Pitch Black 06 Home

Exercise Pitch Black 2006 commenced on Friday the 28th of July.

It is the major Offensive Counter Air and Defensive Counter Air exercise conducted in Australia and includes participation by the air forces of France, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The exercise also attracts significant interest from other nations. As such, a Foreign Observer Programme has been developed to showcase our capability in an operational setting.

The Exercise Pitch Black 2006 Foreign Observer Programme will see approximately 30 senior military members from 18 different counties visit RAAF Bases Darwin, Glenbrook and Tindal to observe various exercise activities.

Participating counties include Bahrain, Germany, India, Jordon, Kuwait, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

Air Commodore Mark Skidmore the Australian defence Force's Joint Force's Air Component Commander and Officer Conducting Exercise Pitch Black 2006 said the Foreign Observer Programme demonstrated the high regard that allied nations hold for the RAAF.

“The representatives of these countries are coming to view RAAF personnel doing what we do best – working together to achieve a ‘big picture' outcome in a professional, positive and uniquely Australian way”.

Exercise Pitch Black 2006 will run until Friday the 18th of August.

Pictured below:

Base Commander, Wing Commander Brett Bishell welcomes the participants of the Exercise Pitch Black 2006 Foreign Observer Programme to RAAF Base Glenbrook (in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, NSW) on Monday the 7th of August.

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Where can I get more information

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Exercise Pitch Black 2006 Public Information Centre on telephone number 1800 301 885 (toll free Australia wide) if they have any questions about Exercise Pitch Black activities.

Aviators who would like more information on airspace requirements for Exercise Pitch Black may contact the Exercise Pitch Black Airspace Information Cell on telephone number 1800 068 420 or fax 1800 064 712.

Queries directed to both the 1800 numbers should include a name, contact phone number and address in addition to the details of the inquiry. This is due to the fact that responses will most likely be in the form of a phone call or delivery via Australia Post.