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4 August 2018
One of the highlight participants in the Pitch Black 2018 exercise was the Indian Air Force. They brought four Sukhoi Su-30MKI-3 Flankers from 102 Squadron Trisonics to Darwin. All four aircraft were parked on the static. (all photos Jurgen van Toor)
| Static | |||
| 130339 | CC-130H (KC-130H) | 435sq | |
| 346/4-FM | Rafale B | ETR03.004 |
| 066/52-ID | CN235M-200 | ET00.052 |
| SB048 | Su-30MKI-3 | Indian AF 102sq |
| SB184 | Su-30MKI-3 | Indian AF 102sq |
| SB307 | Su-30MKI-3 | Indian AF 102sq |
| SB323 | Su-30MKI-3 | Indian AF 102sq |
| TS-1633 | F-16C-52ID | Indonesian AF SkU3 | FMS 84-1283 |
| M45-01 | F/A-18D-50 | RMAF 18Skn | special mks |
| M54-04 | A400M | RMAF 22Skn |
| 8310 | F-15SG | RSAF 142sq |
| 8302 | F-15SG | RSAF 149sq |
| 8312 | F-15SG | RSAF 149sq |
| 8317 | F-15SG | RSAF 149sq |
| 8327 | F-15SG | RSAF 149sq |
| 611 | F-16C-52-CF | RSAF 140sq |
| 691 | F-16D-52-CF | RSAF 140sq |
| 696 | F-16D-52-CF | RSAF 140sq |
| 632 | F-16D-52-CF | RSAF 143sq |
| 642 | F-16C-52-CF | RSAF 143sq |
| 753 | KC-135R | RSAF 112sq |
| (Kh20-7/56)/70107 | JAS39C | RTAF 701sq |
| 89-2121/WP | F-16CM-40-CF | 80th FS/8th FW | 80FS' special mks |
| 167983/QD-983 | KC-130J | VMGR-152 |
| 164653/DT-00 | F/A-18D | VMFA(AW)-242 | special mks |
| 168022/YQ-11 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| A21-54 | F/A-18A | 75sq | 3sq mks |
| A44-210 | F/A-18F | 1sq | BuNo 167966, special mks |
| A46-304 | EA-18G | 6sq | BuNo 169151 |
| A23-022 | PC-9/A | 4sq |
| A30-001 | E-7A | 2sq | special mks |
| A32-439 | Beech 350 | 38sq |
| A34-010 | C-27J | 35sq |
| A41-213 | C-17A | 36sq |
| A38-015 | Tiger ARH | 1st AVN |
| VH-ZZN | DHC-8-315MPA | Australian Border Guard |
| A17-640 | DH82A Tiger Moth | civil, ex Australia | VH-NMD |
| NZ1090 | AT-6D-NT Texan | civil, ex New Zealand | VH-VFM |
|
The Indonesian Air Force brought eight F-16 Fighting Falcons operated by two different squadrons to the exercise. One was shown on static display. |
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is a frequent visitor to downunder. For Pitch Black 2018 they brought eleven fighter aircraft, plus one G550 Nachshon Eitam and a KC-135R. Five F-16s were noted on the static. |
| Elsewhere | |||
| 168322/YQ-00 | MV-22B | VMM-268 | special mks |
| 168345/YQ-01 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| 168307/YQ-02 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| 168294/YQ-04 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| 168290/YQ-05 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| 168285/YQ-07 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
| 168608/YQ-09 | MV-22B | VMM-268 |
Credits: Jurgen van Toor and Hans van Herk
During the Pitch Black exercise, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) organises an Open Day giving opportunities for the local residents to witness the (fighter) aircraft that are roaring the skies during the three week period of this exercise.
The day before the Open Day is a non-flying day for the exercise and the Open Day only has a static display. Other participating aircraft in the exercise can be seen from the static area.
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