DARWIN, Australia - On July 5, 2024, the Italian Air Force deployed to Australia to participate in the multinational exercise Pitch Black. A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) exercise hosted at RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.
A mixed 400-strong Italian Air Force detachment deployed to Darwin on July 5. In the coming weeks they will fly during the exercise with six F-35A and F-35B, four Eurofighters jets, supported by a KC-767A air-to-air-refueling aircraft and an E-550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) plane as a command and control platform.
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The CAEW aircraft (Conformal Airborne Early Warning), Italian designation E-550A is the most advanced multi-sensor system which provides airborne surveillance, command, control, and communications during air operations. Archive photo by Italian Air Force
Italian Eurofighters will fly with six F-35A and B, supported by a KC-767A air-to-air-refueling aircraft and an E-550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) plane. Photo by seacandyimages
Fighters will be supported by a KC-767A air-to-air-refueling aircraft during exercise Pitch Black in Australia. Photo by seacandyimages
The Italian Air Force deployed the force to the Indo-Pacific region for combined flying with regional partners, demonstrating long-range expeditionary capabilities. For the first time, the Italian Air Force will participate in the live-fly training activity.
Organized by the RAAF from July 12 to August 2, 2024, exercise Pitch Black 24 is the largest in the exercise’s 43-year history. It brings together 20 nations and over 140 aircraft from around the world, with approximately 4,435 personnel participating.
This year’s exercise will be conducted primarily from RAAF Bases at Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory; with additional aircraft operating from RAAF Base Amberley, located near Ipswich in Queensland, Australia.
Besides Italy, several other NATO Allies are participating in exercise Pitch Black 2024, showcasing their ability to deploy and operate alongside Partners well over 12,000 kms away from their European homes.
Australia is one of NATO's Partners in the Indo-Pacific region, together with Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. The Indo-Pacific is important for the Alliance, given that developments in that region can directly affect Euro-Atlantic security.