From state-of-the-art fighter jets neutralising would-be enemies to collective problem-solving about simulated aerial threats, Exercise Pitch Black 2024 is currently underway in Australia with a large New Zealand Defence Force contingent involved.

Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier flying exercise held in northern Australia every two years with this iteration being the largest since its establishment in 1981.

The NZDF contingent numbers nearly 70 personnel, who are embedded within the Australian Defence Force.

Overall, more than 4400 personnel from 20 nations are expected to attend over the course of the exercise, with more than 140 aircraft taking part.

These include United States Air Force F-22A and the RAAF’s F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, as well as combat aircraft from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom. 

Other aircraft include refuelling tankers, surveillance and air mobility aircraft. It’s also the first time an aircraft carrier – the Italian Navy’s 244 metre-long carrier Cavour - has been embedded at the exercise, operating in the Timor Sea.

An RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet conducts a flying demonstration over Mindl Beach in Darwin.

The NZDF is contributing a significant supporting role to the exercise across aircraft refuelling, security forces and working military dogs, military police, logistics and intelligence personnel, medics, chefs, technicians, an air loading team, firefighters and personnel based in air operations headquarters. 

Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore Daniel ‘DJ’ Hunt, says this exercise is a significant opportunity for NZDF personnel to embed with Australian units and enhance interoperability.

“Participating in high quality multi-national exercises like this is essential to our personnel being ready to respond to a range of scenarios, often alongside our international partners, and of course our ally Australia.

“This exercise also gives our personnel the opportunity to support some of the most advanced technology and aircraft in the world, and shows our partners how highly skilled and valuable our men and women are in a multi-national environment."

Northern Australia has one of the largest military training airspaces in the world, providing the opportunity to conduct exercises on a scale and complexity that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

 An Indonesian Air Force F-16A in full flight.

The total airspace for the exercise is almost the size of Great Britain.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the NZDF’s first attendance at Exercise Pitch Black in 1984 and Air Commodore Hunt says it’s still incredibly valuable for the NZDF to participate.

“Ultimately, our participation in exercises like these are crucial in reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to supporting the international rules-based order, and reiterates that we are a reliable and valued partner in the Indo-Pacific,” Air Commodore Hunt says.

The exercise’s commanding officer, the RAAF’s Air Commodore Pete Robinson, says the NZDF contribution is essential.

“The New Zealand Defence Force has been part of the fabric of Pitch Black since 1984, making them one of our longest running partners at this exercise,” he says.

“Embedded personnel from New Zealand are working with Australians and other nations at RAAF Bases Darwin and Amberley, and their contributions are essential to the success of Exercise Pitch Black 24.”

RNZAF personnel working out of RAAF Base Darwin are refuelling planes throughout the exercise, as well as other logistics roles.

Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats and will involve combat aircraft flying various offensive counter air scenarios.

Supporting activities like air-to-air refuelling, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance flights will also form part of the programme.

Sub Lieutenant Campbell Ecklein is one of many NZDF personnel based in operations roles, photographed at the Space Operations Centre.