RMAF Deploys Three F/A-18D Hornets and an A400M for Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Australia

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan has officiated the sending-off ceremony for the RMAF contingent participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Australia, held at Butterworth Air Base today.

Exercise Pitch Black is a major biennial air combat exercise organized by Australia, involving multiple countries.

According to an RMAF social media statement today, this year’s exercise will be conducted from July 12 to August 2, 2024, with operations centred at the Royal Australian Air Force Bases in Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley.

RMAF has participated in this exercise three times, beginning in 2008, followed by 2018 and 2022.

However, the 2022 participation only included personnel without any assets.

 

This year marks the fourth participation of RMAF, comprising 37 officers and 66 other ranks, along with three F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets and an A400M transport aircraft.

The RMAF contingent will be led by Colonel Hasfa Nyzam bin Abdul Hamid as the Head of Delegation.

This edition of Exercise Pitch Black is set to be the largest in its 43-year history, featuring 20 countries, 140 aircraft of various types, and approximately 4,435 personnel.

Participating countries include the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, Fiji, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and several others.

The exercise will encompass a full spectrum of training, presenting various realistic and simulated threats encountered in a modern combat environment.

 

During the exercise, RMAF will engage in the Force Integration Phase, involving Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) and Air Combat Tactics (Beyond Visual Range).

RMAF will also participate in the Large Force Employment Phase, integrating all fighter assets, Multi-Role Transport Tankers, and Command and Control (C2) operations, along with Air-to-Air Refueling.

RMAF’s involvement in this large-scale exercise is expected to provide new knowledge to the aircrew and personnel involved, particularly in planning and executing complex exercises.

It will also enhance operational readiness, interoperability of RMAF’s strategic assets, mastery of air combat tactics, and the skills and capacity of participating officers and personnel.

 

The Air Force Chief also presented Pitch Black 2024 patches to the officers and personnel involved and offered motivational words.

Also in attendance were the Air Operations Commander, Lieutenant General Datuk Mohd Shahada bin Ismail, and the Air Region 1 Commander, Major General Dato’ Mahadzer bin Amin. – DSA