DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Coordination and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
CPA 156/08
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
EXERCISE PITCH BLACK 2008 GEARS UP NORTHERN
TERRITORY FOR AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
Final preparations have begun for the most complex air combat training scenarios above the
skies of the Northern Territory. From 6-27 June, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will
host an array of international Air Force participants in Exercise Pitch Black 08.
Pitch Black is a regular RAAF exercise held every two years in the Northern Territory.
Up to 3000 service men and women from Australia and countries including the United States,
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and France will support the exercise, with ground crews and
aircrews operating some of the most sophisticated military systems employed in the world.
An additional 60 aircraft from the RAAF and participating Forces will deploy to RAAF Base
Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine. Fighter, strike, early warning, air-to-air
refuelling and transport aircraft will combine with selected surface forces and systems to
simulate and evaluate operational planning and tactics in war-like conditions.
In appreciation of the continued support of the Northern Territory community, RAAF Base
Darwin will host an open day on Saturday, 14 June between 10.00am and 2.00pm. Open day
visitors will have an opportunity to get close up to the aircraft and personnel participating in
Exercise Pitch Black 08.
Significantly, this years Pitch Black will see the inclusion of forces from NATO and the
Royal Malaysian Air Force, and will make use of the Joint and Combined Training Centre to
interweave simulated assets into the live missions. Pitch Black 08 will also be the last major
exercise for the Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707 refuelling aircraft, with its impending
retirement from service during 2008.
Exercise Pitch Black is a great opportunity for participating personnel to demonstrate their
capacity to operate tactically in a coalition environment, said the Exercise Director, Air
Commodore Neil Hart, Commander Air Combat Group.
Throughout this exercise, participating nations will be given the opportunity to demonstrate
their ability to participate and contribute in a multi-national defence exercise, across cultures
and regions, Air Commodore Hart said.
Media Contact:
Defence Media Liaison:
(02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
Public Information Centre, Exercise Pitch Black 08:
1800 301 885