RAAF Base Scherger: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 12°37′24″S 142°05′12″E / 12.62333°S 142.08667°E / -12.62333; 142.08667
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox airport
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAAF Scherger
| name = RAAF Base Scherger
| ensign =
| ensign_size =
| native_name =
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location =
| nearest_town = {{QLDcity|Weipa}}, [[Queensland]]<!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country = Australia
| image = RAAF Base Scherger gate (5423526507).jpg
| image = RAAF Base Scherger gate (5423526507).jpg
| image-width =
| image_size = 300
| alt =
| caption = Gate to RAAF Scherger
| caption = Gate to RAAF Scherger
| image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| type = [[Military airfield|Military air base]]
| coordinates = {{coord|12|37|24|S|142|05|12|E|region:AU|display=inline,title}}<!-- {{Coord}} -->
| gridref =
| image_map =
| image_mapsize =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Queensland
| pushpin_mapsize = 300
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Queensland]]
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_image =
| pushpin_label = RAAF Base Scherger<br/>''YBSG''
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_mark =
| pushpin_marksize =
| ownership = [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]]<!-- government department such as the MoD or the United States DoD -->
| operator = {{no wrap|{{air force|Australia}}}}<!-- where different from ownership such as the RAF or the USAF -->
| controlledby = <!-- such as RAF Bomber Command or the Eighth Air Force -->
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities - radar types etc -->
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY}} -->
| used = {{start date|1998|08|05|df=y}}{{spaced endash}} ''present''<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder =
| materials =
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition =
| battles =
| events =
| current_commander = <!-- current commander -->
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| website = {{URL|http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFBases/Queensland/RAAF-Base-Scherger/?RAAF-cF5tPCYx3ni0//nxxoZUPYZrFJcZGlnp|RAAF Base Scherger}}
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code -->
}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = RAAF Base Scherger
| image =
| image-width =
| caption =
| IATA =
| IATA =
| ICAO = YBSG
| ICAO = YBSG
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| location = Weipa, Queensland
| location = Weipa, Queensland
| elevation-f = 145
| elevation-f = 145
| coordinates = {{coord|12|37|24|S|142|05|12|E|region:AU|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|12|37|24|S|142|05|12|E|region:AU|display=inline}}
| pushpin_map = Queensland
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label = YBSG
| pushpin_label =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Queensland
| pushpin_map_caption =
| website =
| website =
| metric-rwy = y
| metric-rwy = y
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}}
}}


'''RAAF Base Scherger''' {{Airport codes|YBSG}} is the newest of the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]'s three [[RAAF bare bases|'bare bases']], completing a chain of bases across Australia’s 'top end'. Located {{Convert|26|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Weipa, Queensland|Weipa]] on the western side of [[Cape York Peninsula]] in [[Queensland]], it was constructed by troops drawn mainly from the [[17th Construction Squadron (Australia)|17th Construction Squadron]], in what is believed to have been the biggest project undertaken by the [[Royal Australian Engineers]] at the time. It was opened on 5 August 1998 by the [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]], [[John Howard]].<ref name=sappernews>{{cite journal|title=Prime Minister Opens RAAF Base Scherger |journal=Sapper News: The Royal Australian Engineers Newsletter |volume=8 |issue=2 |date=August 1998 |pages=1–3}}</ref>
'''RAAF Base Scherger''' {{Airport codes|YBSG}} is a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) [[military airfield|military air base]] located approximately {{Convert|26|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Weipa, Queensland|Weipa]] on the western side of [[Cape York Peninsula]] in [[Queensland]], Australia. One of three [[RAAF bare bases|'bare bases']] completing a chain of bases across Australia’s 'top end', the base is occupied by a caretaker staff and can be activated at relatively short notice. The base was constructed by troops drawn mainly from the [[17th Construction Squadron (Australia)|17th Construction Squadron]], in what is believed to have been the biggest project undertaken by the [[Royal Australian Engineers]] at the time.


As a 'bare base' Scherger's role is to provide the RAAF and other services with the necessary infrastructure to support forward deployed forces during a crisis. The base is named in honour of [[Air chief marshal (Australia)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Frederick Scherger|Sir Frederick Scherger]] who was the Australian Chief of the Air Staff (now known as [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of Air Force]]) from March 1957 to May 1961 and the equivalent of what is now [[Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Chief of the Defence Force]] from 1961 to 1966.
Opened on 5 August 1998 by the [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]], [[John Howard]],<ref name=sappernews>{{cite journal|title=Prime Minister Opens RAAF Base Scherger |journal=Sapper News: The Royal Australian Engineers Newsletter |volume=8 |issue=2 |date=August 1998 |pages=1–3}}</ref> the base was named in honour of [[Air chief marshal (Australia)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Frederick Scherger|Sir Frederick Scherger]] who was the Australian Chief of the Air Staff (now known as [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of Air Force]]) from March 1957 to May 1961<ref name=Aust>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/ghost-raaf-defence-base-scherger-a-bare-bones-facility/news-story/358e32699f3ddaa8e2ea8b4eb21b7a1d |title='Ghost' RAAF defence base Scherger a bare-bones facility |work=[[The Australian]] |author=Dodd, Mark |date=18 September 2010 |access-date=27 August 2017 }}</ref> and the equivalent of what is now [[Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Chief of the Defence Force]] from 1961 to 1966.


==Role and facilities==
While the base has facilities to cater for 400 personnel in fixed accommodation, 1,000 personnel in tent lines and about 40 aircraft, it is normally only manned by four Air Force personnel who are responsible for caretaker duties. During peacetime RAAF Base Scherger hosts, on average, one major exercise per year in which the base is fully activated through the arrival of RAAF units based elsewhere in Australia.
As a 'bare base' Scherger's role is to provide the RAAF and other services with the necessary infrastructure to support forward deployed forces during a crisis. While the base has facilities to cater for 400 personnel in fixed accommodation, 1,000 personnel in tent lines and about 40 aircraft, it is normally only manned by four Air Force personnel who are responsible for caretaker duties.<ref name=Aust/> During peacetime RAAF Base Scherger hosts, on average, one major exercise per year in which the base is fully activated through the arrival of RAAF units based elsewhere in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/id/_Master/docs/NCRP/QLD/1218RAAFSchergerQLD.pdf |title=RAAF Base Scherger |work=[[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]] |publisher=Australian Government |date=1 October 2003 |access-date=26 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005080805/http://web.senate@aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/army/NT_ch2.pdf |work=Report of Visit to Defence Establishments in Northern Australia |title=Chapter 2: Northern Territory |archive-url=http://web.senate@aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/army/NT_ch2.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2009 |publisher=[[Parliament of Australia]] |date=1999 |access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>


== Scherger Immigration Detention Centre ==
=== Scherger Immigration Detention Centre ===
In October 2010, the Scherger [[Australian immigration detention facilities| Immigration Detention Centre]] was opened at Scherger RAAF Base, this facility provided accommodation for 300 single adult males.{{cn|date=September 2015}} It closed in 2014.<ref name=aap>{{cite news |last1=Ireland|first1=Judith |title=Scott Morrison announces closure of four immigration detention centres |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-announces-closure-of-four-immigration-detention-centres-20140114-30rys.html |accessdate=30 July 2015 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|agency=AAP|date=14 January 2014}}</ref>
In October 2010, the Scherger [[Australian immigration detention facilities| Immigration Detention Centre]] was opened at Scherger RAAF Base, and this facility provided accommodation for 300 single adult males.<ref name=Aust/> The centre closed in 2014.<ref name=aap>{{cite news |last1=Ireland|first1=Judith |title=Scott Morrison announces closure of four immigration detention centres |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-announces-closure-of-four-immigration-detention-centres-20140114-30rys.html |accessdate=30 July 2015 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]] |date=14 January 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Royal Australian Air Force|Queensland|Aviation}}}}
* [[List of airports in Queensland]]
* [[List of airports in Queensland]]
* [[List of Royal Australian Air Force installations]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{URL|http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFBases/Queensland/RAAF-Base-Scherger/?RAAF-cF5tPCYx3ni0//nxxoZUPYZrFJcZGlnp|RAAF Base Scherger}} at {{URL|airforce.gov.au}}
*Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade [https://web.archive.org/web/20091005080805/http://web.senate@aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/army/NT_ch2.pdf Report of Visit to Defence Establishments in Northern Australia]
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/kakadu/images/gallery/20050805a/index.htm Exercise Kakadu VII]
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/kakadu/images/gallery/20050805a/index.htm Exercise Kakadu VII]{{dead-link|date=August 2017}}
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4715/features/feature03g.htm ''Air Force News'': "Going Active"]
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4715/features/feature03g.htm ''Air Force News'': "Going Active"]{{dead-link|date=August 2017}}
*[http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/HistoryRecord/HistoryRecordDetail.aspx?rid=102 RAAF Base Scherger opened near Weipa]
*[http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/HistoryRecord/HistoryRecordDetail.aspx?rid=102 RAAF Base Scherger opened near Weipa]{{dead-link|date=August 2017}}
*[http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/detention/facilities/locations/scherger/ Scherger Immigration Detention Centre]
*[http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/detention/facilities/locations/scherger/ Scherger Immigration Detention Centre]


Revision as of 11:59, 27 August 2017

RAAF Base Scherger
Near Weipa, Queensland in Australia
Gate to RAAF Scherger
RAAF Base Scherger YBSG is located in Queensland
RAAF Base Scherger YBSG
RAAF Base Scherger
YBSG
Location in Queensland
Coordinates12°37′24″S 142°05′12″E / 12.62333°S 142.08667°E / -12.62333; 142.08667
TypeMilitary air base
Site information
OwnerDepartment of Defence
Operator Royal Australian Air Force
WebsiteRAAF Base Scherger
Site history
In use5 August 1998 (1998-08-05) – present
RAAF Base Scherger
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OperatorRAAF
LocationWeipa, Queensland
Elevation AMSL145 ft / 44 m
Coordinates12°37′24″S 142°05′12″E / 12.62333°S 142.08667°E / -12.62333; 142.08667
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
12/30 3,049 10,003 Asphalt
Sources: AIP[1]

RAAF Base Scherger (IATA: YBSG) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base located approximately 26 km (16 mi) east of Weipa on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. One of three 'bare bases' completing a chain of bases across Australia’s 'top end', the base is occupied by a caretaker staff and can be activated at relatively short notice. The base was constructed by troops drawn mainly from the 17th Construction Squadron, in what is believed to have been the biggest project undertaken by the Royal Australian Engineers at the time.

Opened on 5 August 1998 by the Prime Minister, John Howard,[2] the base was named in honour of Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger who was the Australian Chief of the Air Staff (now known as Chief of Air Force) from March 1957 to May 1961[3] and the equivalent of what is now Chief of the Defence Force from 1961 to 1966.

Role and facilities

As a 'bare base' Scherger's role is to provide the RAAF and other services with the necessary infrastructure to support forward deployed forces during a crisis. While the base has facilities to cater for 400 personnel in fixed accommodation, 1,000 personnel in tent lines and about 40 aircraft, it is normally only manned by four Air Force personnel who are responsible for caretaker duties.[3] During peacetime RAAF Base Scherger hosts, on average, one major exercise per year in which the base is fully activated through the arrival of RAAF units based elsewhere in Australia.[4][5]

Scherger Immigration Detention Centre

In October 2010, the Scherger Immigration Detention Centre was opened at Scherger RAAF Base, and this facility provided accommodation for 300 single adult males.[3] The centre closed in 2014.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ YBSG – Scherger (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 21 March 2024
  2. ^ "Prime Minister Opens RAAF Base Scherger". Sapper News: The Royal Australian Engineers Newsletter. 8 (2): 1–3. August 1998.
  3. ^ a b c Dodd, Mark (18 September 2010). "'Ghost' RAAF defence base Scherger a bare-bones facility". The Australian. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  4. ^ "RAAF Base Scherger" (PDF). Department of Defence. Australian Government. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  5. ^ Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (1999). "Chapter 2: Northern Territory" (PDF). Report of Visit to Defence Establishments in Northern Australia. Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  6. ^ Ireland, Judith (14 January 2014). "Scott Morrison announces closure of four immigration detention centres". Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. Retrieved 30 July 2015.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RAAF_Base_Scherger&oldid=797496513"