RAAF Base Edinburgh

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title: "RAAF Base Edinburgh" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["royal-australian-air-force-bases", "buildings-and-structures-in-adelaide", "airports-in-south-australia", "military-airbases-established-in-1954", "military-installations-in-south-australia", "1954-establishments-in-australia"] description: "Australian military airbase in South Australia" topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Base_Edinburgh" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian military airbase in South Australia ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox military installation"]

Field	Value
name	RAAF Base Edinburgh
partof
location	, Adelaide, South Australia
nearest_town
country	Australia
image	[[File:Squadron no.11 P-8A Poseidons at RAAF Base Edinburgh.jpg
caption	Five P-8A Poseidons of No. 11 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
image2	[[File:RAAF Edinburgh crest.png
caption2	The crest of RAAF Edinburgh
type	Military air base
coordinates
pushpin_map	South Australia
pushpin_mapsize	300
pushpin_map_caption	Location in South Australia
pushpin_relief	1
pushpin_label	RAAF Base Edinburgh YPED
ownership	Department of Defence
operator
controlledby
open_to_public
site_other_label
site_other
site_area
code
used	22 March 1954
height
length
fate
current_commander
past_commanders
garrison
occupants
website
ICAO	YPED
elevation	67 ft
r1-number	04/22
r1-length	1962 m
r1-surface	Grass
r2-number	18/36
r2-length	2560 m
r2-surface	Asphalt
airfield_other_label
airfield_other
footnotes	Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart
::

| name = RAAF Base Edinburgh | ensign = | ensign_size = | native_name = | partof = | location = , Adelaide, South Australia | nearest_town = | country = Australia | image = [[File:Squadron no.11 P-8A Poseidons at RAAF Base Edinburgh.jpg|300px|Squadron no.11 P-8A Poseidons at RAAF Base Edinburgh.]] | alt = | caption = Five P-8A Poseidons of No. 11 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh. | image2 = [[File:RAAF Edinburgh crest.png|70px]] | alt2 = | caption2 = The crest of RAAF Edinburgh | type = Military air base | coordinates = | gridref = | image_map = | image_mapsize = | image_map_alt = | image_map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Australia | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in South Australia | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_image = | pushpin_label = RAAF Base Edinburgh YPED | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_marksize = | ownership = Department of Defence | operator = | controlledby = | open_to_public = | site_other_label = | site_other = | site_area = | code = | built = | used = 22 March 1954 | builder = | materials = | height = | length = | fate = | condition = | battles = | events = | current_commander = | past_commanders = | garrison = | occupants = | website = | IATA = | ICAO = YPED | FAA = | TC = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation = 67 ft | r1-number = 04/22 | r1-length = 1962 m | r1-surface = Grass | r2-number = 18/36 | r2-length = 2560 m | r2-surface = Asphalt | airfield_other_label = | airfield_other = | footnotes = Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart

RAAF Base Edinburgh is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military airbase located in Edinburgh approximately 28 km north of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia and forms part of the Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

Edinburgh is one of two defence 'super bases' in Australia, home to over 3,500 personnel from both the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Army. The base is home to No 92 Wing and their Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's region of interest. In addition, No. 9 Squadron at Edinburgh remotely pilot the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of drones, such as the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, as well as a range of other undisclosed activities.

RAAF Edinburgh is notably home to the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Coordination Centre, the RAAF Air Warfare Centre, and the Australian Battlespace Surveillance Centre, making Edinburgh one of the most strategically important defence bases in Australia. The base has over the past decade become home to elements of the 1st Brigade of the Australian Army.

History

The construction of RAAF Base Edinburgh commenced in 1953 and it was officially opened 22 March 1954 as a support base for weapons development at the joint UK-Australian Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) at Woomera and Maralinga. The support base had previously been based at a small Edinburgh Airfield and at RAAF Base Mallala. The base was located alongside the wartime Salisbury Explosives Factory, in open fields between the then country villages of Salisbury (to the south) and Smithfield (to the north). At about the same time, the satellite town of Elizabeth was being established (to the east).

Support for WRE testing activities had greatly reduced by the late 1960s. In 1968, No. 11 Squadron relocated to Edinburgh operating Orions. In the late 1970s, No. 10 Squadron also operating Orions relocated to Edinburgh and a maritime patrol wing No. 92 Wing was established at Edinburgh making it the primary base for Australia's maritime reconnaissance operations. RAAF Base Edinburgh has since been home to No 1 Recruit Training Unit, the Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).

Originally, RAAF Edinburgh and the DSTO were located in Salisbury, (subsequently the suburb of Salisbury – Postcode 5108), in the City of Salisbury. In 1997, the Department of Defence decided to rationalise the then "DSTO Salisbury" site and sell off about 70% of the site, and surrounding "Defence-owned" Crown land, to form the "Edinburgh Parks" industrial estate. The suburb of Salisbury was split in two, with the part containing the RAAF Base and DSTO renamed "Edinburgh" (after the RAAF Base). The new suburb was assigned the Postcode 5111.

On 5 December 2003, stage one of the redevelopment of the base was opened including facilities for the newly formed Aerospace Operational Support Group, and for the Aircraft Research and Development Unit which had relocated from DSTO Salisbury, and for Defence Materiel Organisation units - the Maritime Patrol System Program office and the Aeronautical Life Support Logistics Management Unit.

In August 2012, stage two of the redevelopment of the base was completed including a new air traffic control tower and facilities for No. 462 Squadron, which had relocated from Canberra, and for No. 87 Squadron.

On 19 November 2017, the Defence Minister announced that the base would be upgraded to operate the P-8A Poseidon including new facilities, infrastructure and airfield works with a strengthened and extended runway (by 275 m).

In November 2019, the base held the 'Edinburgh Air Show 2019' over two days the 9th and 10th.

In May 2023, it was revealed that the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery would be relocating from their Woodside Barracks to purpose-built facilities at Edinburgh once completed, to accommodate the new NASAMS ground-based air defence systems.

On 5 September 2024, construction began on a $200m 'Deep Maintaince and Modification Facility' at Edinburgh to support the long-term maintaince, sustainment, and modification of the Royal Australian Air Force's P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleet. Expected completion in 2026.

Environmental contamination

In 2016 concerns were raised about perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in fire fighting foams at the base until 2004, being found in groundwater at the base and in nearby wetlands. A 2014 report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency described PFOA and PFOS as emergent contaminants that are "extremely persistent in the environment and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes" and which consequently pose "potential adverse effects for the environment and human health" due to their toxicity, mobility, and ability to bioaccumulate.

Current Air Force units

::data[format=table]

Unit	Full name	Force Element Group	Aircraft	Notes	Cadet Units
HQ92WG	Headquarters No 92 Wing	Surveillance and Response Group
10SQN	No. 10 Squadron	Surveillance and Response Group	AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft
11SQN	No. 11 Squadron	Surveillance and Response Group	Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
292SQN	No. 292 Squadron	Surveillance and Response Group		Operational conversion unit
1RSU	No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit	Surveillance and Response Group		Jindalee Operational Radar Network
453SQN EDN FLT	No. 453 Squadron Edinburgh Flight	Surveillance and Response Group		Air traffic control
24SQN	No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron	Combat Support Group		Airbase support
3SECFOR SQN	No 3 Security Forces Squadron	Combat Support Group
1CCS EDN FLT	No 1 Combat Communication Squadron Flight Edinburgh	Combat Support Group
2EHS DET EDN	No 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment Edinburgh	Combat Support Group
	Headquarters Air Warfare Centre	Air Warfare Centre
	Air Force Ranges Directorate	Air Warfare Centre
AWR	Air Force Air Weapon Ranges	Air Warfare Centre
AFTRSQN	Air Force Test Range Squadron	Air Warfare Centre
	Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) simulation	Air Warfare Centre
	Information Warfare Directorate	Air Warfare Centre
JEWOSU	Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit	Air Warfare Centre
87SQN	No. 87 Squadron	Air Warfare Centre
462SQN	No. 462 Squadron	Air Warfare Centre		Cyber warfare/Information security
AITU	Air Intelligence Training Unit	Air Warfare Centre
	Tactics and Training Directorate	Air Warfare Centre
88SQN	No. 88 Squadron	Air Warfare Centre
	Air Warfare School	Air Warfare Centre
	Test and Evaluation Directorate	Air Warfare Centre RAAF	Air Warfare Centre
ARDU	Aircraft Research and Development Unit	Air Warfare Centre
AWESQN	Air Warfare Engineering Squadron	Air Warfare Centre
IAM	Institute of Aviation Medicine	Air Warfare Centre
HQ6WG	6 Wing - Headquarters	Australian Air Force Cadets		Cadet Headquarters Unit
613SQN	613 Squadron - Edinburgh	Australian Air Force Cadets		Cadet Unit
::

Army 1st Brigade

The Hardened and Networked Army plan was announced in December 2005 to relocate elements of the Australian Army's 1st Brigade to RAAF Base Edinburgh which was later altered by the Enhanced Land Force plan released in August 2006 changing the mechanised infantry battalion to be relocated. An extensive building program was undertaken to provide new working accommodation and joint Army and RAAF training facilities, a combined mess, fitness, health and community facilities. On 9 September 2011, the new facilities were officially opened with the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) a mechanised infantry battalion housed at Horseshoe Lines. 7 RAR had relocated from Robertson Barracks in Darwin earlier in the year in January. The new facilities housed other relocated units including the 102nd (Coral) Battery from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 9th Field Squadron from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, 1st Combat Services Support Team from 1st Combat Service Support Battalion and a detachment from Headquarters 1st Brigade.

In November 2017, the 1st Armoured Regiment relocated from Robertson Barracks to Chauvel Lines at RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the Plan Beersheba reorganisation of the Army. D Squadron had earlier relocated in January 2014.

Current Army units

The following units are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh:

• 1st Brigade Headquarters (Southern Detachment)
  • 1st Armoured Regiment
    • Headquarters Squadron
    • A Squadron – Cavalry (equipped with the ASLAV)
    • B Squadron – Tank (equipped with the M1A1 Abrams)
    • C Squadron – Cavalry (equipped with the ASLAV)
    • Support Squadron
  • 1st Combat Service Support Team (1st Combat Service Support Battalion)

References

References

1. "Welcome to Edinburgh Defence Precinct - Annual Handbook 2020". RAAFANSW Publications.
2. {{AIP AU. YPED
3. "Mallala".
4. The wartime Salisbury Explosives Factory became the [[Long Range Weapons Establishment]], subsequently the [[Weapons Research Establishment]] (WRE), the Defence Research Centre, Salisbury (DRCS), the [[Defence Science and Technology Organisation]] (DSTO), and (2015 name change) Defence Science and Technology (DST).
5. "Edinburgh".
6. (5 December 2003). "$14 Million Redevelopment for RAAF Edinburgh".
7. "RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment".
8. (28 May 2009). "$99.56 Million for New Facilities Facilities and Infrastructure at RAAF Base Edinburgh".
9. (19 November 2017). "Defence invests $659 million for new security infrastructure at RAAF Edinburgh".
10. "Air 7000 Phase 2B - Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Project - RAAF Base Edinburgh Works".
11. Rohweder, Sarah. (13 July 2017). "Part of Penfield Road in Adelaide to be closed off so runway at RAAF Base Edinburgh can be extended". [[The Advertiser (Adelaide).
12. "Edinburgh Air Show 2019".
13. (11 May 2023). "Aussie soldiers get first glimpse of NASAMS".
14. (5 September 2024). "Construction begins on a $200 million military aircraft hangar in South Australia".
15. Shepherd, Tory. (15 June 2016). "Turnbull pledges blood tests for RAAF base toxic leak amid Defence probe". The Advertiser.
16. Henson, Elizabeth. (13 October 2016). "Defence Department holds public meeting to inform residents in Adelaide's north about its inquiry into cancer-causing toxins at the Edinburgh RAAF base". The Advertiser.
17. (March 2014). "Emerging Contaminants Fact Sheet – Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)". [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]].
18. "Air Force Capability Guidebook 2019". Royal Australian Air Force.
19. "6 Wing AAFC – SA".
20. "6 Wing AAFC – SA".
21. (February 2006). "Hardened and Networked Army - an Army for now and the future". Department of Defence.
22. (August 2007). "Hardened and Network Army Edinburgh Defence Precinct Facilities - Adelaide, South Australia - Statement of Evidence".
23. (9 September 2011). "Opening of $620 million Horseshoe Barracks at RAAF Base Edinburgh".
24. (29 September 2011). "New facilities 'best in Aus'". Department of Defence.
25. (23 April 2012). "Army Presence in South Australia". Leading by Example / [[Defence SA]].
26. (30 November 2017). "100 years of tank warfare". Department of Defence.
27. (2 November 2017). "1st Armoured Regiment heads south".
28. (28 August 2014). "D Sqn move to APCs". Department of Defence.

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