Australia and Japan have strengthened airborne early warning and control capabilities in one of the Indo-Pacific's largest international air combat exercises for Exercise Pitch Black.
The Royal Australian Air Force's E-7A Wedgetail from 2 Squadron has worked with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) E-2D Hawkeye and 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit (114MCRU) to enhance integration both on the ground and in the air.
While fighter jets are often the most visible part of an exercise, the E-7A works behind the scenes to provide enhanced situational awareness and a comprehensive picture of the battlespace, helping coordinate aircraft from multiple nations and ensure they can operate safely and effectively as a single entity.
2 Squadron Exercise Pitch Black Detachment Commander Squadron Leader Daniel Price said the E-7A worked alongside partner nation aircraft and ground-based air battle management units to deliver a shared understanding of the battlespace.
"The E-7A works side by side with our partner nation's airborne early warning and control aircraft, including the Japan Air Self-Defense Force E-2D and Republic of Singapore Air Force G550, as well as ground-based air battle management units such as 114MCRU," Squadron Leader Price said.
From his perspective, the integration between the E-7A, E-2D and 114MCRU was one of the exercise's greatest strengths.
"Integration looks a lot like working as a command and control 'constellation' alongside the JASDF E-2D and 114MCRU, capitalising on each unit's unique systems and platforms," Squadron Leader Price said.
By combining airborne and ground-based sensors through data links, the three capabilities built a robust, clear and tactically useful common operating picture, allowing coalition forces to make timely and informed decisions.
'You learn to trust the expertise of your partners, refine how you work together and ultimately become a more effective warfighting package.'
Exercise Pitch Black has also provided valuable opportunities to strengthen interoperability beyond the flying program.
"The best opportunities typically arise during mission planning and post-mission debriefs," Squadron Leader Price said.
"These periods allow us to better understand how our coalition partners assess tactical problems, undertake missions and how we can best support one another."
As each mission progresses, the benefits of integration become increasingly evident.
"Operations become more streamlined with every mission conducted. You learn to trust the expertise of your partners, refine how you work together and ultimately become a more effective warfighting package," Squadron Leader Price said.
While the E-7A crew delivers airborne command and control, Squadron Leader Price said the capability relied on far more than the personnel on board the aircraft.
"It's not just about the aircrew and the incredible, complex role they perform day in and day out," he said.
"Behind every mission is a dedicated team of maintainers, engineers, logisticians, planners and support personnel whose work ensures the capability is ready to fly.
"The E-7A team is dedicated, diligent and incredibly proud of the role they play in enabling mission success."
Beyond the flying program, Squadron Leader Price said one of Exercise Pitch Black's greatest strengths was the relationships forged between coalition partners.
"The relationships and professional networks built throughout exercises like Pitch Black cannot be underestimated," he said.
"Training side by side and spending time with our international partners develops trust, understanding and confidence in each other's capabilities, something that simply can't be replicated in a classroom or virtual environment."
Pitch Black was held from July 20 to August 7, primarily in northern Australia.
