Delivering Battlefield Airlifter Facilities at RAAF Base Amberley

Challenge

Defense acquired the first aircraft in its fleet of C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlifters in 2015, initiating a major program of work to enable the relocation of No. 35 Squadron from New South Wales to RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

The multi-phase project involved developing new capability support and sustainment infrastructure for the squadron, as well as new and upgraded facilities for Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley. As the base was already home to several strategic Defense capabilities, introducing new personnel and facilities required careful phasing so Royal Australian Air Force operations could be maintained throughout delivery.

Solution

Tetra Tech helped shape the delivery of infrastructure to support the introduction of the new airlift capability into service.

We delivered dedicated facilities for No. 35 Squadron, including working accommodation, hangars, and aprons. In addition, we supported substantial upgrades to base infrastructure and facilities, including transit accommodation, a fire station, base briefing room, heritage building relocation and Australian Air Force Cadet facilities displaced by the new No. 35 Squadron facilities.

Throughout the project, the team worked through challenges relating to scope, budget, site issues, environmental and heritage requirements, and the need to ensure all facilities were fit for Defence purposes. Taking six years to develop and deliver, the final phase of work was handed over to Defence in June 2019.