Newcastle and Williamtown to host major Defence air show

One of the RAAF’s first two F-35As flies formation with 2OCU’s CO jet when they visited Australia for the 2017 Avalon Airshow. (Image: Defence)

The RAAF has announced a major air show for Newcastle and the nearby RAAF Williamtown air base later this year.

Slated for the weekend of 18 and 19 November, the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 will feature flying displays over Newcastle beaches and rivers on the Saturday, followed by a ticketed ground display at RAAF Base Williamtown on the Sunday.

“RAAF Base Williamtown has been a part of the community since opening in 1941, at the time providing protection for the Hunter region’s strategic port and steel manufacturing facilities during World War II,” said the head of RAAF air shows, Air Commodore Micka Gray.

“Air Force is proud to work with the City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council to showcase the people and military capabilities, and to extend our sincere gratitude to the community for its support.

“The flying displays in Newcastle, and the open day at the base, aim not only to strengthen our relationship with the community, but offer insight into the vital role the ADF plays in ensuring the security of our nation.”

Williamtown, which houses most of the RAAF’s new F-35A Lightning II fighters, is the main training base for the Air Force’s fighter pilots. The last air show at the base, in 2010, attracted around 52,000 people.

The airbase, along with the co-located civilian facilities at Newcastle Airport, has been undergoing upgrades.