Exercise Pitch Black 14 participants have taken part in a unique air-to-air photo shoot over Darwin and its surrounds. These images by RAAF photographer CPL David Gibbs show differing combinations of representatives of the fast jet participants in the exercise – RAAF classic and Super Hornets, Royal Thai Air Force Gripen, United Arab Emirates Air Force Mirage 2000, Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG. and US Air Force ANG F-16C.
After an open day at RAAF Base Darwin on Saturday, Pitch Black is now moving into its third and final week. The biennial exercise is the RAAF’s largest, and this year is seeing participation from 110 aircraft and 2,300 personnel from Australia, the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE and France operating from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
A full report on Pitch Black 14 is due to appear in the October issue of Australian Aviation.
Brian
says:Great photo’s – also great to see a Mirage again!
It is mentioned “open day at RAAF base Darwin on Saturday” – does that mean the base was open for members of the public to have a look around?
Raymond
says:Yes, nice to see photos of the Mirage component… eventually the UAE have allowed their Pitch Black contingent to be photographed!
Yes, the open day was to thank the people of Darwin for their support of Pitch Black – see http://www.airforce.gov.au/Operations/Exercise-PITCH-BLACK-14/Open-Day/?RAAF-pKwOzWWOKYL4HrHDZuG0EwXx1l26fENu