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RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton . Both bases previously existed as separate RAAF Bases (RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Base Laverton) until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams. RAAF WILLIAMS POINT COOK BASE Point Cook was purchased by the government in 1913 with the vision to form what would become the Australian Flying Corps . Due to the success of the AFC in the First World War, the AFC became a separate service, the Royal Australian Air Force . Point Cook remained the RAAF's only base until 1925 when RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Laverton were built. Point Cook is considered the birthplace and the spiritual home of the RAAF. It contains a memorial parade ground which was built in the 1920s, a site which was previously used by the AFC for drill training. Point Cook still has an operating airfield, but military operations are generally restricted to the Museum based there. The airfield is used by a number of General Aviation users, although it is still classified as a military aerodrome. It is the longest continuously operating military aerodrome in the world. RAAF Williams Point Cook base is the home of the RAAF College including Officers Training School (OTS) and the RAAF Museum. All administrative functions of the base is located at the Laverton base, and there is a single mess service (Officers Mess Annexe) which provides a meal service to all personnel, and a bar service to OTS students only. OTS is due to relocate to RAAF Base East Sale within the next five years, at which time Point Cook is expected to be decomissioned as a RAAF Base. RAAF WILLIAMS LAVERTON BASE Laverton is the third oldest RAAF base, being built at the same time as RAAF Base Richmond , which was opened slightly before Laverton. It is no longer an operational airfield. The airfield has been fully fenced off from the domestic area of the base pending future sale and is no longer in a condition to be used operationally. Laverton is the home of Headquarters Training Command. It also contains all the administrative functions of RAAF Williams. Other units at Laverton are the ADF School of Languages, Defence International Training Centre (DITC), Director General Technical Airworthiness, 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron (RAAF Active Reserve) and a number of smaller sub-units. It also hosts an element of 8/7 Royal Victorial Regiment , Australian Army Reserve . When Point Cook is decomissioned Laverton will revert to a single base, although it is unknown if it will adopt the name RAAF Base Williams or revert to RAAF Base Laverton. There is also the possibility it too may be decomissioned and become a Defence Establishment. UNITS |
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