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Pitch Black 2010

20 July 2010
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.
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Leading Aircraftman Luke Matlock, an Aircraft Technician from No. 6 Squadron RAAF Base Amberley, conducts maintenance after flight checks on the F-111 following the first mission for Exercise Pitch Black 2010. The F-111 aircraft are capable of long range strike and have been a formidable force for the last 37 years.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Leading Aircraftman Tom Gower an Aircraft Structural Technician from No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW conducts preflight checks on an F/A-18 Hornet during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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An F/A-18 Hornet from No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW ready for its first mission for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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An Aircraft Technician from No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW supervises preflight checks on an F/A-18 Hornet during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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An F/A-18 Hornet from 77 Squadron RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, prepares to participate in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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An F/A-18 Hornet from 77 Squadron RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, prepares to participate in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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An F/A-18 Hornet from 81 Wing RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, ready to participate in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Major Aaron Lapp, a United States Air Force exchange pilot with No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown conducts preflight checks on his F/A-18 Hornet in preparation for an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Major Aaron Lapp, a United States Air Force exchange pilot with No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW performs pre-flight checks on his F/A-18 Hornet before participating in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Major Aaron Lapp, a United States Air Force exchange pilot with No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW performs pre-flight checks on his F/A-18 Hornet before participating in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Major Aaron Lapp, a United States Air Force exchange pilot with No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW performs pre-flight checks on his F/A-18 Hornet before participating in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Flying Officer Bryan Thompson, a pilot from No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW performs pre-flight checks on his F/A-18 Hornet before participating in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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A QANTAS aircraft at Darwin International Airport prepares for take-off as an 81 Wing F/A-18 Hornet from RAAF Williamtown, NSW taxis to a holding point ready for its next mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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A double thumbs up from No. 3 Squadron ground crew as an F/A-18 Hornet taxis out of the carports and prepares for participation in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010 held in Darwin, NT.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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A No. 3 Squadron F/A-18 Hornet taxis out of the carports and prepares for participation in an afternoon mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2010 held in Darwin, NT.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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Flight Lieutenant Andrew Gibbs, Base Aviation Safety Officer (BASO) on the tarmac of RAAF Base Darwin.

(Date taken: 19 July 2010)
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