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An F-35A Lightning II is among a host of RAAF aircraft deployed to the Northern Territory for Exercise Arnhem Thunder.
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The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed approximately 50 aircraft and more than 500 personnel to the Northern Territory as part of Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21 — one of the ADF’s largest domestic training exercises.
The exercise aims to provide force generation training, with a particular focus on high-end collective training, involving multiple Force Element Groups (FEGs).
Exercise Arnhem Thunder will be conducted from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal from 17 May to 15 June 2021, leveraging the Mount Bundey Training Area, and Delamere Air Weapons Range.
Deployed platforms include the:
- F-35A Lightning II;
- F/A-18F Super Hornet;
- EA-18G Growler;
- F/A-18A/B Hornet;
- Hawk 127;
- C-130J Hercules;
- C-17A Globemaster;
- C-27J Spartan;
- KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport; and
- E-7A Wedgetail.
This will mark the first time an F-35A Lightning II operates out of RAAF Base Darwin.
According to Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Tim Alsop, Arnhem Thunder would improve interoperability between Air Combat Group, Air Mobility Group, Surveillance and Response Group, and Combat Support Group in an offensive counter-air environment.
“Exposure to large-scale, multi-FEG scenarios in an away-base environment is of vital importance to the training outcomes of all elements across Air Force,” AIRCDRE Alsop said.
“Operating out of RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, Exercise Arnhem Thunder provides an excellent venue for cross-FEG interoperability, high-end air power missions, as well as airbase activation in an austere environment.”
Exercise Arnhem Thunder is expected to kick-off with force integration training and large force employment scenarios, before the activation of a forward operating base by a contingency response squadron and other combat support elements.
“Collective training for missions such as this must be routinely practiced so that Air Force is ready to respond to the defence of Australia when required,” AIRCDRE Alsop added.
“We are all very excited about being in the Top End to carry out our training and I thank the local community for their support.”
[Related: RAN joins allies in multi-domain exercise]
