Night flights finish for Exercise Diamond Storm

Over the last two weeks, Air Force aviators successfully completed the day and night flying elements of Exercise Diamond Storm from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, with the last night-time mission planned for the evening of June 16.

CAPTION: A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft departs RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

Exercise Director, Group Captain Matthew Harper, thanked the Northern Territory community for its support during the exercise thus far.

“We could not do this without the understanding and support of the Northern Territory community, and we’re grateful for the Top End’s hospitality during this exercise,” Group Captain Harper said.

“The Northern Territory has some of the best airspace and training ranges in the world, and night-flying is an essential component of our training.”

Exercise Diamond Storm 22 is the culmination of the six-month Air Warfare Instructor Course, and brings together some of the most talented aviators from across the Air Force.

“The objective of the Air Warfare Instructor Course is to graduate these aviators as instructors who are experts at integrating across Air Force and the wider joint force,” Group Captain Harper said.

“The students are trained to fight day or night and in all weather conditions. In order to meet our training requirements, they must be exposed to these conditions.

“We follow strict noise mitigation procedures at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal to reduce the impact of noise on the community, while also safely accomplishing our mission.”

Flying operations for Exercise Diamond Storm 22 will return to day-time only for the final week of the exercise over June 20-24.

CAPTION: Two Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers depart from RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

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