Can treat ticks to trauma – Air Force Role 2 Health Facility at Williamson Airfield

The Air Force Role 2 Health Facility (R2HF) currently at the remote Williamson Airfield can treat everything from ticks to trauma. The 35-tent transportable hospital provides a wide range of essential medical support for not just the 1300 personnel to be based at the remote airfield, but for all Joint Warfighting Series exercise participants in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

Delivered by two C-17A Globemasters and road convoy, and constructed on site by health personnel, the Williamson R2HF’s scope extends well beyond routine medical and dentistry. Its services include pathology, physiotherapy, imaging, intensive care, and a surgery-ready emergency department. Collocated with the airfield, it is a key component of the aeromedical evacuation system, facilitating the swift transport of patients by air if required.
Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Troy McGowan, periodontist and the hospital’s operations officer, highlights the R2HF at Williamson as a great example of the Air Force health support system in action. It provides an expeditionary health capability with tailored services, located where they’re required for the exercises.
“What’s unique about this Air Force capability is that it can be customised to fit the mission, and is designed to be transportable by air,” SQNLDR McGowan said.
“What that means is that we can take this hospital and put it anywhere anyone needs it. We can provide the range of health services available to us, to just about any corner of the globe.”
Imagery of the Air Force Role 2 Health Facility at Williamson Airfield is available on the Defence Image Gallery.
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