Exercise Pitch Black 2024 Takes Off

12 Juli 2024

Thailand send five JAS-39 Gripen fighter (photo: RTAF)

Australia’s biggest international air combat training activity, Exercise Pitch Black, will take to the skies over the Northern Territory from 12 July to 2 August.

With approximately 140 aircraft and over 4000 personnel from 20 nations participating, this year’s iteration of Exercise Pitch Black is the largest participation in its 43-year history.

Singapore send F-16 C/D and F-15 SG fighters (photo: Aus DoD) 

This exercise exposes participants to complex scenarios whilst utilising some of the most advanced aircraft and battlespace systems, in one of the biggest areas of military training airspace in the world.

For the first time, aircraft and personnel from Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Papua New Guinea and embedded personnel from Fiji and Brunei will participate in the exercise.

Philippine send four FA-50PH fighter (photo: Aus DoD)

In addition, aircraft from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States; and embedded personnel from Canada and New Zealand will also participate.

Aircraft will operate from RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional tanker and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

Malaysia send three FA-18D fighter (photo: Aus DoD)

“Exercise Pitch Black is our premier activity for international engagement, held every two years to build stronger ties with like-minded nations,” Exercise Director Air Commodore Peter Robinson said.

Papua New Guinea send PAC P-750XL aircraft (photo: Aus DoD)

“Training with our partner nations throughout Exercise Pitch Black demonstrates our commitment to the shared value of sustaining peace and stability across the region.

Japand send F-2 fighter (photo: Aus DoD)

“The Northern Territory is a big part of what makes this exercise a success, and allows visitors a unique opportunity to experience Australia.”

Italy send AV-8B Harrier, F-35A, and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters (photo: Aus DoD)

“Air Force will show its sincere thanks to our local community through the Mindil Beach flying display on 18 July, and the RAAF Base Darwin Open Day on 20 July.” (Aus DoD)

F-16 of the Indonesian Air Force (photo: Aus DoD)

Delegasi TNI AU Tiba di RAAF Base Darwin

Delegasi TNI AU pada latihan Air Manuever Exercise (AMX) Pitch Black 2024 tiba di Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, Kamis (11/7/24).

Setibanya di RAAF Base Darwin, delegasi TNI AU yang dipimpin oleh Head of Delegation, Kolonel Pnb M. Anjar Legowo dan Exercise Director, Kolonel Pnb Marcellinus Ardha Kilat Dirgantara, MMSc disambut oleh Direktur Latihan AMX Pitch Black 2024, Air Commodore Peter Robinson.

Indonesia send six F-16 A/B/C/D fighter (photo: Aus DoD) 

Latihan Pitch Black merupakan latihan perang multinasional yang diselenggarakan RAAF dua tahun sekali dengan tujuan meningkatkan kemampuan dan interoperabilitas angkatan udara negara-negara peserta.

Latihan melibatkan 140 pesawat dari 20 negara, termasuk Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Kanada, Fiji, Prancis, Jerman, India, Indonesia, Italia, Jepang, Malaysia, Selandia Baru, Papua Nugini, Filipina, Korea Selatan, Spanyol, Singapura, Thailand, Inggris, dan Amerika Serikat.

Dalam latihan ini, TNI AU mengerahkan enam pesawat tempur F-16 Fighting Falcon dan 107 personel, yang terdiri dari 12 personel Kolat, 22 penerbang, dan 73 ground crew.

Partisipasi TNI AU menunjukkan komitmen untuk memperkuat kerjasama militer dan diplomasi pertahanan, serta meningkatkan kemampuan tempur dan kesiapsiagaan dalam menghadapi berbagai ancaman keamanan di masa depan. (TNI AU)