RTAF celebrate 20 years at Pitch Black
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is celebrating two decades of participation in Exercise Pitch Black, one of the world’s premier multinational air-combat training exercises.
CAPTION: Royal Thai Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Toranin Metananta departs RAAF Base Darwin for a sortie in a JAS-39 Gripen C during Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.
This year, RTAF brought five JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to demonstrate its evolving capabilities and reaffirm its commitment to regional security and cooperation.
Exercise Pitch Black 24 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s biennial capstone international engagement exercise, with forces drawn from a wide range of regional, coalition and allied nations.
Group Captain Arnon Charusombat, the RTAF detachment commander, expressed the significance of this milestone.
“Royal Thai Air Force has been participating in Exercise Pitch Black since 2004 and we are excited to be here,” Group Captain Charusombat said.
“Exercise Pitch Black is one of the most important exercises we participate in.
“The available air space is very large and offers a great learning opportunity.”
His enthusiasm underscores the enduring partnership between Thailand and Australia, reflecting on how the exercise has become a cornerstone for mutual learning and collaboration.
Over the past two decades, the RTAF Pitch Black footprint has evolved significantly.
“The capability we have brought throughout the years has changed – 20 years ago we brought the LM F-16 aircraft, and now we have started to bring a new ability with the JAS 39 Gripen,” Group Captain Charusombat said.
“This transition highlights the RTAF’s commitment to maintaining modern, effective air-combat capabilities.”
The longstanding relationship between Thailand and Australia, established in 1952, has fostered numerous collaborative efforts, including joint exercises such as Thai Boomerang in Thailand.
“It’s a great experience working beside Australia and other nations,” Group Captain Charusombat said.
“We share and learn together.
“By working with our partnered nations, we are able to celebrate and enhance our readiness as one team of friends.
“It’s really important that we continue to work together and collaborate in support of peace and freedom.
“As Exercise Pitch Black 2024 unfolds, the continued collaboration between the RTAF and its international partners reaffirms its shared commitment to regional stability and operational excellence.”
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