Exercise Pitch Black is about to start…and there’s two very exciting events celebrating this exercise coming up!

Have any of you guys heard the distinctive rumble in the skies over Darwin?  It’s the rumble of speed and it’s coming from the fast fighter jets that are playing their part in Exercise Pitch Black 2016.  Quite a few of the team here at Ray White Bayside have noticed these exciting aircraft flying overhead whilst out and about, and it can quite literally stop you in your tracks, particularly if you happen to be around close to take off – most impressive!

These aircraft are here to play a part in Pitch Black – a huge multi-national defence exercise conducted out of RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal from 29 July through to 19 August.

Around 2,500 military personnel and 115 aircraft will call Darwin home during the exercise, with personnel and aircraft coming from Australia, Canada, France (New Caledonia), Indonesia, Germany, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States. It’s a huge contingent!

Aircraft will take off from both Darwin and Tindal, flying to the airspace over Bradshaw Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range and practicing their moves.  That said though, even though the excitement is happening quite a fair distance from our tropical city, the public can learn more about the exercise and even see a fighter jet in action!  Here’s what is planned:

• Pitch Black Flypast & Handling Display over Mindil Beach, Thursday 11^th August from 5.00pm-6pm: Be sure to get down to Mindil Beach Reserve for this exciting, free aerial display as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2016.  See a fast jet in action and don’t forget the ear muffs for the little ones!
• Pitch Black Open Day, RAAF Darwin, Saturday 13^th August from 9am-4pm: Access off the Stuart Highway, Gate S which is near Hickman Street.  This free event is for people of all ages and it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with a range of military aircraft and vehicles from Australia and other nations.  Meet the crews and get a great insight into what life is like in the military and by participating in such a huge exercise.  There are no ATM facilities on site, and glass bottles are not permitted.  A smoking and alcohol-free event, no animals are allowed on site, unless they are registered assistance dogs.

For more information on these great events, be sure to visit http://www.offtheleash.net.au/events/view/pitch-black-open-day and http://www.offtheleash.net.au/events/view/flypast-handling-display.