Stealth fighters assemble for multinational combat training in Australia

American, Australian and Japanese F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters are training together over northern Australia as part of Pitch Black, a multinational air combat exercise involving 2,500 personnel, more than 100 aircraft and 21 allied and partner nations.

The biennial exercise began Monday and runs through Aug. 7 at Australian air force bases in Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory and Amberley in Queensland.

The Australian air force describes Pitch Black as its largest international exercise, featuring “complex, combat-like scenarios across one of the largest military training areas in the world.”

Australia is strongest when it works with other nations, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told those gathered in Darwin to open the drills.

“Pitch Black strengthens those partnerships and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to working closely across our region to support peace, stability and security,” he said, according to a Monday news release from his government.

The training underscores Australia’s commitment to maintaining a ready and capable air force, Australian Air Commodore Matthew McCormack, Pitch Black’s commander, said Friday in an Australian Defence Department news release.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Pitch Black exercise's opening at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Monday, July 20, 2026. (Nell Bradbury/Australian air force)

“The main purpose of Exercise Pitch Black is to expose our aviators, and our international partners, to complex air combat scenarios,” he said. “At its core, Pitch Black is a war fighter-focused exercise and participants will conduct large-force employment missions that integrate fighter aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, air mobility assets and command-and-control elements in scenarios that replicate the demands of contemporary military operations.”

Pacific Air Forces said its F-35As joined the drills after participating in the inaugural Southern Cross exercise, held July 6-17 elsewhere in Australia alongside Australian air force Lighting IIs.

PACAF, based in Hawaii, did not offer details on the number of U.S. airmen or aircraft participating or which units were deployed.

U.S. F-35As are operating from Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindall, while Japan’s F-35As are flying from RAAF Base Darwin, according to the Australian Defense Department. Australian F-35As are based at both locations.

Pitch Black also features F-16 Fighting Falcons, F/A-18F Super Hornets, Eurofighter Typhoons and a range of tanker, transport, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from participating nations.

PACAF said it also deployed KC-135 Stratotankers and a C-130J Super Hercules.

“Pitch Black is one of the largest and most complex air combat exercises in the world, reinforcing that US alliances are our decisive advantage,” the command said in a statement emailed Friday.

The exercise is intended to strengthen readiness and improve the participants’ ability to operate together in high-end combat scenarios, PACAF said.