Pitch Black 2024 takes off, RMAF deploys a contingent

The Opening Ceremony of Exercise Pitch Black 2024 (PBK24) recently took place officially at the Darwin Convention Centre, Australia.

But what is Exercise Pitch Black 2024? Pitch Black is the largest exercise in the southern hemisphere organized by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and is held every two years.

This year’s edition is scheduled from July 12 to August 2, and it is said to be the largest ever held. It is joined by 20 countries from around the world with more than 140 fighter aircraft and 4,400 military personnel.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) also deployed a contingent this year consisting of three F/A-18D Hornets and an Airbus A400M. This is not the first time the RMAF has participated in Exercise Pitch Black.

First held in 1981, Pitch Black brings together various air forces from around the world for a series of exercises involving complex scenarios with fighter aircraft and support such as tanker aircraft, as well as control and early warning (AEW&C) aircraft.

Most aircraft will operate from RAAF Base Darwin, but there will also be aircraft operating from Tindal and Amberley bases.

The air forces returning to Darwin for Pitch Black 2024 are from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

There are also air force units participating for the first time, such as from the Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Papua New Guinea. Some personnel from Fiji and Brunei will also join, as well as from Canada and New Zealand.

This exercise is not only anticipated by participants from the military but also eagerly awaited by aerospace and military enthusiasts in the Darwin area and beyond.

This is because they have the opportunity to see advanced fighter aircraft from various countries, which are not always present at Darwin base, such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, FA-50, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen, and Sukhoi Su-30.

The exercise involves various activities and situations that will test the skills of pilots and crews to work together with each other and with colleagues from other countries.

In addition, for the local community, the sidelines of Pitch Black involve an open day at Darwin Air Base and an air show at Mindil Beach.

For additional information, the RMAF contingent began their journey several days ago. They departed from Butterworth last week, made a stop in Kuching and Bali before continuing their journey to Darwin.

Some air forces also made Malaysia a stopover, such as the Italian air and naval forces, which stopped in Subang a few days before continuing their journey.

Among the aircraft taking part in the event are:

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) – Boeing EA-18G Growler, F/A-18F Super Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C, Lockheed Martin F-35A, C-130J Hercules, Airbus A330/KC-30A MRTT
French Air and Space Force (FASF) – Dassault Rafale, Airbus A330 MRTT, A400M, CN235
German Air Force – Eurofighter Typhoon, Airbus A330 MRTT, A400M
Indian Air Force (IAF) – Sukhoi Su-30MKI Flanker
Indonesian Air Force – Lockheed Martin F-16A/B/C/D
Italian Air Force – Lockheed Martin F-35A, F-35B, C-130J Hercules, Eurofighter Typhoon, G550 AEW&C, Boeing KC-767
Italian Navy – Lockheed Martin F-35B, AV-8B Harrier II
Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) – Mitsubishi F-2A/B, Boeing E-767 airborne early warning and control (AWACS)
Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) – PAC-750
Philippine Air Force (PAF) – Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PH Fighting Eagle
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) – Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, Airbus A400M
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) – Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) – Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Boeing F-15SG, G550 CAEW&C, Airbus A330 MRTT
Royal Air Force (RAF) – Eurofighter Typhoon, Airbus A330/Voyager MRTT
Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) – Eurofighter Typhoon, Airbus A400M
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) – Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen
United States Air Force (USAF) – Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor
United States Marine Corps (USMC) – Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey