Australia hosts one of Asia-Pacific's largest air force exercises

By Lidia Kelly

 

A supplied photo shows a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan next to a No. 36 Squadron C-17 Globemaster III ahead of Exercise Pitch Black 2018 at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Australia, July 23, 2018. Picture taken July 23, 2018. Australian Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

 

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The skies over Australia's northern coastline were filled with air force pilot top guns from 16 nations on Saturday in one of Asia-Pacific's largest air force training exercises.

 

The tropical northern city of Darwin is hosting 4,000 personnel and 140 aircraft over the next three weeks as air forces from around the world take part in Exercise Pitch Black.

 

The training includes night flying and aerial refuelling and enables different nations a chance to learn from each other and improve their force integration using one of the largest training airspace areas in the world.

 

The biennial Pitch Black exercise began in 1990 between Australia and Singapore, and features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment, the Royal Australian Air Force said in a statement on its website.

 

"Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognises the strong relationship Australia has with its participant nations and the high value it places on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Asia Pacific region," the Royal Australian Air Force said.

 

The air forces involved are from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-28

getting ready for WW 3

It was originally designed for the Simgaporeans and Australians to practice with Rapier and other surface to air defence weapons. the RAAF pilots wil sleep under the stars, 5 stars

No Brits, I notice. I guess too busy parachuting out over La Manche.

Who is it that wants to invade Australia ?  

58 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

No Brits, I notice. I guess too busy parachuting out over La Manche.

The Solomon Islanders...Fiji,Samoa..

 

Anyone not included in the Premier Rugby League...

 

I would mention the Kiwis..but they invaded Bondi in 1988 and (despite heroic efforts) have never been dislodged since.

 

It's a bugger...

3 hours ago, mfd101 said:

No Brits, I notice. I guess too busy parachuting out over La Manche.

Unfortunately too many of our brave lads did just that 75 years ago helping the Europeans for the second time

8 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

Who is it that wants to invade Australia ?  

 

not me, you can keep that culture-less nanny state

Australian air force consists of about 5 fighter jet, that are 30 years and well old out of date 555

2 hours ago, Mad mick said:

Australian air force consists of about 5 fighter jet, that are 30 years and well old out of date 555

That's based on your certain knowledge, I take it.

2 hours ago, Mad mick said:

Australian air force consists of about 5 fighter jet, that are 30 years and well old out of date 555

Our 5 F35s? I wouldnt call them well out of date but im no armchair general.

Our 70x FA18s and 25x FA18Fs should be able to pick up the slack

21 hours ago, Jdiddy said:

Our 5 F35s? I wouldnt call them well out of date but im no armchair general.

Our 70x FA18s and 25x FA18Fs should be able to pick up the slack

juz makn fun of australian defence capabilities are laughable

 

On ‎7‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 10:13 AM, Mad mick said:

Australian air force consists of about 5 fighter jet, that are 30 years and well old out of date 555

Don't forget we got a couple of shot guns too. Just to keep the rabbits down