Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

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4 AIR F RCE C August g 2, , 2012 News RIMPAC time for Orions APT Sarah Vesey WO Orions from 10 and 11SQNs rovided anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and maritime surveillance issions at Exercise Rim of the Pacific 012 (RIMPAC) in Hawaii. Two 2SQN Wedgetail aircraft, rews and support personnel also paricipated. RIMPAC, the world’s largest martime exercise involving 22 nations, egan on June 27 and was due to finish n August 2. The exercise practises the skills of ersonnel as well as testing the aircraft n an international environment. The Orions operated out of the arine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, orking alongside Patrol Squadron P-4 (call sign Skinny Dragons) and atrol Squadron VP-47 (call sign the olden Swordsmen). The Australian team, along with anadian, Japanese, South Korean and ew Zealand maritime patrol aircraft etachments, were well supported by heir US counterparts. 92WG RIMPAC Detachment Commander WGCDR John Grime said it had been fantastic effort by the team of maintenance, aircrew and support staff. “The opportunity to work with our international counterparts and the Royal Australian Navy improves our high-end warfare fighting skills and in particular our anti submarine warfare skills,” WGCDR Grime said. “We cannot achieve this level of intensity and complexity at any exercise other than RIMPAC.” The maintenance crew had their work cut out for them, loading up to 84 sonobuoys for an anti-submarine warfare mission and conducting preflight checks to ensure the aircraft were ready for aircrew to launch on time. In flight, the aircraft was controlled by a ship-borne aircraft control unit, and once on station, the crews were tasked to conduct anti-submarine or anti-surface warfare by one or many surface vessels taking part in the sea phase of RIMPAC. Aircraft maintainer SGT David Anson, who worked at the coalface in ensuring the aircraft was maintained correctly and ready to go for each mission, said the schedule was busy. “There are lots of moving parts to coordinate in order to get the aircraft ready on time,” SGT Anson said. “It is a great opportunity to see how other nations do business and to improve our practices and help other nations as well.” The Wedgetail provided battlespace management at RIMPAC, specifically in the roles of offensive and defensive counter-air, maritime strike BBUSY SCHEDULE: Above, aircraft maintainers cconduct post-flight checks on an Orion; left, aaircraft on the flightline at Kaneohe Bay. Photos: PO Ollie Garside $89.00 and interdiction, dynamic targeting, air-to-air refuelling and joint personnel recovery. As well as the aircraft, 2SQN deployed 63 members, comprising aircrew, operations support, maintenance and Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit personnel. LOADING UP: Aircraft maintainer CPL Chris Whyte passes sonobuoys to LAC Ben Dangerfield, both of 11SQN, in preparation for the next Orion mission at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii during RIMPAC. SOFT SHELL JACKET Waterproof, breathable navy blue soft shell jacket embroidered with the Air Force badge. FEATURES • 1000MM waterproof rating • 1000G/M2 breathability rating • Men’s and women’s styles • Two-way zipper • Microfleece lining • Zippered chest pocket Men’s Sizes: S-3XL Women’s Sizes: S-2XL Air Force Shop at Military Shop 65 Kembla Street Fyshwick Canberra airforceshop.com.au 02 6123 2930
AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 News Welcome to Pitch Black FLTLT Cath Friend and Eamon Hamilton THREE 77SQN Hornets provided a fitting welcome to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) on July 26 when they escorted four Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker jets into RAAF Base Darwin for the start of Exercise Pitch Black 2012. It is the first time the TNI AU has participated in Pitch Black, hich is the largest and most ntense exercise on the RAAF alendar. The Indonesians have joined Australia, New Zealand, ingapore, Thailand, and the US n the Top End for the biennial arge Force employment exercise, hich began on July 27 and will nd on August 17. Along with Indonesian lankers, a number of new airraft will participate in this year’s xercise, including the debut of ingapore’s F-15SG Eagle and ulfstream G550 Conformal irborne Early Warning aircraft. This year’s Pitch Black will lso feature the debut appearance f the RAAF’s Super Hornet, edgetail, and KC-30A tanker. Elsewhere, the RAAF will operate its King Air 350, Hawk 127 Lead-in fighter, AP-3C Orion, C-130J and, for the final time in its career, the C-130H Hercules. The Royal Thai Air Force will employ its F-16s, while the US Marine Corps has brought F/A-18s and KC-130J tankers and Singapore have also returned F-16s and KC-135 tankers to the exercise. Up to 94 aircraft will battle it out between ‘blue’ and ‘red’ forces, supported by more than 2200 personnel, with crews flying missions at training ranges across the Northern Territory out of RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Anthony Grady said this year’s Pitch Black would be one of the most fast-paced exercises ever staged in Australia. “I am confident that it will prove to be both exhilarating and professionally challenging for all those involved,” he said. “The aim of Pitch Black is to exercise international forces in the planning and execution of largescale offensive counter air operations and counter-land operations DHOAS Saver Home Loan % 6.05p.a. Annual variable rate Great features, great rate > No monthly fees > 100% Mortgage offset defencebank.com.au in a coalition environment against a capable adversary force,” he said. Aircrew and maintenance personnel were welcomed to the exercise by GPCAPTs Michael Kitcher and Joe Iervasi on July 27, and at the time of going to print, the first missions were scheduled to launch on July 30. Further coverage of Exercise Pitch Black will feature in coming editions. GREETINGS: WGCDR Max Merritt, of ACG, welcomes Kolonel Agus Munandar, the commander of the TNI AU detachment, to RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: FSGT John Carroll WE’RE WITH YOU: Looking down from the cockpit of a 77SQN F/A- 18, two other squadron Hornets fly alongside four TNI AU Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker jets which arrived in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black. Photo: SGT Shane Gidall % 6.11p.a. Comparison rate * Call 1800 033 139 or visit your local Defence Bank branch * Comparison rate is based upon $150,000 loan secured loan over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on request. Approval subject to the satisfaction of Defence Bank’s lending criteria. DHOAS eligibility criteria also apply. 100% Mortgage offset available on variable rate loans. Interest rates current as at 18 July 2012, and are subject to change. Please refer to defencebank.com.au for current rates. 5 Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 234582 (07/12)
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Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

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