Pitch Black 2008
PITCH BLACK 2008 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is Exercise Pitch Black?
Exercise Pitch Black 2008 is a biennial joint enabled Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) activity that provides the highest level of RAAF collective training in Offensive and Defensive Counter Air Operations. Exercise Pitch Black 2008 will provide Australian and international aircrew, controllers, Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) staff and Base support personnel with a challenging opportunity to conduct air combat and ground support operations in a mulit-national environment.
When is Exercise Pitch Black?
Exercise Pitch Black is being conducted between 6th and 27th June, 2008.
Where is Exercise Pitch Black happening?
Aircraft and personnel participating in the exercise will be operating out of RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine, and RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia.
The majority of exercise flying is planned to take place over the ocean or in the airspace west of Katherine and Delamere.
How much money is Exercise Pitch Black expected to inject into the Northern Territory community?
Exercise Pitch Black will inject up to $10 million into the Northern Territory economy.
What are the exercise objectives of Exercise Pitch Black 2008?
Participating nations identify Pitch Black as an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to participate in and contribute to a multi-national defence exercise, across cultures and across regions.
Participating personnel see the Exercise as an opportunity for goodwill and cooperation, whilst at the same time demonstrating their capacity to operate effectively in an international environment.
What are the flying times?
Exercise Pitch Black flying is planned to occur between 08.30am and 10.30pm Monday to Friday, with no exercise flying anticipated on Saturdays and Sundays. There may be normal military flying on weekends in support of other activities but this will not be part of Exercise Pitch Black.
What countries, units and numbers/types of aircraft will be taking part in the exercise?
Exercise Pitch Black allows the men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force to train together with Air Force representatives from the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada and NATO,
International aircraft types include Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16D, F-5, E2C and KC-135; Royal Thai Air Force F-16s; Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A18Ds and a KC-130M; a French E3F; United States F/A18 and KC-130J aircraft and an E3A from NATO.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft include the F/A18 and F-111.
There will be an additional 2000 personnel deployed to RAAF Base Darwin and a further 1000 personnel deployed to RAAF Base Tindal.
Approximately 60 aircraft will be taking part in Exercise Pitch Black 2008.
What environmental responsibilities does Defence have with this exercise?
Minimising impact on the environment is a responsibility that Defence takes seriously and was taken into account when planning for Pitch Black. An Environmental Management Plan has been developed for the exercise.
Where can I get more information?
Members of the public and media are encouraged to contact the Exercise Pitch Black 2008 Public Information Centre on telephone number 1800 301 885 (toll free Australia wide) if they have any questions about Exercise Pitch Black activities.