The ground support and refuelling mission is already under way at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, before the first jet aircraft even launches for Exercise Pitch Black. 

Home to more than 5000 personnel and supporting five flying squadrons, Australia’s largest operational air base is also home to 23 Squadron, whose 444 aviators generate the airbase capability that enables the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest multinational exercise.

While the largest flying serials take place over northern Australia, the air power on display begins thousands of kilometres away at Amberley.

Throughout Exercise Pitch Black, Australian and international multi-role tanker transport aircraft depart Amberley to refuel aircraft operating across northern Australia, extending their endurance and enabling complex multinational air operations.

Commanding Officer 23 Squadron Wing Commander Ashleigh Gomba is excited to lead the teams that provide vital support to the exercise.

“Amberley is such an important part of Exercise Pitch Black because it is enabling the successful conduct of the exercise through the provision of sustainment and other airbase support,” Wing Commander Gomba said. 

“When people think about Exercise Pitch Black, they often think about the fast jets supporting the exercise.

“The mission starts well before that, with hundreds of individuals providing support long before the first engines start.”

Before dawn, catering teams prepare meals for aviators beginning another demanding day, while Air Movements personnel coordinate passengers, cargo and equipment heading north.

'Amberley is such an important part of Exercise Pitch Black because it is enabling the successful conduct of the exercise through the provision of sustainment and other airbase support.'

Across the airfield, the aerodrome engineer inspects operating surfaces and firefighting while security forces establish round-the-clock protection, ensuring the base is ready to launch another day of flying.

Air Movements operator Leading Aircraftwoman Jessica Lomax plays a crucial role in supporting Exercise Pitch Black. 

“Everything for Pitch Black comes through movements at some point. You can’t really go anywhere without a mover and we’ve got to make sure the passengers arrive safely and their cargo’s coordinated,” Leading Aircraftwoman Lomax said. 

On one morning alone, the team loaded 120 personnel from 1 Squadron and 6 Squadron bound for Darwin to support the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, while simultaneously receiving a United Kingdom KC-30 Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and a NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker aircraft.

Wing Commander Gomba said each role at RAAF Base Amberley contributed to generating air power, including the international refuelling force at Amberley which includes Spain, the UK and the NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Unit.

“There is one thread that connects the work of all individuals who are posted to 23 Squadron, and that is the thread of enabling airbase operations,” Wing Commander Gomba said.

“Without the chefs, without the movers, without the airfield engineers, we don’t have the ability to provide effective airbase support.”