Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial three-week multi-national large force employment exercise conducted from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal.

Exercise Pitch Black 2018 will be held from 27 July to 17 August 2018.

Exercises such as Pitch Black are pivotal to ensuring Air Force remains ready to respond whenever the Australian Government requires. The training and integration of forces that occur during this exercise directly support Air Force’s ability to conduct operations.

Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration, utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world — Bradshaw Field Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

The exercise hosts up to 4000 personnel and up to 140 aircraft from around the globe including participants from Australia, Canada, France (New Caledonia), Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia and the United States and will include day and night flying.

Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognises the strong relationship Australia has with its participant nations and the high value it places on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Find out more at the Exercise Pitch Black 2018 webpage.

Australia’s largest military exercise, Talisman Saber, was officially opened today aboard the United States Landing Helicopter Dock the USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) off the Sydney coast.

Minister for Urban Development, the Honourable Paul Fletcher MP, representing the Minister for Defence, and the US Charge d’Affaires, Mr James Carouso, officially announced the start of the combined military exercise Talisman Saber taking place from late June through to late July. Field training will occur in Shoalwater Bay Training Area, near Rockhampton and Mount Bundy Training Area, south of Darwin.

The Minister was joined by the US Pacific Forces Commander, Admiral ADM Harry B. Harris, Jr and Officer Conducting the Exercise, Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral David Johnston along with other senior Australian Defence Force.

Vice Admiral Johnston said the exercise is important to highlight and certify the interoperability between the forces.

“Talisman Saber is the premier Australia‑United States bilateral exercise,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

“This year, we are pleased to see personnel from New Zealand, Japan and Canada embedded within Australian and United States units.”

Over 33,000 military personnel will participate in the largest bilateral military exercise between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States military.

“The exercise provides invaluable experience to ADF personnel to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability, exposing participants to a wide spectrum of military capabilities and training experiences,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

Focused on mid-intensity, high-end warfighting, Talisman Saber 2017 will incorporate force preparation activities, Special Forces activities, amphibious landings, parachuting, land force manoeuvre, urban operations, air operations, maritime operations and a number of live fire components.

“Regular training and exercising between our military forces serves to enhance our combat readiness and interoperability,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

“This enables our military forces to be prepared and capable of meeting future security challenges in our region and globally.”

Personnel will also operate from Australia in Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra; and from the United States in Hawaii, Indiana, Virginia, Colorado and Washington.

2SECFOR plays an important role in the security of Air Force assets during TS13. 2 SECFOR are responsible for the Military Working Dog (MWD) capability at RAAF Base Townsville.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Military Working Dog Handler, Leading Aircraftman Brad Frischkorn from 2nd Security Force, RAAF Amberley, patrols the surrounds of Williamson Airfield with Military Working Dog ‘Ice’ during Exercise Talisman Saber 2013.

Royal Australian Air Force, 2nd Security Force from RAAF Base Amberley and U.S. Air Force personnel are providing security, observation and vehicle check points as part of the Combined Combat Support Element at Williamson Airfield, in the Shoalwater Bay training area, to deny enemy access during Exercise Talisman Saber 2013.

Military Working Dogs and Explosive Detection Dogs are embedded to assist with early warning of the enemy and detect explosives in vehicles.

Exercise Talisman Saber (15 July – 5 August 2013) is a major bilateral exercise designed to improve training and interoperability between Australian and United States military forces and other government agencies. Around 28,000 Australian and U.S. personnel are taking part in the 21-day exercise, currently being conducted in the Coral Sea and military training areas in central and northern Queensland. Supporting activities are also underway in the waters of the Timor and Arafura Seas, and throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory.