This week marks the start of the Large Force Employment phase of Exercise Pitch Black which involves afternoon and night flying across the Northern Territory.
The phase gives pilots the opportunity to practise in a complex environment, with a significant number of aircraft in the airspace, all safely coordinating to achieve a common goal.
Aircrew from 17 nations hone their flying skills in all conditions, including the added complexity that comes with night flying across Northern Territory skies.
The training activity is set to involve tactical execution of counter air, air interdiction and strike missions.
A Defence spokesman said activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognised Australia's 'strong relationships and the high value we place on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region'.
"Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world.
"Pitch Black aims to further develop offensive counter air, air interdiction and strike, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, as well as foster international co-operation with partner forces."
Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Forces largest and most complex exercise.
Pitch Black 2022 is being conducted at RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley until September 8.
This years exercise hosts up to 2500 personnel and around 100 aircraft from 17 participating nations from around the globe, including - for the first time - the German Luftwaffe.