The return of Exercise Pitch Black after a break of four years due to the pandemic marks an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Pitch Black pits warfighters’ air combat skills against simulated threats in a challenging and realistic training environment. 

Exercise Pitch Black 2022 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) most significant international training event with forces participating from a wide range of partner and allied nations. The exercise is a biennial three-week large force employment exercise conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal from August 19 to September 8. 

Pitch Black enhances U.S. relationships with regional and global allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques, and procedures. 

It is also the first time that the RAAF’s F-35A aircraft is participating in this exercise. They join the U.S. Marines out of bases in Japan who operate the F-35B. Pitch Black welcomes more than 100 aircraft from 17 nations flying day and night missions.  

Singapore, who has participated in Pitch Black since 1990 and is a new F-35 customer, looks forward to operating with the multi-role F-35 and receiving valuable insights on its capabilities. Singapore’s first F-35s will be delivered in 2026. Multinational exercise Pitch Black 2022 commences in Australia (airforce-technology.com)