Philippines Air Force touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24

A flag-waving herd of military personnel and a media scrum awaited the fighter pilots as they hit the tarmac on Wednesday. Read why the Filipinos arrivals is a “very important milestone”.

LTC Michael G Rabina PAF, Air Commodore Pete Robinson and COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

History has been made after a team of Filipino fighter pilots touched down in the Top End this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, four FA-50PH combat jets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) hit the tarmac of RAAF Base Darwin, only to be swamped by a massive reception of a media scrum and military personnel, eager to congratulate the latest foreigners to join Exercise Pitch Black 24.

The arrival of the Filipino aircraft marks the first time in the island nation’s history that their combat aircraft departed Filipino airspace to conduct training abroad.

LTC Michael G Rabina PAF and COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The significance of the occasion was not lost on contingent commander Colonel Randy Pascua, who declared the landing as a “very important milestone”.

“The main reason of why we’re here right now is it’s all about enhancing our operational readiness and capabilities.”

It had been speculated that the PAF had joined Exercise Pitch Black 24 due to the Philippines being locked in a confrontation with China over the disputed South China Sea.

Asked if there were “specific threats” which prompted the PAF’s to join Exercise Pitch Black 24, Colonel Pascua said it was not on the minds of the Filipino pilots.

“(Specific threats) is not on our agenda right now.”

LTC Michael G Rabina PAF, Air Commodore Pete Robinson and COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Commodore Peter Robinson said he was excited to have 20 foreign nations join forces in the Territory.

“We welcome all of those nations, but one of the ones we’re most excited (for) is to invite the Philippines for their first time to Exercise Pitch Black.”

Air Commodore Pete Robinson welcomes LTC Michael G Rabina PAF and COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Air Commodore Robinson said the exercise was a “fabulous opportunity” to exchange learning among fighter pilots and be “stronger” than before but the aviators on the ground would also benefit in the weeks to come.

“So while we talked about some of the similar air combat tactics, offensive counter air, defensive counter air, there will be an opportunity for our maintenance teams to operate in different places, and they get as much interaction as the aircrew do.”

Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) and LTC Michael G Rabina PAF gets off their fighter jets as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

COL Randy M Pascua PAF (GSC) and LTC Michael G Rabina PAF as Filipino fighter pilots touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Originally published as Philippines Air Force touch down in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 24