"Just a nice Picture...!"

On 2 August 2024, Pitch Black, a biennial multinational inter-force exercise, concluded in Australia. This year marked the first time Italy participated by sending its aircraft carrier and flagship, the ITS Cavour (C 550), and its carrier strike group, which were engaged in a global deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

In addition to the four Lockheed Martin F-35A and eight Marina Militare (MMI, Italian Navy) and Aeronautica Militare (ItAF, Italian Air Force) B-version, the Italian Air Force brought the Eurofighter F-2000A, the Boeing KC-767A refueller and Gulfstream E-550 CAEW, contributing to the largest number of fifth-generation, airborne early warning and control aircraft and air-to-air refuelling tankers in a Pitch Black exercise.

Next to the above mentioned aircraft, the Italian Navy also partipated with the AV-8B and TAV-8B Harrier II, plus a number of SH-90A and MH-90A helicopters.

On 23 August 2024, on the way back home, the ITS Cavour with a full flight deck was noted in the port of Yokosuka (Japan).

Scramble Magazine is currently working on an article about the Pitch Black exercise.

Credit photo: Michel Nelis