Royal Air Force Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire are flying ‘down under’ as part of Exercise Pitch Black in Australia.
The six Typhoons from XI (Fighter) Squadron are currently based at Royal Australian Air Force Darwin with the Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton’s Air Mobility Force operating from Royal Australian Air Force Amberly.
Exercise Pitch Black began on the 12 July 2024 and will run until 2 August 2024. Held every two years, Pitch Black focuses on large scale air missions involving significant numbers of international aircraft and will be the largest in its 43-year history with 20 nations, over 140 aircraft and up to 4,500 personnel deployed on the exercise.
Wing Commander Mark Robertson is the Commanding Officer of XI (F) Sqn. He said:
“Exercise Pitch Black provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Air Force to work with a variety of other nations, some of whom we have operated alongside previously and some others for the first time.
The training offered by Exercise Pitch Black is almost unique due to the expanse of Australia, giving pilots exposure to new challenges such as the increased range of operations and sheer number of adversary aircraft that can fit into the vast training airspace.”
For the Royal Air Force, a significant benefit of Exercise Pitch Black is providing experience in how to deploy over great distances and sustain air operations at range in the Indo-Pacific, whilst working with partner nations to foster stronger ties.
Group Captain Billy Cooper is the Commander of the RAF’s Typhoon Air Wing and has flown with the RAAF on previous overseas exercises and on deployed operations. He said:
“It’s an invaluable opportunity. Exercise Pitch Black allows almost every profession from every participating air force to work and train together; aircrew, engineering, air ops, logistics, catering; everybody has something to gain here.”
The Group Captain continued:
“Working with our RAAF colleagues is a great experience, to see how their environment and our shared history has shaped their air force is remarkable and it is a pleasure to work alongside a fighting force with which we have worked so closely for decades, and will continue to do so well into the future.”
