Every two years the Royal Australian Air Force hosts a series of simulated air warfare missions with attendees from multiple countries taking part. Code named “Pitch Black,” the exercise has over 40 military aircraft operating from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory with missions held over the Delamere Range Facility and Bradshaw Field Training Area.
For Exercise Pitch Black 2014, Southern Skies Online Media sent Grant up to Darwin to cover the event. Joining a group of four other aviation media specialists, Grant was taken on the tarmac at RAAF Base Darwin and also flown to RAAF Base Tindal by RAAF King Air transport. At both locations the small group was provided with unparalleled access to Australian, American, Singaporean, French and Thai aircraft, pilots & maintainers.
In addition to maintaining a constant stream of updates & photographs on the Plane Crazy Down Under Facebook page, Grant also recorded plenty of audio content for use in a future episode while also making & refreshing contacts within the armed forces. While it was certainly a busy (& hot :) ) time in Darwin, it was very productive.