Login
iscover
The second of three high-intensity air warfare training courses has concluded, aimed at enhancing multi-domain interoperability.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed Exercise Diamond Shield – the first of two exercises in the 2022 Diamond Series.
Approximately 80 aircraft took part, including Super Hornets, Growlers and E-7s, as well as a US Air Force squadron of F-16s flying in from Alaska to act as hostile parties.
The three-week exercise forms part of the third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC), which aims to provide commanders with experience leveraging the combat potential of integrated air, space and cyber capabilities to support the joint force.
Exercise director Group Captain Matthew Harper said the Diamond Series of exercises would enhance Air Force’s interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and international partners.
“AWIC22 encompasses a range of academic activities and practical exercises that expose the candidates to complex scenarios,” GPCAPT Harper said.
“Exercise Diamond Shield established high-end warfighting scenarios which challenged AWIC candidates to maintain control of the air whilst integrating with multiple Air Force platforms and ground elements.
“The presence of the United States Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon challenged our candidates to overcome an adversary with unfamiliar capabilities.”
Exercise Diamond Shield followed Exercise Diamond Seas, which concluded in March.
The first of the three exercises involved training over land and sea along the Eastern Australian Exercise Area, providing AWIC candidates with air-maritime integration training and defensive counter air training.
Exercise Diamond Storm is the final exercise in the series, set to be conducted in the Northern Territory during May and June.
As part of Diamond Storm, AWIC candidates will be expected to apply the lessons from Exercises Diamond Seas and Shield to complete the mission.
[Related: RAAF helps secure USAF B-2 bomber during visit to Australia]
