Did you know that RAAF Base Williams is actually two bases in one? RAAF Williams stands as a testament to Australia’s rich aviation history. It is a unique military air base. It spans two locations, Point Cook and Laverton. They merged in 1989. The name honors Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams. He is known as the father of the RAAF.
RAAF Williams Point Cook is the Royal Australian Air Force birthplace. It is the oldest continually operating military airfield worldwide. The Australian Government purchased the land. This was to create the Australian Flying Corps. The AFC’s success in World War I led to its separation. It became the Royal Australian Air Force. Point Cook was the RAAF’s only base until 1925.
Point Cook is the spiritual home of the RAAF. The Royal Victorian Aero Club was established here. A memorial parade ground exists. It was built in the 1920s. The AFC previously used it for drill training. Point Cook has an operational airfield. Military operations are mainly for the museum. General aviation users also use the airfield. It remains a military aerodrome.
From 1961 to 1985 RAAF Williams Point Cook housed the RAAF College. It included the Officer Training School and the RAAF Academy. Today it hosts the Air Force element of the Australian Defence Force Gap Year Program. RAAF Williams Laverton handles all administrative functions. A single mess service provides meals to all personnel. Gap Year students get bar service.
The RAAF Museum is at Point Cook. It displays ex-RAAF aircraft and military memorabilia. Items range from prewar years to recent decades. The museum is open daily except Mondays.
Laverton is the third oldest RAAF base. It was built in 1925. RAAF Base Richmond opened slightly before it. Laverton is about 7 km from Point Cook. Laverton houses Headquarters Air Force Training Group. It also manages all RAAF Williams administration. The ADF School of Languages is at Laverton. The Defence International Training Centre is there too. No 21 City of Melbourne Squadron and smaller units are present. Elements of the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment also reside here.
In 1946 Laverton hosted Trans Australia Airlines’ first flight. The Douglas DC-3 VH-AES Hawdon had to use the base. Essendon operations were affected by heavy rains. The base hosted the shooting events for the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Laverton’s runway was decommissioned in September 1996. In 2007 the Victorian Government approved developing the former airfield into Williams Landing. Construction began in late 2007. It is due for completion by 2025.
Units at RAAF Williams include Headquarters Air Force Training Group. No 21 City of Melbourne Squadron is also here. The ADF School of Languages operates from here. The Air Force Band is stationed at Laverton. The RAAF Museum and Air Force Heritage Squadron are at Point Cook.
The 1948 Australian Grand Prix was held on Point Cook airfield’s runways. Frank Pratt won driving a BMW 328. Since 1994 RAAF Williams Point Cook has been home to RMIT Flight Training.
Land west of the Williams bases was set aside from 1940 to 1952. It was for a spare grass airfield. The USAAF built hangars in 1942. They left in 1945. The land is now part of the Western Treatment Plant. Two hangars remain. A B-24 Liberator is under restoration in one hangar.
RAAF Williams embodies the spirit of Australian aviation history. It links the past to the present.