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The RAAF has wrapped up joint exercises with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in Thailand.
Exercise Thai Boomerang 25, which ran from 8 to 18 September, concluded for the year with a closing ceremony at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. Around 140 RAAF personnel were among the more than 500 participants in the bilateral activity, now in its 15th iteration.
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The RAAF sent six F/A-18F Super Hornets and personnel from RAAF Base Amberley’s 1 Squadron and staff from RAAF Base Williamtown’s 4 Squadron, while the RTAF contributed five F-16 OCUs, five F-16 MLUs, and five JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
“The experience from exercises like Thai Boomerang 25 greatly enhances our ability to integrate and operate with Australia’s partners across the region. This directly contributes to the RAAF’s capacity to undertake operations when and where required,” said Detachment Commander Exercise Thai Boomerang 25 Wing Commander Trent Baldry.
“Interoperability with our partners, like the Royal Thai Air Force, is critical to ensuring the security and prosperity of Australia and our region.”
Activities included dissimilar air combat training and large force employment, with simulated close air support also performed for the first time. Australian Defence Attaché to Thailand Group Captain Ritchie Cunningham thanked the RTAF for hosting RAAF personnel at Nakhon Ratchasima.
“The Royal Thai Air Force’s professionalism and warm hospitality have made this a highly successful exercise and further strengthened the bonds between our air forces,” he said.
The RAAF has 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets used in conjunction with F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Larger than the ‘Classic’ Hornet predecessor, the Super Hornet offered enhanced capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions after 24 aircraft were delivered to the ADF in late 2011.
Super Hornets originally entered operational service with the US Navy in 2001 to replace F-14 Tomcats. The ageing aircraft, used across combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, are planned to be replaced by F/A-XX aircraft for the US Navy in the 2030s.
The multi-role fighters have been used extensively for air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops and interception of enemy supply lines, including shipping.
