Exercise Pitch Black 26 concludes today after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training in the skies over Australia's Top End.
Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force's biennial international air combat exercise and this year over 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft from 21 partner nations have honed their ability to work together for the past three weeks.
Operating predominantly from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory as well as RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, participating nations conducted complex, air combat missions across one of the world's largest military training areas.
This year's exercise saw the debut of the Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft and Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft in Pitch Black.
Exercise Commander of Pitch Black 26, Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Matthew McCormack, said the exercise had delivered significant operational and relationship-building outcomes for all participating nations.
"The feedback from all international partners and our own people alike was that Exercise Pitch Black 26 is a world-class air combat training activity," AIRCDRE McCormack said.
"Exercise Pitch Black brings together air forces from across the globe to plan together, fight together and learn together through realistic and complex training scenarios.
"The value of this exercise comes from the experience we've built with our international partners, and the friendships and relationships we've created with them on the ground and in the air.
"As the Commander of the exercise and I am proud to see the conduct of a safe activity and one where every member, from every nation achieved the training objectives they sought."
Exercise Pitch Black's strong emphasis on cooperation, from the individual level through to how nations work together during air operations, contributes to a secure, open, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the exercise, the Northern Territory community once again had the opportunity to see participating aircraft in the air and on the ground and meet military personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
AIRCDRE McCormack thanked the Northern Territory community for its continued support of the exercise which has been held since 1981, and home to Darwin since 1983.
"We're very grateful for the communities of the Northern Territory who are supportive of this vital training for our aviators," AIRCDRE McCormack said.
"We had more than 30,000 people at the Mindil Beach Flying Display on 23 July, welcomed 25,500 visitors to the RAAF Base Darwin Open Day on 1 August, and engaged with more than 2,200 children through school and community activities supported by our international partners.
"The opportunity for us and local communities to interact with personnel from across the world is a unique aspect of Pitch Black and helps strengthen the enduring friendships that underpin our defence partnerships.
"The enthusiasm and hospitality shown by Territorians also makes Pitch Black memorable for our visiting personnel and demonstrates Australia's commitment to working with partners and allies in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous region."
Communities can expect a reduction in flying activity following the conclusion of Exercise Pitch Black, however military aircraft operations will continue throughout August.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force will continue to exercise from Darwin with F-16 and F-15 fighter jets.
Exercise Pitch Black remains a critical training activity that strengthens relationships among partners and allies, and builds interoperability through the training scenarios.
