http://www.defence.gov.au/pitchblack/default.htm
Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force's largest
exercise. It provides participants with high complexity Air Combat
training opportunities. Pitch Black exercises are held biennially.
Pitch Black 2004 will be conducted in the Top End between 19 July
and 5 August 2004.
Exercise Pitch Black is expected to inject approximately $7 million
(AUSD) into the Top End.
Exercise Pitch Black 2004 will allow the men and women of the Royal
Australian Air Force to train together with Air Force
representatives from Thailand, France, and Singapore.
There will be approximately 1000 additional personnel deployed to
RAAF Base Darwin and a further 700 personnel deployed to RAAF Base
Tindal.
Approximately 75 aircraft will participate in Exercise Pitch Black
2004.
Participating personnel include:
Australian personnel drawn from Bases across Australia representing
Air Combat Group, Surveillance and Response Group, Combat Support
Group, Air Lift Group and the Australian Army.
About 190 Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel at RAAF
Darwin.
Approximately 120 Royal Thai Air Force personnel at RAAF Darwin,
and
About 80 French Air Force personnel, also at RAAF Darwin.
The exercise is scheduled to officially open on Sunday 18 July
2004.
As the Joint Force Air Component Commander, Air Commodore John
Quaife is responsible for the overall command and control of the
exercise. About 120 personnel at the Combined Air Operations Centre
at RAAF Base Glenbrook in Sydney will conduct Pitch Black 2004
operations.
Group Captain Richard Owen and his staff will coordinate exercise
activities through an Exercise Control office. Exercise Control
will be located at RAAF Base Darwin.
