Exercise Pitch Black Last Day Time Sortie
After weeks of intense air combat operations over Northern Territory, aircraft from Singapore, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand are flying their final missions for Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 06 August 2010 - 11 images)
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Delamere Air Weapons Range
The Joint Combined Training Centre (JCTC) provides electronic warfare and opposition forces (EW/OPFOR) functions in support of allied air and ground combat forces to support high level training.
(Date uploaded: 05 August 2010 - 08 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black New Zealand Air Force Deliver the Goods
The Royal New Zealand C-130 Hercules conducted a tactical mission under 'enemy' fire to insert a team of Special Tactics Combat Controllers into Bradshaw Bombing Range to conduct tactical landing zone reconnaissance and terminal attack control in support of Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 05 August 2010 - 15 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black 'Showtime' 77SQN Hornets deploy to Darwin
Exercise Pitch Black 2010 (PB10), is a three week multi-national air combat exercise, to be conducted in Northern Australia over the period 16 Jul – 6 Aug 10.
(Date uploaded: 05 August 2010 - 07 images)
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Pitch Black Technicians keep the RADAR operational
Essential maintenance on Darwin Airport's radar system will be able to go ahead thanks to Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 04 August 2010 - 05 images)
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Pitch black Air Force Cadets from the NT check out an F-111
Australian Air Force Cadets from the units in the Northern Territory have come face to face with the hardware and personnel participating in Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 04 August 2010 - 09 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black 2010 Team Effort
Both air-to-air and ground refuelling is a vital component for aircrews operating during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 04 August 2010 - 03 images)
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Support personnel assist to keep the exercise on track
An Exercise like Pitch Black takes more than just pilots and aircraft to be a success - it takes a force of different musterings and specialties to support the action, from Chaplains to Technicians, Suppliers and Joint Battlefield Airspace Controllers.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 08 images)
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Pitch black Students from Henbury School visit RAAF Base Darwin
School visits to RAAF Darwin provides the local Northern Territory community with a first-hand insight into Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 04 images)
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Pitch Black Royal Australian and New Zealand Air Forces battle it out on the Rugby Field
Australian and New Zealand service personnel take time out during Exercise Pitch Black to show their team colours in a rugby match.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 06 images)
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Local NT media visit RAAF Base Darwin
Local Northern Territory media were invited to RAAF Base Darwin to get an update on the second week of flying during Exercise Pitch.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 08 images)
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Loading a Hornet
Armament Technicians from the RAAF's Number 3 Squadron load inert laser guided bombs on to the weapons stations of the Squadron's F/A 18 Hornets at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 12 images)
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Foreign observers and Exercise Boss Lift participants
Foreign observers and Exercise Boss Lift participants learn first-hand about what the Australian Defence Force and other international participants do on Exercise Pitch Black 2010 during a trip from RAAF Darwin to RAAF Tindal on a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130.
(Date uploaded: 03 August 2010 - 12 images)
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Hornets and Hawks on the move
Trainee fighter pilots from Number76 Squadron are punching above their weight during Exercise Pitch Black 2010 in the skies above the Northern Territory.
(Date uploaded: 02 August 2010 - 25 images)
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Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on Task
A team of Special Tactics Combat Controllers, from the Air Force's No. 4 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown NSW, prepare for missions at Bradshaw Bombing Range to conduct tactical landing zone reconnaissance and terminal attack control in support of Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 02 August 2010 - 07 images)
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All About The Food
Over the three week period of Exercise Pitch Black, catering staff at the Airmen’s Mess, Sergeant’s Mess, Officer’s Mess and the ration store at RAAF Darwin, will prepare and produce over 31500 high quality nutritious dining room meals and 4500 in-flight meals.
(Date uploaded: 02 August 2010 - 05 images)
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School visits to RAAF Darwin
School visits to RAAF Darwin provides the local Northern Territory community with a first-hand insight into Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 18 images)
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Aircraft Technicians work on an F-111 engine during an engine change
Ground crews work tirelessly to ensure the F-111 is ready to go for the next mission of Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 07 images)
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Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld, Officer Conducting the Exercise participates in an exercise sortie in an F-111
Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld, Commander Air Combat Group and an F/A-18 Hornet Pilot, participated in an exercise sortie in an F-111 during Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 07 images)
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Royal Thai Air Force Chief visits Exercise Pitch Black
Exercise Pitch Black aims to enhance the interoperability between the participating nations of Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore, as well as further develop relations between the international partners.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 09 images)
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Barrier Crew at work
As the sun sets over Darwin, members of No. 13 Squadron barrier crew check the airfield arrestor systems prior to the next wave of military aircraft landings.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 06 images)
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Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld prepares to launch
Air Commmodore Mel Hupfeld, Commander Air Combat and an F/A-18 Hornet Pilot, participated in an F-111 sortie during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 05 images)
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Air Base Command Post
Personnel from 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron staff the Air Base Command Post (ABCP) working around the clock providing the liaison and management of essential support services like refuelling, security, tarmac management and accommodation for exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 03 images)
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Students from Darwin Middle School visit EX Pitch Black
School visits to RAAF Darwin provides the local Northern Territory community with a first-hand insight into Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 03 images)
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Jets take off
Hardly a cloud in the sky but there is thunder in the air as military jets from Australia, Singapore and Thailand take to the skies over the Northern Territory.
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 12 images)
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Chefs of Pitch Black
Over the three week period of Exercise Pitch Black, catering staff at the airmen’s mess, sergeant’s mess, officer’s mess and the ration store at RAAF Darwin, will prepare and produce over 31500 high quality nutritious dining room meals and 4500 in-flight meals
(Date uploaded: 30 July 2010 - 05 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black 2010 Faces of support personnel
Various support elements including communications, administration, logistics, medical and security are providing essential support to air and ground crews participating in Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 29 July 2010 - 18 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black 2010 Faces of aircraft technicians
The Hornets from RAAF Williamtown, NSW are operating from Darwin during the exercise as part of 'blue' force alongside the Republic of Singapore, Royal Thailand and Royal New Zealand Air Forces.
(Date uploaded: 29 July 2010 - 08 images)
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Primary School students visit RAAF Base Darwin
School visits to RAAF Darwin provides the local Northern Territory community with a first-hand insight into Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 29 July 2010 - 05 images)
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Exercise Pitch Black 2010 Search and Rescue exercise
Crash Response Teams at RAAF Base Darwin were tested when Pilot Officer Michael Keightley, an F/A-18 Hornet Pilot from No. 3 Squadron RAAF Williamtown, NSW simulated an ejection from his aircraft as part of a Search and Rescue scenario during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 29 July 2010 - 08 images)
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Pitch Black 2010 visit by the Northern Territory Administrator
An informal visit to the operations of Exercise Pitch Black 2010 by the Administrator of the Northern Territory Mr. Tom Pauling AO QC.
(Date uploaded: 28 July 2010 - 03 images)
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International Night
An International Night comprising a banquet of Australian, Thai, Singaporean and New Zealand cuisine was enjoyed by members of all nations participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 27 July 2010 - 06 images)
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Timber Creek
No. 41 Wing personnel are deployed at Timber Creek for the duration of Exercise Pitch Black 2010 to maintain the radar which provides the air picture across the Northern Territory.
(Date uploaded: 26 July 2010 - 09 images)
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RAAF aircraft take off from Darwin
As part of Exercise Pitch Black 2010, Australian F/A-18 Hornets are flying with and against military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore as part of the RAAF's major combat flying exercise for 2010.
(Date uploaded: 26 July 2010 - 02 images)
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WGCDR Terry van Haren Achieved 3000th Hour Flying FA-18 Hornets
Commanding Officer No. 3 Squadron, Wing Commander Terry van Haren, achieved his 3000th hour flying F/A-18 Hornets during an Exercise Pitch Black sortie.
(Date uploaded: 23 July 2010 - 08 images)
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Pitch Black 2010
As part of Exercise Pitch Black 2010, Australian FA/18 Hornets are flying with and against military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore as part of the RAAF's major combat flying exercise for 2010.
(Date uploaded: 23 July 2010 - 08 images)
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Pitch Black 2010 Pilots and Avionics Technician
The Royal Australian Air Force's iconic F-111's are undertaking their last Exercise Pitch Black. The venerable long range strike bombers will remain an integral part of Australia's defence, and maintenance of regional air superiority, up until they are retired at the end of 2010.
(Date uploaded: 23 July 2010 - 05 images)
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Pitch Black 2010 F-111's Ready to Take Off
The Royal Australian Air Force's iconic F-111's are participating in their last major exercise prior to their retirement later in 2010.
(Date uploaded: 23 July 2010 - 04 images)
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No. 6 Squadron F-111 Aircraft Taxiing
The Royal Australian Air Force's iconic F-111s are participating in Exercise Pitch Black for the final time before they are decommissioned from service at the end of the year.
(Date uploaded: 22 July 2010 - 04 images)
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Australian, Thai and Singaporean Air Forces Combine
Pilots from the participating nations of Australia and Thailand were invited to view the Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16s at RAAF Darwin, NT for a familiarisation visit during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 22 July 2010 - 07 images)
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Refueling RSAF E-2C Hawkeye
Both air-to-air and ground refuelling is a vital component for aircrews operating during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Date uploaded: 22 July 2010 - 13 images)
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No. 3 Squadron Ground Crews Performing After Flight Checks
No. 3 Squadron ground crews perform after flight checks on the F/A-18 Hornets as they return from another Exercise Pitch Black mission.
(Date uploaded: 22 July 2010 - 12 images)
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No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Perform Familiarisation Training
Medical personnel from RAAF Base Williamtown are in Tindal to support the increased number of personnel currently being accommodated at the base during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 21 July 2010 - 12 images)
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Personnel from Joint Interface Control Cell
The Joint Interface Control Cell is based at RAAF Base Tindal, where personnel plan and manage data links to support Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 21 July 2010 - 02 images)
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Member of the Royal Australian Air Force ramp up activities on Day One of operations during Exercise Pitch Black 2010
2010 marks the final year the F-111s will take part in the exercise before they are decommissioned from service later this year.
(Date uploaded: 20 July 2010 - 16 images)
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Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16's taxi for a sortie
A Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 taxies for a sortie at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 20 July 2010 - 02 images)
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Press Conference for the Launch of Exercise Pitch Black
The launch officially opened Exercise Pitch Black with flying between the international forces to commence next week.
(Date uploaded: 16 July 2010 - 05 images)
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Opening Proceedings for Exercise Pitch Black
The ceremony was part of opening proceedings for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.
(Date uploaded: 16 July 2010 - 06 images)
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Joint Battlefield Airspace Controllers Prepare for Pitch Black
Exercise Pitch Black 2010 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest and most complex Air Exercise with participation by Australian Defence Force and international personnel.
(Date uploaded: 16 July 2010 - 06 images)
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Aircraft Arrive at RAAF Base Darwin for Pitch Black
Exercise Pitch Black 2010 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest and most complex Air Exercise with participation by Australian Defence Force and international personnel.
(Date uploaded: 16 July 2010 - 21 images)
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Hornets Arrive in Darwin for Pitch Black
Exercise Pitch Black 2010 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest and most complex Air Exercise with participation by Australian Defence Force and international personnel.
(Date uploaded: 16 July 2010 - 05 images)
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