EXERCISE Pitch Black 24 – Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) most significant flying activity, now in its 43rd year, for the first time – hosts a detachment of the PNGDF Air Transport Wing.
The RAAF has been working closely with the Air Element’s Air Transport Wing (ATW) to build its safety aviation framework system, including helping train its maintainers, ground personnel and aircrew. Under the Flights of Excellence Program – this long-term partnership aims to build and grow the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s sovereign air capability.
The PNGDF Air Element was sent an invitation in 2023 after a request from Acting Commander Philip Polewara. On 10th July, ATW deployed with two PAC750s, including aircrew and support staff-a small but capable contingent. A contractor from Helifix and several RAAF members who worked in exchange with ATW were embedded with the team.
Exercise Pitch Black 24 will provide many benefits, including forces integration training,
Operational level planning in a large force setting and assessments of individual competency levels. The experiences will contribute to the overall construct of the capability development plan of the Air Element in its journey to becoming a future Air Force.
