Exercise Pitch Black

Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial military exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force. The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia (there have been a few exceptions) primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.

International Air Forces with defence ties to Australia are invited, which normally consist of France, Singapore, Thailand, USA and the UK. Countries unable to participate are able to send observers.

The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air and Defensive Counter Air combat, in a simulated war environment. It traditionally consists of a 'red team' and a 'blue team' based at separate locations, with one attacking the other.

Although the 2000, 2004 and 2006 exercises were held in the Northern Territory, the 2002 exercise was scaled down and held at RAAF Bases Amberley and Williamtown, on the Australian East Coast.

In the 2006 exercise, RAAF Curtin (a bare base) was stood up to join Darwin as a second Offensive Counter Air base. RAAF F-111s were the only aircraft based there.

RAAF Base Glenbrook (near Sydney) is used as the command and control centre, as it would if the simulated conflict were real.

External links

* [http://www.defence.gov.au/pitchblack06 Exercise Pitch Black 2006 official website]