The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has concluded its third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC), following a six-month long series of exercises throughout Australia.
AWIC22 integrated warfighting functions across a range of specialisations to develop expert air warfare instructors who will represent the next generation of tactical and integrated warfare experts in air combat.
Commander Air Warfare Centre, Air Commodore Ross Bender, said the course encompassed a range of academic activities and practical exercises that exposed the candidates to complex scenarios, focused on broadening and improving their skills.
“We introduced the AWIC candidates to complex war-like scenarios designed to integrate people, systems and combat effects across the five warfare domains: air, land, maritime, space and cyber,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“AWIC is designed to ready the warfighter, producing air warfare instructors who are both knowledgeable in their expertise and approachable to our wider workforce.
“Exercises such as these rely on the support of the community. The Northern Territory community’s ongoing support for our training efforts ensures we are a capable force, ready to protect Australia and its interests.”
AWIC22 encompassed three integration exercises – Exercise Diamond Seas, Exercise Diamond Shield and Exercise Diamond Storm.
The Diamond Series of exercises aimed to enhance and promote Air Force’s interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and international partners.
“Diamond Seas and Diamond Shield brought together Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Air Force elements in complex maritime and defensive counter air-focused scenarios, providing training opportunities to practise and consolidate integrated tactics,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“As the culmination activity, Diamond Storm provided our candidates with the opportunity to apply their skills in high-end warfighting scenarios alongside international partners.”
AWIC22 activities were conducted from RAAF Bases Amberley, Darwin, Edinburgh, East Sale, Pearce, Tindal, Williamtown and Shoalwater Bay Training Area throughout the first half of 2022.
RAAF and international aircraft will return to the Northern Territory from mid-August for Exercise Pitch Black 22.
Some images from Exercise Diamond Storm 2022 taken by ADM Editor Nigel Pittaway.
