RAAF Base Tindal
| RAAF Base Tindal | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
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| Characteristics | |||
| ICAO code | YPTN | ||
| IATA code | KTR | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Height above MSL | 145 m (476 ft ) | ||
| Transport links | |||
| Distance from the city center | 14 km northwest of Katherine | ||
| Basic data | |||
| opening | 1942 | ||
| operator | Royal Australian Air Force | ||
| Start-and runway | |||
| 14/32 | 2748 m × 50 m asphalt | ||
The RAAF Base Tindal ( ICAO : YPTn , IATA : KTR ) of the Royal Australian Air Force is located 15 kilometers outside of Katherine and 320 road kilometers southeast of Darwin in the Northern Territory . It is the youngest operational base (with the exception of a few so-called bare bases ) of the Australian Air Force and one of the most important defense facilities in Australia.
The base represents about 25% of the population of Katherine.
history
The airfield was built in 1942 and was known as Carson's Airfield during the Pacific War . In the decades after the war, it was expanded for civil flight operations. In 1984 the government decided to set up an Air Force base in Katherine , which was then named after Archibald R. Tindal . The distance to the sea ensures a relative safety from tropical cyclones. Tindal officially opened on October 1, 1988.
Todays use
Today (2018) RAAF Base Tindal is home to a flying squadron, the 75th Squadron with their F / A-18 Hornet , as well as various support units of the air force.
In addition to the RAAF, a detachment of the North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) of the Australian Army is stationed here.
future
The remaining P-3s stationed at RAAF Base Edinburgh are to be replaced by six MQ-4Cs from 2023 . Although the drones will also be stationed in Edinburgh, Tindal is intended as an advanced deployment base. A total of AUD 346 million will be invested in both bases .
