 In 1984, the Australian government decided to move the RAAF's fast jet base in the Northern Territory from Darwin to Tindal to more effectively control the sea-air gap, in keeping with its strategic policy of defence in depth.After a major upgrade RAAF Tindal became operational on 1 October 1988, the first new manned base to be established since World War II.It was officially opened on 31 March 1989, the RAAF's 68th anniversary, by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.