Newcastle Williamtown Air Show inspires
The latest and greatest in Defence capability thrilled almost 85,000 people on November 18 and 19 during the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023.
CAPTION: A RAAF Boeing P-8 Poseidon (left) taxis past two E-7A Wedgetails at RAAF Base Williamtown in readiness for the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.
Head of Air Shows, Air Commodore Micka Gray, said this was the first time the Air Force air show had been held in the Newcastle region since 2010.
“The support and interest shown by the local community to our Air Force people and operations has been fantastic,” Air Commodore Gray said.
“The Air Show flying display and RAAF Base Williamtown Open Day was a fantastic opportunity for the community to see firsthand the capabilities and professionalism of our Air Force.
“We were proud to bring this event to Newcastle and look forward to continuing to build the relationship between Air Force and the people of this region.”
On Saturday, a free community day hosted by the City of Newcastle treated crowds to a morning and afternoon flying display from a range of Air Force aircraft over the picturesque coastline and Newcastle Foreshore.
The first to take to the clear blue skies were historic 100 Squadron aircraft, including the CAC CA-18 Mustang, CA-16 Wirraway, Lockheed Hudson, CAC Canberra Bomber and Supermarine Spitfire.
Then came the thunderous tones of the latest fifth-generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, followed by a range of air mobility, and intelligence, surveillance and renaissance aircraft, including the C-27J Spartan, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker, E-7A Wedgetail, P-8A Poseidon and AP-3C Orion.
CAPTION: Spectators line up to take a tour of the RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport during the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show, RAAF Base Williamtown.
The Roulettes thrilled the crowds with impressive acrobatics in Pilatus PC-21s and were followed by more fighter displays by the EA-18G Growler and F/A-18F Super Hornet.
On Sunday, RAAF Base Williamtown opened its gates to approximately 25,000 people for the ground displays, which included a virtual reality marquee and a range of military equipment from across the ADF and Defence industry.
Event attendees tested their flying skills in flight simulators, engaged in STEM activities and virtual reality displays, and saw the military working dogs in action.
The Air Show was part of the ongoing program of biennial Air Force air shows around Australia.
CAPTION: Spectators enjoy the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aerial display above Nobbys Beach at the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show, 2023.
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