Exercise Pitch Black Day 1

[burnsy133]

Back in late June I was facing the prospect of turning 50, and despite my other half pestering me for over 12 months regarding if i wanted to go spotting somewhere for hitting the half century, here i was, sat with nothing booked. I had trawled the boards, and it was looking like RIAT or a long weekend in Tanagra for the Athens week flying. Having done RIAT virtually every year since i was 18, and the fact i attended Tanagra last year, it looked like i was going to look a gift horse in its mouth and settle for Fairford. Around the 7th July i was looking on the Scramble boards and something caught my eye, not something i hadn't noticed before...quick phone call to my other half, who not for the first time questioned my sanity, then 6 hours of trawling the net and it was booked.

6 days later i was leaving Manchester on the new Juneyao service, to Shanghai, quick change to Juneyao's Bali service, then a short hop over to Darwin, yep you read right, I had decided to pop down to Australia for a bi-annual exercise by the name of Pitch Black.

Still kind of pinching myself (with this being the longest solo trip i had undertaken (no mates could join me due to how late i left it) the following we taken of the recoveries for Day 1, Mission 1.

Had to giggle when the first arrival was a pair of 11Sqn Typhoons, 8500 miles from home and the first thing I shoot is from my local.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Next arrivals were a little more exotic and most definitely not regulars at my local.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Jostling for the exotic arrival award that morning, the Republic of Singapore Airforce sent in their entry, in the shape of 140 Sqn F-16D.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024. by Rob Burns, on Flickr

The next two Singaporian F-16's decided to give some of the limelight to 2 x Italian Navy F-35's, with a smart run and break.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Not to be outdone by the F-16D mob, two F-16C's from the Republic of Singapore Airforce were next to recover.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Rather surprised to see these showing on ADSB, but guess its for traffic purposes whilst operating at a civilian airport ??

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

After showing a pair of F-35's in their initial hand, the Italians decided to go all full house with 3 Typhoons.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/rob-burns/]Rob Burns[/url], on Flickr


Next up, it was time for the Indians to come to the party, so many types they could have sent, but they decided on SU-30's...not being one to complain i accepted there efforts, even if they were slightly high on the approach, leaving this with the best i could do..

Exercise Pitch Black 2004 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Pitch Black 2o24 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Next back was a non too common Republic of Singapore Airforce Gulf 550.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Back to the fighter action and the Japanese decided to pitch there entry for the rarest movements with some F-2's

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Throughout the exercise, the locals took part extensively with F-35's and F-18s from the fast jet section.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Next arrivals were the Philippine airforce with their impressive KA-50's, whilst labelled as training aircraft, im not sure :-)

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 - Day 1 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Time for more rarity, as F-16BM's of the Indonesian airforce arrived back.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

The gems just kept coming, as the Royal Thai Airforce arrived back with their Gripen's.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 Day 1 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

Turn of the Australians to recover more aircraft, this time with a special marked EA-18G's

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 by Rob Burns, on Flickr

And that concluded Moring 1, mission 1, kind of wet my appetite for what was to come for the next 5 days.

If you got this far, thanks for looking.

[awesome3]

Awesome report a great read
Superb photos

[PhilE]

Fantastic shots, thanks for sharing. Phil

[F3]

Good for you on treating yourself to an epic trip Down Under Rob. After all you can't take it with you! Superb set by the way. Well worth it. Lucky man to have such an understanding other half. Get her something nice like a cuddly Koala. Don't think the Aussies do perfume!

[paddyboy]

Superb set, all round, Rob

[Gaz J]

Great set and variety there.
I’ve had the same issue, in Europe miles from home and the first aircraft I see is a local Coningbsy Typhoon lol.

[blackbird60]

Love the Gulfstream. Congats on a superb trip great photos.

[Stratocruiser]

A truly excellent post.
Thanks for sharing your awesome captures

[ewddie]

Brilliant set of shots from the Top End down under, you’ve done really well there in the great light. Can’t wait to see more if you survived the heat for other outings. Maybe even the PNG Aero 750 with the sharks mouth?
Many thanks for sharing them.

[Vulcanone]

I think the Phillipine AF bought the FA50 version, which is a fighter version with attack capabilities. Poland has done the same althought the deal appears to be going a bit sour....

[Jonathan Warner]

Great variety there!

[Harkins]

Terrific shots and wow! what a variety of types and air arms involved.