Exercise Pitch Black ’90

The US Air Force provided the heavy bombing element of two Boeing B-52H Stratofortresses from the 92nd Bomb Wing (based at Fairchild AFB, Washington). These ‘Buffs’ were the comparatively rare ‘H’ models, apparently being missed by the local enthusiasts who are quite used to the presence of B-520s at Darwin. The B-52s were supported by a Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker (also from Fairchild AFB) and a McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender from 9th ARS (March AFB, California). No. 1 and No. 6 Squadrons provided their General Dynamics F-111C and RF-111C ‘Pigs’ in the bombing, maritime strike and recon roles. Light strike and escort duties were carried out by the McDon- nell Douglas F-18A Hornets of No. 77 Squadron, the Aermacchi MB-326Hs of No 76 Squadron and the Northrop F-5E and F-5F Tiger II Fighters form No 144 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force. The F-5s were supported, both in transit to the exercise and during operations, by a pair of RSAF Lockheed KC-1308 Hercules. Operating in support roles during the exercise were a Lockheed P-3C Orion, a De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou, and the Navy’s pair of Hawker Siddeley HS. 748 aircraft.

The final aircraft type involved in Pitch Black 90 was the perhaps unlikely Gates Learjet 35s of Fleet Support (see Traffic, August 1990). As was pointed out to your correspondent, the Learjets’ wing was derived from the mid 50s Swiss FFA P-16 fighter and, when operated at low level, nicely simulated a modern strike aircraft such as a fully loaded Grumman Intruder. Unfortunately tending to stand out against the tropical jungle background in their bright civilian colour schemes, the Learjets carried out strike sorties, both alone and in conjunction with the Macchis, and also diversionary attacks to draw the defending fighters at readiness into the air.

The mix of aircraft types provided all participating crews with a chance to exercise their skills against all types of air, ground and maritime targets including attacks upon the B-52s by No 76 Squadron’s Macchis (the results of which would no doubt make interesting reading). The F-111Cand Hornet crews also made the most of the visiting USAF tankers to practice their aerial refuelling techniques pending the delivery of our converted 707s.

Although not directly connected with the exercise, the arrival on Sunday 29th July of three Rockwell B-1B aircraft generated an enormous amount of interest, both military and civil, with many thousands of Darwinians packing both runway approaches to witness the spectacle. The aircraft arrived accompanied by two No 75 Squadron Homets with each aircraft conducting a touch and go landing followed by a steep climb into the circuit before landing. This was the first visit to Australia by B-1s (from 384th Bombardment Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas), the aircraft arriving via Guam supported by Boeing KC-135A Stratotankers and a McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender. The aircraft were put on public display for a couple of hours on the following Monday for an appreciative Darwin audience.

Unfortunately, on 2nd August, following the main part of the exercise, Wing Commander Ross Fox, Commanding Officer of No. 75 Squadron, was killed and his aircraft destroyed after a collision with his wingman. The second aircraft (which ironically was Ross Fox’s personalised aircraft) returned safely to Tindal despite considerable wing damage. I would like to extend my condolences to Wg Cdr Fox’s family and to No. 75 Squadron.