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| Australia Increases RAAF Base To Accommodate 6 US B-52 Bombers |
International Military - Australia is upgrading the Royal Australian Air Force Base (RAAF) located in the northern region of the Australian Continent, to better accommodate US Air Force (USAF) B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers. This is part of an increased deployment of the USAF's six strategic bomber fleets in a broad deterrence of potential conflict with China.
The presence of US strategic bombers in Australia is nothing new. In August, four B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were also deployed to Australia. However, the upgrade of special facilities at the base will make the regular deployment of the very large B-52 bombers much more efficient.
ABC News reported that Tindal's RAAF upgrade work was being funded by the US government. Base upgrades include an expanded apron to accommodate six B-52s, squadron operations facilities and maintenance infrastructure.
Upon completion, the airbase will be much more capable of hosting bomber detachments, as well as tankers and fighter planes, wrote The Drive.
Upgrades also include a fuel and ammunition storage area and a mission planning building. Currently, Tindal is the permanent home to a squadron of RAAF F-35A stealth fighters.