Opportunities to see aircraft in Darwin

Australian and international air forces will be arriving in Darwin this week in preparation for Exercise Pitch Black 2016 – and members of the public have a window of opportunity to view the main force arrival at RAAF Base Darwin on Wednesday 27 July and Thursday 28 July between 12.30pm and 6.30pm.

A publicly accessible viewing area is located off Amy Johnson Avenue on the eastern side of RAAF Base Darwin.

There will also be two other major opportunities during Exercise Pitch Black for the public to see aircraft in action.

A handling display and flypasts will be performed over Mindil Beach on Thursday 11 August and an Open Day at RAAF Base Darwin is scheduled for Saturday 13 August.

Both these opportunities are free.

Exercise Pitch Black is the Air Force’s largest training activity and will be conducted in the Northern Territory from Friday 29 July to Friday 19 August.

The Royal Australian Air Force is proud to host up to 115 aircraft and 2500 personnel who will come together for Exercise Pitch Black 2016.

The Northern Territory will welcome exercise participants from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, France (New Caledonia), Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the USA.

The exercise will use airspace over Bradshaw Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

Air Commodore Christopher Sawade, Head of Special Events, said major exercises such as Pitch Black were pivotal in ensuring the Royal Australian Air Force remained ready to respond whenever the Australian Government required.

“The training and integration of forces that occurs during these exercises directly supports Air Force’s ability to conduct operations, such as current missions in the Middle East against Daesh,” Air Commodore Sawade said.

 

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