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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PAF sends over 200 personnel, FA-50s to Australia's 'Pitch Black'

PAF sends over 200 personnel, FA-50s to Australia's 'Pitch Black'

Published Jul 14, 2026 04:17 pm

At A Glance

  • More than 200 Philippine Air Force personnel, backed by FA-50 fighter jets and a C-130 transport aircraft, are taking part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia from July 17 to Aug. 7 alongside air forces from 21 partner nations.
  • The first batch of 98 PAF personnel arrived in Darwin on July 10. The PAF is returning after its successful debut in Pitch Black 2024.
  • The exercise will focus on multinational air combat training, including counter-air operations, to enhance the PAF's operational readiness, interoperability with allied air forces, and regional defense cooperation.
Members of the first batch of the Philippine Air Force contingent arrive at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin on July 10, 2026 ahead of Exercise Pitch Black 2026. More than 200 PAF personnel, supported by FA-50 fighter aircraft and a C-130 transport plane, will take part in the multinational air combat exercise from July 17 to Aug. 7, 2026 with air forces from 21 partner nations. (Photo: PAF)
Members of the first batch of the Philippine Air Force contingent arrive at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin on July 10, 2026 ahead of Exercise Pitch Black 2026. More than 200 PAF personnel, supported by FA-50 fighter aircraft and a C-130 transport plane, will take part in the multinational air combat exercise from July 17 to Aug. 7, 2026 with air forces from 21 partner nations. (Photo: PAF)
More than 200 Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel will take part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia as the military steps up its participation in multinational air combat training with allied and partner nations.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the contingent will deploy with two elements of the FA-50 light fighter aircraft and a C-130 transport plane for the Royal Australian Air Force's premier biennial exercise.
“We have more than 200,” Basco said when asked about the size of the PAF contingent.
She added that the deployment will include “two elements of FA-50 and the C-130.”
The first batch of the PAF contingent has arrived in Darwin, Australia ahead of the start of Exercise Pitch Black 2026.
The PAF said 98 personnel arrived on July 10 aboard a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30 aircraft as part of the Philippine contingent participating in the multinational air combat exercise.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will run from July 17 to Aug. 7 in Northern Australia, gathering air forces from 21 partner nations for complex air combat training designed to improve interoperability, operational readiness and defense cooperation.
The PAF is returning to the exercise after earning recognition as the "Rockstars of Pitch Black 2024," after its debut in the exercise two years ago.
Basco declined to discuss the specific training scenarios that the Philippine contingent will undertake.
“I could not discuss the specifics regarding that but for sure there would be counter-air because all of the activities there are part of a multinational air combat exercise,” she said.
The PAF said the exercise will expose Filipino pilots and personnel to integrated multinational operations alongside more advanced air forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Basco added that the contingent also includes air battle managers who will play a key role during the exercise.
“We would be learning as it goes. We also have deployed air battle managers with our contingent who would be overseeing the parts of the exercises that we would be participating in,” she noted.
Before the deployment, PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura led a talk to troops and send-off ceremony on July 6 at Clark Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
During the ceremony, Cordura reminded participating personnel to uphold professionalism, discipline and mission readiness as they represent the Philippines in one of the Indo-Pacific region's largest multinational air combat exercises.
The PAF said its participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 supports its effort to build a credible, agile and multi-domain air force, and to strengthen interoperability with allied and partner air forces while contributing to regional security, stability and a rules-based international order.

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