Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Real change of pace because the Air Forces buy and
your flying activities are set to take place in the
top end in July. A range of community events are
planned in the leading to Exercise Pitch Black. We know
that Pitch Black twenty four is said to be the
largest in the exercises forty three year history. And joining
us right now to tell us a little bit more
(00:20):
it is Air Force Head of Air Shows, Air Commander
Mecca Gray. Good morning to you, Mecca.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good morning Katie, thanks for having on your program.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, lovely to have you on the show now. First off,
and I want to get to the to the what's
happening in the lead in, but just remind our listeners
what Exercise Pitch black is all about.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yeah, XOS. Pitch Black's been running for over forty years.
It's the Air Force's major multinational air defense and air
training exercise and we do it out of the Northern
Territory because it's just great flying airspace and it's a
great location to live and work and operate from here.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
What does make our airspace so good for flying, well,
the airspace that we have to operate in is about
the size of the UK.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
The countries from all around the world and in fact,
and they are from all around the world in this excise.
You know, they don't have those huge training areas, so
we have you know, hundreds of aircraft airborn on each mission,
you know, defending and attacking. So it's really good and
it's essential training. That's what everyone needs to do.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
It is such an interesting time, you know when exercise
pitch bike gets underway and some of the different aircraft
that you see in the sky, like it's I don't
think that. I guess we're here in the Northern Territory.
We maybe become a bit laxed about this because it
happens quite often, but you really wouldn't see this in
many other parts of the world, would you.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
No, that's right, and we you know, Australia puts a
lot of effort into this because we invite you know,
we have over twenty one nations bringing aircraft and there's
are another range of countries you know bring men in
equipment or people and equipment and you know, so it's
that whole interaction with allies and partners. It's really important
learning how each other operate. The range of equipments phenomenal
(01:53):
we have, you know, ever a dozen fighter type aircraft,
airy fueling tankers, special purpose aircraft, the surveillance planes, the
airborne warning control aircraft, utility aircraft. So it's really impressive.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
It truly is. Now, Mikar, I understand a number of
community events have also been planned. One is happening at
Mindle Beach. I think that's July.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Ten on sind By July eighteenth.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
July eighteen. My apology, sorry, tell us a little bit
more about what's expected.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, because this is really the community engagement activities we do,
just think the ongoing support that we get from the territory.
So Mindle Beach at the market's the standard thursdayne markets.
We do a flying display, so an hour and a
half of over twenty aircraft basically a mini air show
from five o'clock till six thirty in the evening on
that's the Thursday eighteenth of.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
July market, So Thursday the eighteenth of July. Now you've
done something similar to this in the past as well,
haven't you.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yes, we did it in twenty twenty two. Last one
we did it in twentieth that was the COVID years.
But each year we've done that and it's actually grown
from just a fly pass a couple of aircraft going
past the beach to a very coordinated demonstration of all
the international players, so all the countries a participating flying
in that.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
I remember the last time it happened there was a
bit of a traffic jam. Everyone was trying to get
to Mindle Beach to watch it. And that's I mean,
that's the really interesting part about this is it has
become something that people want to get to Mindle Beach
to see. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Well, the market's a very huge part of the community
up there, I think, and for all international businesses and
everyone else, So to have a mini airshow at the
same time it's great. So all the vendors and all
the people get there. You know, it's two events in one.
That's the standard markets and the flying is played.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
That's right. And will this year's be sort of bigger
and better than ever.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, it's a little bit bigger than last time for
an hour and a half. Flying will start at five,
so for people that can get down there early Mindal
Beach and all the way up to around the cliffs,
it'll be a great location to see that. And then
the second community event we do is on the Saturday
two days later on Saturday, the twentieth of July, the
Air Force Base, the RAF dauw And Air Force Bace.
That's an open day from nine till four where all
(03:48):
those aircraft that were flying, plus others and a whole
range of ground equipment will be on display on the ground.
So free community event parking will be at the showground.
We'll shuttle bus people in and out and it'll be
you know, incredible event. We've got a arrange of activities.
We've got Collex stamp passports for the kids, go visit
all the store. So all those international countries will have
stall set up in front of their aircraft and other equipment.
(04:10):
And the best thing about it is, you know, we
all like talking to a community in the public because
we often get that opportunity. The international military people here
absolutely love it because there's every person for the territory
and from around Australia come just for this.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
How cool? And yeah do you see a lot of
people travel from other parts of Australia just for that,
do you? Yeah? We do.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Yeah. We've had people contact us since the last one
saying what's the next day we plan our territory road
trip holiday to coincide with.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Yeah, that's really good. That's good to hear. It has
become such a huge part of the community as well
with exercise Pitch Blake and I know that people sort
of see the aircraft flying over when the actual exercise
is underway, but those community events, how important are they
really to make sure that everyday territorians and visitors are
part of this exercise and something that's so unique to
(04:55):
the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, that's really important, Katie, because you know there is
as a very posit to impact on the community and
business and other things, but there's also a huge noise
impact and we're or aware of that. Not everyone enjoys the
aircraft noise fact on kids and families, but it's essential
training have to do so as a way of giving
back as letting people know what we do so they
can see it, they can come and talk to people,
see the aircraft and then it makes sense and they
realize the size and scale and how important Australia is
(05:19):
to host a multinational exercise.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Well, Mekka, it's going to be wonderful. Remind us again
of those dates at Mindle Beach and then also the
open day.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, so Mindle Beach Markets. They're flying display on Thursday
nights the five pm to six thirty and then two
days later at the Air Force Base on Saturday, the
twentieth of July nine till four parking at the showground.
One more on the open day. We will be ticketing
it this year. There will be free tickets, but we
need people to register so we can cater for the
numbers for traffic, transport amenities etc. More information on the
(05:46):
tickets for mid June four for the event.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Well, I reckon we'll catch up with you again before
the event, because we do want to make sure that
everybody knows exactly you know, what's involved. It's such a
great way of getting the community involved and something that
I know people really enjoy going along too. So Micka Gray,
I really appreciate your time this morning. Air Force Head
of Air Shows air Commodore lovely to speak to you
this morning.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Thanks Katie, and thanks again for the territories for hosting
defense up here and looking after it so well.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Good stuff. Thank you,
Real change of pace because the Air Forces buy and
your flying activities are set to take place in the
top end in July. A range of community events are
planned in the leading to Exercise Pitch Black. We know
that Pitch Black twenty four is said to be the
largest in the exercises forty three year history. And joining
us right now to tell us a little bit more
(00:20):
it is Air Force Head of Air Shows, Air Commander
Mecca Gray. Good morning to you, Mecca.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good morning Katie, thanks for having on your program.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, lovely to have you on the show now. First off,
and I want to get to the to the what's
happening in the lead in, but just remind our listeners
what Exercise Pitch black is all about.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yeah, XOS. Pitch Black's been running for over forty years.
It's the Air Force's major multinational air defense and air
training exercise and we do it out of the Northern
Territory because it's just great flying airspace and it's a
great location to live and work and operate from here.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
What does make our airspace so good for flying, well,
the airspace that we have to operate in is about
the size of the UK.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
The countries from all around the world and in fact,
and they are from all around the world in this excise.
You know, they don't have those huge training areas, so
we have you know, hundreds of aircraft airborn on each mission,
you know, defending and attacking. So it's really good and
it's essential training. That's what everyone needs to do.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
It is such an interesting time, you know when exercise
pitch bike gets underway and some of the different aircraft
that you see in the sky, like it's I don't
think that. I guess we're here in the Northern Territory.
We maybe become a bit laxed about this because it
happens quite often, but you really wouldn't see this in
many other parts of the world, would you.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
No, that's right, and we you know, Australia puts a
lot of effort into this because we invite you know,
we have over twenty one nations bringing aircraft and there's
are another range of countries you know bring men in
equipment or people and equipment and you know, so it's
that whole interaction with allies and partners. It's really important
learning how each other operate. The range of equipments phenomenal
(01:53):
we have, you know, ever a dozen fighter type aircraft,
airy fueling tankers, special purpose aircraft, the surveillance planes, the
airborne warning control aircraft, utility aircraft. So it's really impressive.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
It truly is. Now, Mikar, I understand a number of
community events have also been planned. One is happening at
Mindle Beach. I think that's July.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Ten on sind By July eighteenth.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
July eighteen. My apology, sorry, tell us a little bit
more about what's expected.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, because this is really the community engagement activities we do,
just think the ongoing support that we get from the territory.
So Mindle Beach at the market's the standard thursdayne markets.
We do a flying display, so an hour and a
half of over twenty aircraft basically a mini air show
from five o'clock till six thirty in the evening on
that's the Thursday eighteenth of.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
July market, So Thursday the eighteenth of July. Now you've
done something similar to this in the past as well,
haven't you.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yes, we did it in twenty twenty two. Last one
we did it in twentieth that was the COVID years.
But each year we've done that and it's actually grown
from just a fly pass a couple of aircraft going
past the beach to a very coordinated demonstration of all
the international players, so all the countries a participating flying
in that.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
I remember the last time it happened there was a
bit of a traffic jam. Everyone was trying to get
to Mindle Beach to watch it. And that's I mean,
that's the really interesting part about this is it has
become something that people want to get to Mindle Beach
to see. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Well, the market's a very huge part of the community
up there, I think, and for all international businesses and
everyone else, So to have a mini airshow at the
same time it's great. So all the vendors and all
the people get there. You know, it's two events in one.
That's the standard markets and the flying is played.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
That's right. And will this year's be sort of bigger
and better than ever.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, it's a little bit bigger than last time for
an hour and a half. Flying will start at five,
so for people that can get down there early Mindal
Beach and all the way up to around the cliffs,
it'll be a great location to see that. And then
the second community event we do is on the Saturday
two days later on Saturday, the twentieth of July, the
Air Force Base, the RAF dauw And Air Force Bace.
That's an open day from nine till four where all
(03:48):
those aircraft that were flying, plus others and a whole
range of ground equipment will be on display on the ground.
So free community event parking will be at the showground.
We'll shuttle bus people in and out and it'll be
you know, incredible event. We've got a arrange of activities.
We've got Collex stamp passports for the kids, go visit
all the store. So all those international countries will have
stall set up in front of their aircraft and other equipment.
(04:10):
And the best thing about it is, you know, we
all like talking to a community in the public because
we often get that opportunity. The international military people here
absolutely love it because there's every person for the territory
and from around Australia come just for this.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
How cool? And yeah do you see a lot of
people travel from other parts of Australia just for that,
do you? Yeah? We do.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Yeah. We've had people contact us since the last one
saying what's the next day we plan our territory road
trip holiday to coincide with.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Yeah, that's really good. That's good to hear. It has
become such a huge part of the community as well
with exercise Pitch Blake and I know that people sort
of see the aircraft flying over when the actual exercise
is underway, but those community events, how important are they
really to make sure that everyday territorians and visitors are
part of this exercise and something that's so unique to
(04:55):
the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, that's really important, Katie, because you know there is
as a very posit to impact on the community and
business and other things, but there's also a huge noise
impact and we're or aware of that. Not everyone enjoys the
aircraft noise fact on kids and families, but it's essential
training have to do so as a way of giving
back as letting people know what we do so they
can see it, they can come and talk to people,
see the aircraft and then it makes sense and they
realize the size and scale and how important Australia is
(05:19):
to host a multinational exercise.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Well, Mekka, it's going to be wonderful. Remind us again
of those dates at Mindle Beach and then also the
open day.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, so Mindle Beach Markets. They're flying display on Thursday
nights the five pm to six thirty and then two
days later at the Air Force Base on Saturday, the
twentieth of July nine till four parking at the showground.
One more on the open day. We will be ticketing
it this year. There will be free tickets, but we
need people to register so we can cater for the
numbers for traffic, transport amenities etc. More information on the
(05:46):
tickets for mid June four for the event.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Well, I reckon we'll catch up with you again before
the event, because we do want to make sure that
everybody knows exactly you know, what's involved. It's such a
great way of getting the community involved and something that
I know people really enjoy going along too. So Micka Gray,
I really appreciate your time this morning. Air Force Head
of Air Shows air Commodore lovely to speak to you
this morning.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Thanks Katie, and thanks again for the territories for hosting
defense up here and looking after it so well.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Good stuff. Thank you,
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