RSAF PARTICIPATES IN MULTILATERAL AIR COMBAT EXERCISE IN DARWIN

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is participating in a multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Darwin, Australia. The exercise, codenamed Exercise Pitch Black, comprises day and night air combat operations and air-to-air refueling missions.

Exercise Pitch Black 2010 is being conducted from 16 Jul to 6 Aug and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are also taking part in the exercise.

The RSAF has about 180 personnel, eight F-16C/D fighter jets, an E-2C Airborne Early Warning aircraft and a KC-135R tanker aircraft participating in the exercise, together with the RAAF's F/A-18s, F-111s and Hawk 127 fighter jets, PC-9/A advanced trainer aircraft, and King Air B350 transport aircraft. The RNZAF is participating with a C-130 transport aircraft and the RTAF, with F-16 fighter jets.

This year s edition of Exercise Pitch Black is the 20th year of the exercise which started as an exercise between the RSAF and RAAF, and later included other air forces in the region. Exercise Pitch Black has given the RSAF an invaluable opportunity to conduct air operations under realistic training conditions and enhance interoperability with the other participating air forces since its inception in 1990. The exercise also underscores the good working relationship and professional cooperation between the RSAF and the other exercise participants.

Chief of Air Force Major-General Ng Chee Meng is co-hosting a commemorative dinner with his Australian counterpart, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, in Darwin on 24 Jul, to mark the 20th anniversary of Exercise Pitch Black.