The skies over the Northern Territory echoed to the sound of Japanese fighter aircraft for the first time since the Second World War in August and September, with the participation of 3 Squadron Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) in Exercise Pitch Black.
Normally based at Hyakuri Air Base, 100km north east of Tokyo, 3 Sqn deployed five Mitsubishi F-2A fighter jets and around 100 personnel to Darwin in a show of solidarity with regional partners and allies. Painted in the JASDF’s distinctive blue ‘maritime’ camouflage scheme, the F-2As proudly wear the emblem of a Samurai warrior on their fins.
Although JASDF fighter aircraft regularly deploy to Guam and Alaska to exercise with US forces in the Pacific – and RAAF combat aircraft have deployed to Japan for the Bushido Guardian series of exercises – this is the first time they have participated in a Pitch Black exercise. In order to broaden the experience of the JASDF, 3 Sqn personnel were augmented by personnel from other F-2A squadrons in Japan.
“This is the first time the JASDF has participated in this exercise ever, and that means of course it is the first time we have deployed to Australia,” explained JASDF Detachment Commander Colonel Tadano. “This exercise is very significant for us to improve our tactical skills, to improve interoperability between Australia and Japan, and also enhance our mutual understanding with the air forces of other nations. This exercise will uphold and reinforce the initiative of a free and open Indo Pacific.”
To prepare for their deployment to Darwin, an RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft visited Japan to certify the F-2As for air-to-air refuelling and COL Tadano said the JASDF contingent routinely refuelled from Australian tankers during the exercise.
COL Tadano said that while the JASDF has participated in similar air combat exercises, the scale of the multi-lateral Pitch Black exercise was a new experience for the F-2A pilots.
“This is first time we have participated in a large force exercise at night,” he said. “The big thing we can get from the exercise is battle management, because it's very rare for us. There are not many opportunities to have such a large forces exercise in Japan. So, managing the fighting with more than 30 or 40 aircraft is very unusual for us and it’s a very good opportunity. We can also train with various aircraft that we haven't had before, such as India (with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI) and France (Dassault Rafale).”
Colonel Tadano also noted the significance of fighter aircraft from the four Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) nations, Australia, India, Japan and the US, exercising together for the first time.
“This exercise will help improve and enhance the initiative about freedom and an open Indo-Pacific and the Quad countries to communicate together and cooperate together,” COL Tadano said. “It’s very important for the security environment in the Indo Pacific.”