‘Pitch Black’ – US, Aussies And Allies Launch Air Power Drills In Pacific

ANALYSIS – Message to China. Lots of allies arrayed against you. Exercise “Pitch Black” is a biennial war games operation hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force.

Yes, it gets very dark in the Pacific and over much of Australia at night.

This year's iteration – running from July 12 to August 2, 2024 – will be the biggest in its 43-year history, with 20 participating nations and more than 140 aircraft flying in the exercise.

Included for first-time participation will be aircraft from Italy, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Spain, with embedded personnel from Brunei and Fiji also making their first appearance.

The exercise will also include its very own dedicated aircraft carrier for the first time as the Italian Navy's ITS Cavour joins the massive drill.

The Italian warship's participation in the Australian drill highlights the expanding European presence in the Indo Pacific region.

Australian Aviation noted:

In addition, aircraft from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States; and embedded personnel from Canada and New Zealand will also participate.

Aircraft will operate from RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional tanker and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

Defense News reported a second set of airpower drills farther north that will then move south:

A pan-European force made up of the French, German and Spanish air forces is deploying first to Alaska under an overarching deployment effort, dubbed Pacific Skies, before making its way into the Pacific. Under that umbrella operation, those nations will participate in the Alaska-based exercise Arctic Defender, then continue into the Pacific where they will join the Rim of the Pacific drills off Hawaii, the exercise Nippon Skies in Japan, Pitch Black in Australia, and Tarang Shakti drills in India.

The strong European presence in the Indo-Pacific comes amid regional tension, as noted in the Australian government's National Defence Strategy released in April.

“Entrenched and increasing strategic competition between the United States (US) and China is a primary feature of our security environment,” the document stated. “It is being accompanied by an unprecedented conventional and non-conventional military build-up in our region, taking place without strategic reassurance or transparency.”

The outlet added:

Air Commodore Pete Robinson, who commands the Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group and will lead Pitch Black, told Defense News the events are an opportunity for the country's NATO partners “to validate true global reach and build interoperability in the region.”

Meanwhile, America's traditional Asian partners will also be participating.

 A spokesperson for the Japan Air-Self Defense Force noted that its participation will contribute to a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region.

“The purpose [of the Japan Air-Self Defense Force's involvement) is to improve the tactical skills of participating units, enhance interoperability with the RAAF and U.S. forces, and deepen mutual understanding with the participating countries in [a] practical environment,” the spokesperson added.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

READ NEXT: Secret Service Chief's Absolutely Insane Sniper Positioning Defense [VIDEO]