Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) 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.
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Background
The first Pitch Black exercises took place on 15-16 June 1981 between different RAAF units.
The exercise began in 1990 starting with training between Australia and Singapore, and it then expanded to other international air forces with defence ties to Australia being invited, which have come to consist of France's Armée de l'Air; the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the Republic of Singapore Air Force; the Royal Thai Air Force; the Royal New Zealand Air Force; the United States Air Force; and Britain's Royal Air Force. Countries unable to participate are able to send observers.
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. RAAF Base Glenbrook (near Sydney) is used as the command and control centre, as it would if the simulated conflict were real.
2006
The 2006 exercise was from 31 July to 8 August. Participants included Singapore, Thailand, the UK, US and Australia. RAAF Base Curtin (a bare base) was stood up to join Darwin as a second Offensive Counter Air base. RAAF General Dynamics F-111s were the only aircraft based there.
2008
The 2008 exercise was from 6 June to 27 June. Around 3000 personnel and 60 aircraft participated. Participants were Singapore (RSAF) France (French Air Force), Australia (Royal Australian Air Force), Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force), Thailand (Royal Thai Air Force), the US (United States Air Force, (United States Marine Corps and United States Navy) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
2010
The 2010 exercise ran from 16 July to 6 August. New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand participated. This was the last year the RAAF's F-111 aircraft participated, and they were retired at the end of the year.
2012
The 2012 exercise ran from 27 July to 17 August. More than 2,200 personnel along with 100 aircraft belonging to Australia, Singapore, Thailand, the US, Indonesia and New Zealand participated in the exercise. It was the first time for Indonesia to participate in the exercise. The Indonesian Air Force sent four Sukhoi Flanker fighters, two Su-27s and two Su-30s.
2014
The 2014 exercise ran from 4 August to 22 August 2014. Up to 110 aircraft from Australia, the US, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates participated.
2016
The 2016 exercise ran from 29 July to 19 August. Up to 115 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from the armed forces of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the US participated.