RAAF base robbed by woman

Police are on the hunt for a woman who robbed a bank on the grounds of an RAAF base in Richmond, NSW, forcing the base into lockdown.

The robbery occurred around 3.30pm on Friday at one of Australia's largest military bases, about 50km northwest of Sydney's CBD.

The base, home to an intelligence unit and the C-130 Hercules squadron, is protected by a private security firm.

The woman, believed to be 20-years-old, allegedly carried a gun into the building and threatened a female staff member and demanded money.

She then fled the scene with cash and the heavily fortified base went into lockdown, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Officers from the Hawkesbury Local Area Command were called to establish a crime scene and are currently on the search for the woman seen wearing a black jumper, black cargo pants, black boots, a black balaclava and a black backpack.

Richmond Airbase is one of the biggest in Australia, housing its own credit union, a post office and a public transport network.

No arrests have been made.

Sources: NSW Police, The Sydney Morning Herald
Author: Nicholas McCallum, Approving editor: Nick Pearson