Exercise Pitch Black Takes Off

20 Agustus 2022

A United States Air Force F-15C Eagle from Kadena Air Force Base in Japan arrives in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 22 (photo : Aus DoD)

The skies over the Top End have filled with aircraft from across the world for the return of Exercise Pitch Black.

From today until 8 September, 16 nations will participate alongside Australia during Exercise Pitch Black in an effort to enhance interoperability and develop strong relationships between participating military forces.

This year over 100 aircraft and 2500 personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, US and UK will take part.

A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon parked on the flight line after arriving at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 22 (photo : Aus DoD)

The Exercise Commander, Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Tim Alsop said the return of Exercise Pitch Black marked an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and to promote regional stability.

“With 16 nations participating, Exercise Pitch Black is an excellent opportunity for RAAF to work with our allies and partners, sharing tactics and procedures that will enhance interoperability between our forces.

“Several countries are participating in Pitch Black for the first time, and we welcome them to the exercise and the magnificent Northern Territory.”

A German Luftwaffe Eurofighter Typhoon taxis on the flight line after arriving at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 22 (photo : Aus DoD)

Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognise Australia’s strong relationships and the high value placed on regional security and fostering close ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

“Pitch Black is a large force employment exercise, driven by fighter combat scenarios. This year, significant efforts have been made to advance the air to air refuelling capability between many of the participating nations.” AIRCDRE Alsop said.

“Air to air refuelling is a force multiplier, providing essential reach to our combat aircraft. Working with many of the participating nations aims to increase our force projection and maximise our capability.”

A KC30A MRTT from the Republic of Korea Air Force arrives at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 22 (photo : Aus DoD)

“We would also like to thank the Northern Territory community for their continued support and interest in Exercise Pitch Black and to welcome all the international participants to the Top End.”

The exercise will include day and night flying and will be undertaken with consideration given to minimise the impact on the local community and the environment.

The exercise will be conducted in the Northern Territory from today until September 8, with forces primarily based from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal with supporting elements at RAAF Amberley. (Aus DoD)

F-16A/B eMLU TNI AU berangkat menuju latihan Pitch Black 2022 (photos : TNI AU) 

Pitch Black 22, TNI AU Kirim 6 Pesawat F-16 Ke RAAF Base Tindal Australia

TNI AU mengirimkan 6 pesawat tempur F-16 Fighting Falcon mengikuti latihan bersama “Pitch Black 22”, di RAAF Base Tindal, NT, Australia.

Puluhan personel yang terdiri dari Kolat, penerbang, dan ground crew telah berangkat dari Lanud Iswahjudi Magetan menuju Darwin, dengan rute Iwj – Eli – Darwin, pada Kamis malam (18/8/2022).

Pesawat F-16 telah diberangkatkan dari Skadron Udara 3 Lanud Iswahjudi, Magetan, sedangkan pesawat F-16 BM Falcon Star eMLU dari Skadron udara 3 telah take off lebih dahulu. Para penerbang terdiri dari gabungan penerbang Skadron Udara 3 dan Skadron Udara 16.

“Pitch Black 22”, merupakan latihan perang udara dua tahunan yang diselenggarakan oleh Angkatan Udara Australia (RAAF), di RAAF Base Tindal, NT, Australia.

Latihan diikuti oleh Angkatan Udara 13 negara, dan akan berlangsung dari 20 Agustus hingga 8 September 2022. Latihan ini bertujuan melatih kemampuan tempur para penerbang, dalam melaksanakan *Offensive Counter Air* (OCA) dan  *Defensive Counter Air* (DCA).

Ke-13 negara peserta yaitu Australia, Amerika Serikat, Indonesia, Jepang, Singapura, India, Korea Selatan, Prancis, New Celedonia, Inggris, Jerman, New Zealand dan Kanada. (TNI AU)