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Pitch Black 2008

13 June 2008
Controlling air traffic during Exercise Pitch Black 2008

As the Air-to-Air combat exercise of Pitch Black 08 begins to spreads its wings, the tempo picks up for the Air Traffic Control members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as they control the skies over Darwin for both military and civilian aircraft.

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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing 707 tanker/transport sits on the RAAF Base Darwin hardstand next to a French Air Force E-3F during Exercise Pitch Black 08.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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An F-16 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force lands at RAAF Base Darwin after another sortie during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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An F-16 from the Royal Thai Air Force lands at RAAF Base Darwin after another sortie during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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33 Squadron Aircraft Technician Corporal Trevor Connell connects an air hose to a Boeing 707 after touching down at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 08.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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Royal Thai Air Force F-16 tails are silhouetted against the dusk glow at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 08.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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Dusk approaches as Royal Thai Air Force ground crew continue to work on an F-16 at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 08.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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The Darwin skyline sits as a backdrop for a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707, refueler aircraft, as it taxis past two F/A-18 Hornets, ready for a mission as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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The Darwin skyline sets the mood as an F-16 Fighter jet heads out on a mission from RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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A F-16 Fighter jet graces the Darwin skyline as it heads out on a mission from RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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An F-111 'Pig' lifts-off, headed on a mission from RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO), Flight Lieutenant Ashley Browne, maintains control of approaching aircraft at the ATC tower at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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The natural beauty of the Timor Sea acts as a backdrop to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet during take-off from RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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The natural beauty of the Timor Sea off the coast of Darwin acts as the backdrop to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet during take-off on Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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The natural beauty of the Timor Sea acts as the backdrop to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 as it comes in to land at RAAF Base Darwin, completing a mission for Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet passes over head on return to RAAF Base Darwin after completing a mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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A Royal Malaysian Air Force KC-130M Hercules takes off from Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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Flight Lieutenant Matthew McLennan, an Air Traffic Control Officer, maintains control of of all aircraft movements at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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Royal Australian Air Force, Air Traffic Control Officers maintain the control of all aircraft movements, both military and civilian, at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

(Date taken: 10 June 2008)
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