The Royal Australian Air Force announced on July 21st, 2024, that night flying activity would take place during Exercise PITCH BLACK 24. That announcement reads below:."Flying periods during Exercise Pitch Black 24 from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal are:.July 15-17: 7am until 7pm.July 18: 7am until 7:30pm.July 22-25: 8am until 10.30pm.July 28 to August 1: 8am until 10.30pm.Air-to-air refueling aircraft and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley will be required to operate outside of these periods.".20 nations have been participating including Canada, Brunei, France, Germany, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, and the United States..However, the exercise has now been paused after an Italian Eurofighter crashed at approximately 2345 EST on July 23rd, 2024. Darwin Aircraft movement confirmed the following details:."An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has crashed in the Douglas Daly region, roughly 18km south-west of Daly River. A successful ejection by the pilot was conducted and he was picked up by CHOP41 (VH-RQY – A139) and airlifted to the Royal Darwin Hospital, landing safely at 1305. The pilot is reportedly safe and well.".It is not currently clear when the exercise will resume, it has been suspended since 0230 EST this morning.
The Royal Australian Air Force announced on July 21st, 2024, that night flying activity would take place during Exercise PITCH BLACK 24. That announcement reads below:."Flying periods during Exercise Pitch Black 24 from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal are:.July 15-17: 7am until 7pm.July 18: 7am until 7:30pm.July 22-25: 8am until 10.30pm.July 28 to August 1: 8am until 10.30pm.Air-to-air refueling aircraft and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley will be required to operate outside of these periods.".20 nations have been participating including Canada, Brunei, France, Germany, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, and the United States..However, the exercise has now been paused after an Italian Eurofighter crashed at approximately 2345 EST on July 23rd, 2024. Darwin Aircraft movement confirmed the following details:."An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has crashed in the Douglas Daly region, roughly 18km south-west of Daly River. A successful ejection by the pilot was conducted and he was picked up by CHOP41 (VH-RQY – A139) and airlifted to the Royal Darwin Hospital, landing safely at 1305. The pilot is reportedly safe and well.".It is not currently clear when the exercise will resume, it has been suspended since 0230 EST this morning.
