Pitch Black, signing off

Exercise Pitch Black concluded on August 7 after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training in the skies over Australia's Top End.

Pitch Black is RAAF's biennial international air combat exercise and, this year, more than 2500 personnel and 100 aircraft from 21 partner nations honed their ability to work together. 

Operating predominantly from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the NT, as well as RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, participating nations conducted complex air combat missions across one of the world's largest military training areas.

This year’s exercise involved the debut of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A Lightning II and Indian Air Force Rafale. 

Exercise Commander Pitch Black 26 AIRCDRE Matthew McCormack said the exercise delivered significant operational and relationship-building outcomes for all participating nations.

“The feedback from all international partners and our own people alike was that Exercise Pitch Black 26 was a world-class air combat training activity,” AIRCDRE McCormack said.

“Exercise Pitch Black brings together air forces from across the globe to plan together, fight together and learn together through realistic and complex training scenarios.

“The value of this exercise comes from the experience we've built with our international partners and the friendships and relationships we've created with them on the ground and in the air.

“As the commander of the exercise, I am proud to see the conduct of a safe activity and one where every member from every nation achieved the training objectives they sought.”

Pitch Black’s emphasis on cooperation, from the individual level through to how nations work together during air operations, contributes to a secure, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

Throughout the exercise, the NT community once again had the opportunity to see participating aircraft in the air and on the ground and meet military personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

AIRCDRE McCormack thanked the NT community for its continued support of the exercise, which has been held since 1981, and home to Darwin since 1983.

“We're very grateful for the communities of the NT, who are supportive of this vital training for our aviators,” AIRCDRE McCormack said.

“We had more than 30,000 people at the Mindil Beach Flying Display on July 23, welcomed 25,500 visitors to the RAAF Base Darwin Open Day on August 1, and engaged with more than 2200 children through school and community activities supported by our international partners.

“The opportunity for us and local communities to interact with personnel from across the world is a unique aspect of Pitch Black and helped strengthen the enduring friendships that underpin our defence partnerships.

“The enthusiasm and hospitality shown by Territorians also made Pitch Black memorable for our visiting personnel and demonstrated Australia's commitment to working with partners and allies in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous region.”

Communities can expect a reduction in flying activity following the conclusion of Pitch Black, however military aircraft operations will continue throughout August. 

The Republic of Singapore Air Force will continue to exercise from Darwin with F-16  and F-15 fighter jets.

Pitch Black remains a critical training activity that strengthens relationships among partners and allies, and builds interoperability through the training scenarios.