Thailand and Australia Conducted Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025

29 September 2025

RAAF involves with F/A-18F Super Hornets while RTAF with F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen aircraft (photos: Aus DoD)

Exercise Thai Boomerang returns to Thailand

More than 500 participants from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are participating in Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025.

This year’s exercise, which run until 19 September, is the 15th iteration of the bilateral activity.

The exercise provides an opportunity to build upon the rich history and deep defence partnership between Australia and Thailand since 1992.

Primarily run out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, Exercise Thai Boomerang enhances cooperation and interoperability between Australia and Thailand’s Air Forces.

This year’s exercise focuses on dissimilar air combat training and scenarios in large force employment, and close air support of ground forces in a non-confrontational training environment.

The exercise involves F/A-18F Super Hornets from RAAF’s No. 1 Squadron and personnel from No. 4 Squadron working with RTAF F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen aircraft.

Wing Commander Trent Baldry, Commanding Officer No. 1 Squadron, emphasised the importance of Exercise Thai Boomerang.

“Exercise Thai Boomerang is a valuable opportunity to learn from one another through combined air combat training. The profiles and scenarios are from across the spectrum of combat air power,” Wing Commander Baldry said.

“Defence engagements, like Exercise Thai Boomerang, foster friendship and rapport between RAAF and RTAF aviators at all levels. We look forward to training side by side, as we have done for many years.”

(Aus DoD)