Australia to host huge global air combat training exercise

SYDNEY (AFP) May 11, 2004
Australia will host a massive air combat training exercise in July attracting more than 100 aircraft and 1,500 air force personnel from France, the United States, Thailand and Singapore, defence officials said Tuesday.

A year in the planning, exercise "Pitch Black" is the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) largest air combat training exercise and will be held in the Northern Territory from July 19 to August 6.

The French air force will join the exercise for the first time, showcasing its Mirage 2000 fighter as well as its KC-135 air refuelling aircraft.

The Royal Thai air force is also participating for the first time and will bring its F-16 Falcon fighters.

The United States and Singapore are regular players in "Pitch Black" which has evolved into a major training event over the past 25 years.

The US Marine Corps is flying its FA-18D Hornets as well as a KC-130 air refueller while Singapore will contribute F-16s, the Hawkeye tactical warning and control aircraft and its KC-135 air refuelling aircraft.

Australia will contribute its F-18s, F1-11's, C-130 Hercules and AP-3 Orions.

"In terms of other training exercises, this is a big deal. It's huge," RAAF squadron leader Tania Smith told AFP.

"It's a really good, highly complex air combat training opportunity where we can all train together."

Residents of the northern Australian city of Darwin will be treated to some spectacular aircraft taking off and landing at the local RAAF base.

Group Captain Richard Owen said even the pilots are excited about seeing some of the world's most magnificent aircraft in action.

"Twenty-five years of doing it and I still get butterflies," Owen said in an interview.

"There's a whole bunch of guys now flying Hornets which are really looking forward to mixing it up with the Mirage boys.

"The Mirage is such a beautiful aeroplane, it's like a flying creature and some of the young guys haven't seen it flying so I think this is going to be pretty special for them."

The Australian Army and Singapore's air force will also test their ground-based air defence systems, including the Rapier anti-aircraft surface-to-air missiles.

Air force personnel from Britain will join the exercises but unlike previous years, are not in a position to bring aircraft this year, Owen said.

The training exercise, staged once every two years, will be held at the Australian air force bases in Darwin and Tindal.

WAR.WIRE