The roar of jet engines filled the skies as four F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft from Australia's 75 Squadron touched down in Kuantan, Malaysia, for Exercise Bersama Lima, marking their second consecutive year of participation in the multinational military drill.
The exercise - part of the longstanding Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) - brings together forces from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
This year, the Australian contingent is eager to deepen its collaboration with regional partners, particularly the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, as well as naval assets from the UK Carrier Strike Group operating in the South China Sea.
Executive Officer of 75 Squadron, Squadron Leader Anthony, said they are excited to be in Malaysia and working with the five-nation partners.
"We're looking forward to working closely with the Malaysians based here in Kuantan, especially flying alongside their SU-30 Flankers and F-18 Hornets," Squadron Leader Anthony said.
"We'll be conducting familiarisation flights, basic fighter manoeuvres, self-escort strikes and missions down to Singapore."
Though the journey to Kuantan was no simple hop.
Departing from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, the squadron linked up with a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker out of Darwin for aerial refuelling.
The route took them across Bali and Singapore, with multiple refuelling rendezvous before arriving in Malaysia.
Squadron Leader Anthony, a veteran of previous FPDA exercises in 2009 and 2010, emphasised the importance of the rotational approach among Royal Australian Air Force units.
"Air Combat Group has a rich history of cooperation in this region, so it's great to be back and to see the professionalism of the Royal Malaysian Air Force firsthand. I'm especially excited to get a closer look at the SU-30 Flanker."
Exercise Bersama Lima continues to serve as a vital platform for enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence ties among the five nations.
