Last major exercise for the F-111

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23 July 2010

Royal Australian Air Force F-111s are taking part in Exercise ‘Pitch Black’.
 

July 23: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111s are taking part in Exercise ‘Pitch Black’, which began on July 16 and is the largest RAAF Field Training Exercise for 2010. Four F-111s from 6 Squadron based at RAAF Amberley in Queensland have been detached to Darwin for the exercise.

Pitch Black involves a combination of day and night flying from RAAF bases at Darwin and Tindal and will involve participants from the Australian Army and elements of the Singapore, New Zealand and Thailand air forces participating in the tasking, planning and execution of Offensive Counter Air and Offensive Air Support operations in a coalition environment.

The F-111s will return to Darwin for Exercises ‘Kakadu’ and ‘Singaroo’ later next month before being withdrawn at the beginning of December. Wing Commader Micka Gray, Commanding Officer of 6 Squadron, said the F-111 has been very successful for a very long time. "The F-111 was an aircraft ahead of its time. I am sure the end of 2010 will be an emotional time for many people when we say goodbye to the ‘Pig’. But for now we have F-111s to prepare, fly and fight.

"The F-111 is just a magnificent aircraft. I first flew it 22 years ago as a young fella and I've flown a lot of hours in it. It touches you just to be part of the F-111 community whether you are flying it, maintaining it or supporting it". The RAAF is the last operator of the F-111, which has been in service since 1973.

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