Nowra

The site (176 km s of Sydney) was selected in 1938 to provide an advanced air defence base and a civil airfield for the surrounding area. Built and largely opened in 1940, the base was taken over by the Australian Department for Air in Jan 1941. By Sep 1941 it had been further upgraded as a result of international tension in the Pacific and it was commissioned as RAAF Nowra in May 1942. A war programme of improvement to the buildings was commenced and in May 1942, the UK Fleet Air Arm began flying from here to support its maritime operations in the south west Pacific, leaving in Mar 1946, when the base was returned to RAAF Control. A post-war decision was made in 1947 to form the RAN Fleet Air Arm and to retain the base as a headquarters and operations establishment. On 31 Aug 1948, it commissioned as RANAS Nowra ( HMAS Albatross ).

Following the building of the control tower in 1950, significant development has occurred here over the years. As well as a significant RAN presence, the base is home to a small RAAF contingent, the Australian Army Parachute Training School (from 1986), an RNZAF unit and the joint ANZAC Squadron. The base is situated within easy reach of the Fleet exercise area off Jervis Bay and its associated ranges.  The base is also home to Australia's Museum of Flight.