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Australian and Malaysian jet fighters have concluded training together in the skies over Malaysia during Exercise Elangaroo 24.
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Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs flew air combat training missions with Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornets and Su-30MKM Flankers during the training exercise from 30 September to 4 October.
On the ground, aircrew and maintenance personnel conducted training and engagement activities designed to improve how the two air forces work together.
Wing Commander Paul Simmons, Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron, said six F-35As and approximately 140 RAAF aviators deployed for the exercise.
“Malaysia is one of our most important regional partners, and Exercise Elangaroo ensures we’re ready to contribute with our partners to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific,” WGCDR Simmons said.
“Air combat training allows us to integrate people and systems from respective air forces, learn each other’s strengths, and understand how to fight together.
“Malaysian and Australian aviators have trained together for generations, and Exercise Elangaroo 24 built on our long-standing Defence relationship.”
RAAF fighter squadrons have a long history of training and operations in Malaysia, with No. 77 Squadron based there from 1958 to 1969.
Exercise Elangaroo 24 involved RAAF aviators working from RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore.
The RAAF F-35As are deployed to Singapore to support a string of exercises in the region over September and October.
“Exercise Elangaroo 24 allowed our aviators to practice agile combat employment missions to RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia, where F-35As would land mid-mission to refuel,” WGCDR Simmons said.
“Agile combat employment provides greater flexibility in how we employ F-35As on operations, increasing their survivability and resilience against threats.
“This is more complex training than we previously conducted in 2022, when we debuted the F-35A in Malaysia for Exercise Elangaroo 22.”
