Australian Government, Department of Defence
MinisterNavyArmyAir ForceDepartment
 
Defending Australia and its National Interests
Exercise Rim of the Pacific :: Ex RIMPAC 04
Pitch Black 2006 image

Defence Home
Ex RIMPAC 06 Home
Background
Media Releases
Image Gallery
FAQs
People
Community

Participants
Contacts

Copyright

Image Gallery

09 August 2006
Images from Exercise Pitch Black

Exercise Pitch Black 2006, the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) largest exercise, is being conducted from 28 July 2006 until 18 August 2006. Held on a biennial basis, this year’s exercise is based in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Exercise Pitch Black 2006 will provide an important opportunity for the men and women of the RAAF to train with a multinational force that will include Air Force representatives from France, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The scenario for this exercise will focus on both the operational and tactical levels of air warfare, as well as providing RAAF personnel with a valuable learning experience in a multinational environment. The exercise will have three areas of operation: Blue Land with its major forward operating base located at RAAF Bases Darwin and Curtin, and Red Land, operating from RAAF Base Tindal.

20060731raaf8207282_009
A 1 Squadron F-111 aircraft flying over RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 31 July 2006)
low-res | high-res

20060731raaf8207282_010
A 1 Squadron F-111 aircraft checks in for maintenance at RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 31 July 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060731raaf8207282_030
A 1 Squadron F-111 aircraft in full flight above RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 31 July 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060731raaf8207282_046
A 1 Squadron F-111 aircraft is marshalled at RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Pitch Black.

(Date taken: 31 July 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_015
The officer scheduling Exercise Pitch Black 06, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) John Quaife, Air Commander Australia, arrives into RAAF Base Darwin on an F-111 from 1 Squadron (SQN) with navigator Squadron Leader Parsons.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8164101_001
The officer scheduling Exercise Pitch Black 06, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) John Quaife, Air Commander Australia, is met by Commander Task Unit 640 Group Captain Mel Hupfield on arrival into RAAF Base Darwin on an F-111 from 1 Squadron.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0018
Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st Class Anirut Jaikoon performs after-flight maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0021
Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st Class Anirut Jaikoon performs after-flight maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0026
(L-R): Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st class Detpituk Kupimai, Flight Sergeant 1st class Weerapol Ploungnok and Flight Lieutenant Nirundorn Chatrornbure chat during maintenance checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0029
(L-R) Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st class Detpituk Kupimai, Flight Sergeant 1st class Weerapol Ploungnok and Flight Lieutenant Nirundorn Chatrornbure chat during maintenance checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0036
Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st Class Surapong Suan-Ngarm debriefs a pilot, Wing Commander Somporn Rompayom, in front of an F-16 fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0062
Royal Thai Air Force pilots wave from their F-16 Fighting Falcon as they return from a mission. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0074
Royal Thai Air Force Pilot, Wing Commander Somporn Rompayom, in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0076
Royal Thai Air Force Wing Commander Anurau "Jedi" Romnarak and Group Captain Bhanupong Seyayongra after returning from a sortie in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0080
Royal Thai Air Force Squadron Leader Pok Boonyaves "Rookie" in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0086
Pictured is Royal Thai Air Force Wing Commander Anurau "Jedi" Romnarak and Squadron Leader Pok "Rookie" Boonyaves in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0092
Royal Thai Air Force Sergeant Pramwal Noenklang maintains the main landing gear of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0097
Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st Class Chairat Pungthaisong performs after flight maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0101
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Flight Sergeant 1st Class Chairat Pungthaisong performs after flight mantenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0110
Royal Thai Air Force Flight Sergeant 1st Class Satit Tienngoen drags the fuel hose to an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0117
Pictured is Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Ben Ogle with Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Flight Sergeant 1st Class Watcharachai Lamsard after refuelling the RTAF F-16 Fighting Falcons. The RTAF is participating with its F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0118
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) maintenance crew perform after flight checks on their F-16 Fighting Falcons. The RTAF is participating as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807adf8165233_0136
Wing Commander Somporn Rompayom watches Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets from No.3 Squadron taxi past. The Royal Thai Air Force is participating as part of the 'blue' force in Exercise Pitch Black 06.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_027
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife addressing the flight line crew of 1 Squadron during his visit to Royal Australian Air Force bare base Curtin.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_028
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife addressing the flight line crew of 1 Squadron during his visit to Royal Australian Air Force bare base Curtin.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_028
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife with Aircraft Life Support Fitter Leading Aircraftman Kurt Reid from 1 Squadron during fitting for an F-111 flight.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_033
Members of 1 Squadron (1SQN) Flight Line Crew with Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) John Quaife during his visit to RAAF Base Curtin. From left is: Squadron Leader Rawlinson (Senior Engineering Officer 1SQN), Leading Aircraftman Mark Crispe (Avionics Technician 1SQN), Wing Commander Geoff Harland (Commanding Officer of 1SQN), AVM Quaife, Warrant Officer Darren Whitford (WOFF Engineering 1SQN) and LAC Luke Smith (Aircraft Technician 1SQN).

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_035
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife with the Executive Officer of 1 Squadron, Squadron Leader Philip Parsons standing in front of the F-111 at RAAF Base Curtin.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res

20060807raaf8207282_037
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife with the Executive Officer of 1 Squadron, Squadron Leader Philip Parsons standing in front of the F-111 at RAAF Base Curtin.

(Date taken: 07 August 2006)
 low-res | high-res