Pitch Black 18 Missions Part of Continuous Bomber Presence Programme

B-52H STRATOFORTRESS bombers from the US Air Force’s 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) based on Guam have recently flown training missions to Australia as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2018.

A biennial exercise designed to enhance flight operations and proficiency between participating nations, Pitch Black 18 has provided an opportunity for US bombers to integrate with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to maintain proficiency between the two nations. These routine training missions were in support of US Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence Programme.

“This training is crucial to our allies’ interoperability and stability within the Indo-Pacific theatre. This realistic training gives our crews the unique opportunity to improve their tactics, techniques, and procedures in one of the largest training airspaces in the world,” observed 96th EBS Mission Planner Maj. Jonathan Radtke.