Airforce
MULTINATIONAL EXERCISE

Pacific Skies 24 – one deployment, five exercises

After Rapid Pacific two years ago, the German Air Force is back in the Indo-Pacific region to conduct exercises with its partners – this time together with other European air forces and with the German Navy. The exercises will see the participants practice low-level flights, air attacks, air defense, and air refueling.

Pacific Skies 24

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Pacific Skies 24 is a combination of several air force exercises, in which the German, the French and the Spanish air forces take part as European nations. There are five parts to the exercise taking part at five different places worldwide. The German Tornado jets will start to join a low-level flying exercise in Alaska. This will be the last showing of the German Tornado fleet on an international stage. Thereafter the Tornados will be joined by eight German and four Spanish Eurofighter plus four French Rafale jets, four German light helicopters, four German, two Spanish and three French A400M transport and refueling aircraft as well as seven A330 MRTTMulti Role Tanker Transport. They will take part together with the USUnited States in the multinational exercise “Arctic Defender”. This exercise will be led by Germany and serves to train NATO standards.

After that the European partners deploy to Japan, where the German Eurofighter fleet will split up: After refueling and change of crews five jets will deploy further to Australia together with the French and Spanish crews to take part in the multinational air force exercise “Pitch Black”. The remaining three German Eurofighter jets will stay in Japan to train together with the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) in the exercise “Nippon Skies”. After this historic event – for the first time German fighter jets will train in Japanese air space - these three jets will deploy to Hawaii to train together with the German Navy and international partners in the exercise “Rimpac”. The German-French team in Australia deploys further to India, where the Indian Air Force led exercise “Tarang Shakti Phase 1” will take place.

Pacific Skies 24 was designed because of the special importance of security cooperation with Germany’s partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Through joint training, the partners will increase their operational capability and prove that in an emergency they will be able to enforce the principles of a rules-based international order.

Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz
Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of the German Air Force Bundeswehr/Jane Schmidt
“By participating in Pacific Skies 24, we as Europeans are showing presence in a part of the world that is of great importance to all of us. We will deploy to the Indo-Pacific region together with Spain and France and take part in five different exercises.”
Pacific Skies flight routes
Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe

Current News in Pictures

  • On the way to the podium, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz is accompanied by an Indian officer

    On the way to the podium, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz is accompanied by an Indian officer

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz gives a lecture on Pacific Skies 24 at the Indian Leadership Academy

    Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz gives a lecture on Pacific Skies 24 at the Indian Leadership Academy

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • Hundreds of Indian officer candidates sit in a lecture room

    Around 500 aspiring Indian officers are closely following the words of the German Air Chief

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • A eurofighter taxis to the start of its training flight

    The first Eurofighter from Tactical Air Force Squadron 71 taxis to the runway to begin its training flight

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • A Eurofighter takes off for a training flight during exercise Tarang Shakti

    At the start of the "Tarang Shakti" exercise, the first Eurofighter takes off from Sulur Air Force Base in India

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • Three people stand on the air base and shake hands

    Dr. Philipp Ackermann and Indian Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari welcome Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz at Sulur Air Base in India

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • The first German Eurofighter lands at Sulur Air Base in India

    The first German Eurofighter lands at Sulur Air Base in India

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • Four fighter jets fly in formation over the air base in Sulur

    Two Eurofighters from Tactical Air Force Squadron 71, as well as a French Rafale and an Indian Tejas, fly in formation over Sulur Air Force Base in India at the start of the exercise.

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • Soldiers wearing different uniforms sit in a room and look at a screen.

    The closing ceremony on 2 August officially marks the end of the Air Force exercise Pitch Black 24 in Australia

    Bundeswehr
  • Two soldiers in flight suits shake hands and hand over a picture.

    Australian Air Commodore Pete Robinson at the closing ceremony of exercise Pitch Black 24 on 2 August 2024 with the German command from Wittmund

    Bundeswehr
  • A German soldier and an Australian soldier in flight suits hold a wooden box in front of a stage.

    Colonel Andersen, Commander of Tactical Air Wing 71 "Richthofen", thanks Australian Air Commodore Pete Robinson for his hospitality at the closing ceremony of the multinational air exercise Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr
  • A pilot gives a press statement while other soldiers and fighter jets stand in the background.

    On August 2, 2024, Australian Air Commodore Pete Robinson makes a statement at the final press conference of exercise Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • Two military men greet each other in front of a stationary car.

    Visit of the Korean Lieutenant General Kim Hyoung Soo to the German contingent in Australia. Commodore, Colonel Andersen, from Tactical Air Force Squadron 71 "Richthofen" receives the distinguished guest.

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • A Korean pilot sits in an open cockpit while a German pilot stands next to it.

    On August 1, 2024, Colonel Anderson of Tactical Air Squadron 71 "Richthofen" shows Korean Lt. Gen. Kim Hyoung Soo the German Eurofighter during exercise Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • Two soldiers in flight suits stand in front of a fighter jet and hold a patch.

    On August 1, 2024, Korean Lieutenant General Kim Hyoung Soo visited the German contingent at Exercise Pitch Black Australia, where he was welcomed by the Commodore of Tactical Air Squadron 71 "Richthofen"

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • A group of runners with mostly red T-shirts stands in a semicircle.

    The Inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, and the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Males, at the Friendship Run for Australian Veterans

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A group of runners in mostly red T-shirts in front of the waterfront.

    The Inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, during the Friendship Run in Darwin, Australia. The run, which takes place parallel to Pitch Black24, highlights the concerns of Australian veterans.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Two men greet each other in running shirts.

    The Chief of the Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappel, and the Inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, at the Friendship Run on August 1st. The run aims to raise awareness of the issues facing Australian veterans.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A plane lands in the sunset.

    A C-130J transport aircraft lands in Australia at Pitch Black 24 on July 30, 2024. On board is the Air Force inspector, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who would like to visit the German contingent on the Pitch Black 24 exercise.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • At an airport at night, the viewer looks over the shoulder of a soldier wearing a high-visibility vest.

    A C-130J lands in Australia at Pitch Black on July 30, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A transport plane in spotlights at an airfield.

    A C-130J transport aircraft lands in Australia at Pitch Black 24 on July 30, 2024. On board is the Air Force inspector, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who would like to visit the German contingent on the Pitch Black 24 exercise.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A transport plane in spotlights at an airfield.

    A C-130J transport aircraft lands in Australia at Pitch Black 24 on July 30, 2024. On board is the Air Force inspector, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who would like to visit the German contingent on the Pitch Black 24 exercise.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Finns of fighter jets as the sun sets.

    The fighter jets in the parking position on July 29 during Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Several fighter jets and a tanker aircraft in the air.

    A German Eurofighter in the air during exercise Pitch Black 24 together with an Airbus A330 MRTTMulti Role Tanker Transport (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) tanker aircraft of the French Air Force and Indian SU-30 fighter aircraft

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • A fighter jet in sideways flight with the underside facing the viewer.

    German Eurofighter in flight during exercise Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • A pilot sits in the cockpit of an open fighter jet while the sun shines in the sky.

    A Eurofighter pilot shortly before take-off

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • An old fighter jet as an exhibit.

    At the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin, where the German contingent is stationed at Pitch Black 24, a Dessault Mirage III is on display

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • In the foreground is a fighter jet, while in the background is a transport plane.

    Shortly after the arrival of an Australian C-130 transport aircraft

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • There is a helmet in the foreground while work is being done in the background.

    Helmet of a technician from the Eurofighter ground crew with Pitch Black 24 sticker

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • Different fighter jets on a concrete surface.

    In the background, an F-35 of the Italian Air Force rolls towards its parking position, while in the foreground an Italian Eurofighter stands

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • Two pilots look at a picture frame while a fighter jet is in the background.

    After completing the flight on the German Eurofighter at Pitch Black 24, the French pilot will receive a certificate from the German pilot on July 26, 2024.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Two pilots sit in a closed cockpit of a fighter jet.

    At Pitch Black 24, the exchange between partners is very important. A German Eurofighter pilot was allowed to fly in the back seat of a French Rafale.

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Two soldiers lean over the open cockpit of a fighter jet.

    A French technician explains the Rafale to a German. Cross servicing is the process of training soldiers from other nations to handle other nations' aircraft.

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • From the window of a fighter jet you can see another fighter jet flying above the clouds.

    A French pilot flies in the back seat of a Eurofighter at Pitch Black 24

    Bundeswehr
  • A soldier stands in front of an A400M.

    On 23.07.2024 a German A400M arrived in Japan.

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • The leaders of the Japanese and German air forces greet each other.

    During "Nippon Skies 2024", the German and Japanese air forces reinforce their cooperation and partnership.

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • The air chief of the German Air Force stands together with the soldiers on a runway.

    After the press conference on 23.07.2024, the air chief of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, exchanged exchanges with the German soldiers in Japan.

    Bundeswehr/Francis Hildemann
  • A Eurofighter rolls over the airfield while work is being carried out in the foreground.

    The German Eurofighters on their way to another mission for Pitch Black 2024

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • Something is drawn on a map with a compass while pieces of paper lie in the background.

    Planning is key in multinational air exercises. Here, a soldier plans a mission for Pitch Black 2024.

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • A soldier wearing a safety vest has his back turned to the viewer and is looking at the Eurofighter.

    Flight preparation for a Eurofighter during the Air Force exercise Pitch Black 24 on 25 July 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fence with a poster showing a fighter jet in front of a map of Australia.

    Entrance to the German camp at the Royal Australian Air Force air base in Darwin. This is where the parts of the Tactical Air Force Wing 71 "Richthofen" from Wittmund that are taking part in the Pitch Black 2024 exercise are housed.

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • A fighter jet takes off from an airfield at dawn.

    An F-15 takes off at sunset at Pitch Black on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet takes off from an airfield at dawn.

    A Sukhoi Su-30 of the Indian Air Force takes off at Pitch Black at sunset on 22.07.2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet takes off from an airfield at dusk.

    An EA - 18G Growler launches into the sunset at Pitch Black on 22.07.2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet lands on an airfield.

    A Philippine T-50-PH fighter jet lands at Pitch Black 2024 on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet lands on an airfield.

    An F-35B of the Italian Navy lands at Pitch Black 2024 on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet lands on an airfield.

    A Eurofighter from Tactical Air Force Wing 71 "Richthofen" lands at Pitch Black 2024 on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A jet takes off.

    An AV-8B Harrier II launches as part of Pitch Black on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A jet takes off from the flight path.

    An F-15 launches at Pitch Black 2024 on July 22, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A jet takes off from the flight path.

    An F-16 from Singapore takes off during exercise Pitch Black on 22 July 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A fighter jet in front of a large aircraft.

    On July 20, 2024, German Eurofighters will land in Australia for the Pitch Black 2024 exercise. In the background you can see a Japanese Boeing E-767, which is used for airspace surveillance.

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • In the background there is a fighter jet while in the foreground there is an air traffic control car.

    On 20 July 2024, the German Eurofighters arrived at Darwin Air Base for the Pitch Black 2024 exercise, while Australian air safety ensured that everything ran smoothly

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • Two fighter jets stand on the airfield with their engines running.

    Arrival of the German Eurofighter and the French Rafale in Australia on July 20, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Daniel Redell
  • Three fighter jets in flight at an angle.

    A German and Spanish Eurofighter and a French Rafale approaching Darwin Air Base in Australia on July 20, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Jan Hartmann
  • Soldiers stand on an airfield and look towards several stationary fighter jets.

    Welcoming German and Spanish Eurofighters at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin, Australia, for the Pitch Black 2024 exercise

    Bundeswehr/Jan Hartmann
  • An Aircraft is directed to its parking space at the airfield.

    A Eurofighter is guided to its airfield parking space following its arrival at the Royal Australian Air Force base in Darwin, Australia, on July 20, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • Three pilots stand in front of fighter jets

    Press statement after the German and Spanish Eurofighters, as well as the French Rafales for Pitch Black 2024, arrived on July 20, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Cora Mohrdieck
  • A German, Spanish and French soldier stand next to each other.

    The joint exercises with the allies are fundamental in order to be able to act efficiently. Safe action in a network is the end product of multinational cooperation.

    Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace/Remi Najean
  • American Navy maintenance personnel walk in front of a fighter jet.

    American Navy maintenance personnel are part of the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise. You are responsible for the F-18.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A US NAVY F-18 flies amidst a gray sky.

    A USUnited States NAVY F-18 after taking off from Eielson Air Base in Alaska.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A man sits in a cockpit and poses towards the camera.

    Together with their Canadian, American, French and Spanish comrades, the German units will be practicing in the “Arctic Defender 2024” exercise in Alaska over the next few days.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A German Eurofighter and a French Rafale taxi to the runway to begin the first take-off phase of the day

    A German Eurofighter and a French Rafale taxi to the runway to begin the first take-off phase of the day. They are training together at the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise in Alaska.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • The German and Spanish maintenance comrades support each other during the exercise "Arctic Defender 2024"

    The German and Spanish maintenance comrades support each other during the exercise "Arctic Defender 2024". This is what is known as combined maintenance.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A plane lands at an airfield in Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Defense Minister Boris Pistorius landed in Fairbanks, Alaska on July 7, 2024 to visit the soldiers during the “Arctic Defender” exercise

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stands in front of microphones.

    Before the NATO summit in Washington, the Defense Minister visits soldiers at the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • Media representatives stand around Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

    Defense Minister Boris Pistorius gave his first words immediately after landing in Alaska on July 7, 2024

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • In the background there is a plane on a runway.

    Fairbanks Alaska welcomed the Secretary of Defense Boris Pistorius during Pacific Skies 2024

    Bundeswehr/Christian Timmig
  • A flighter jet flies with the afterburner switched on.

    Alaska offers the best conditions for a low-level flight exercise

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A fighter jet flies in the sunny sky.

    During the deployment Pacific Skies 24, the Tactical Air Wing 33 conducts low-level flight exercises

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A soldier works on the fuselage of a fighter jet.

    During Pacific Skies 24, the maintenance squadrons work at different locations around the world

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A soldier works on the engine of a fighter jet.

    During the deployment Pacific Skies 24 an engine has to be replaced. Several specialist areas of the maintenance squadron are involved.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A Tornado fighter aircraft during low-flying exercise in Alaska.

    The low-level exercise as part of the “Pacific Skies 24” deployment in Alaska begins. This is the last major international deployment, in which the German Tornado fleet takes part.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • Several tornadoes are lined up at the Air Force Base in Alaska.

    The Tornado fighter planes are lined up at the Air Force Base in Alaska - Anchorage. Ready for your use in the low-altitude flight exercise.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • Several Tornado fighter jets are lined up at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.

    For the deployment exercise "Pacific Skies 24" three more Tornado jets of the Tactical Air Wing 33 flew to Anchorage in Alaska

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • Several Tornado fighter jets are lined up at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.

    The low-level exercise as part of “Pacific Skies 24” in Alaska begins. The low-level flights will be trained in Alaska for the first time.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A tornado jet fighter lands.

    Tornado jets arriving in the afternoon: The Tactical Air Force Squadron 33 landed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. These will take part in the low level exercise in Anchorage, Alaska.

    Bundeswehr/Sherifa Kästner
  • A fighter jet takes off with afterburner.

    At the start of exercise Pacific Skies 24, the first Tornado fighter aircraft takes off from Nörvenich Air Base in Germany towards Alaska, USA

    Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe
  • Several fighter jets are taxiing to take off.

    The first Tornados began the complex deployment to Alaska from Germany to train NATO standards with allies

    Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe
  • Several fighter jets are preparing to take off.

    The Tornado fighter aircraft are at the first training site of the five-part deployment Pacific Skies 24, now for low-altitude flight training in Alaska

    Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe

Pacific Skies 24 in a nutshell

The most important facts about the largest exercise project of the German Air Force in 2024

  • „Low Level Training”: German Air Force tornado aircraft will practice low-level flying in Alaska from 17 to 29 June

  • „Arctic Defender”: air-to-air combat in Alaska from 8 to 18 July

  • „Nippon Skies”: joint training flights with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force from 22 to 25 July

  • „Pitch Black”: multinational air combat exercise in Australia from 22 July to 1 August

  • „Rimpac”: cooperation with the German Navy in Hawaii from 22 to 30 July

  •  „TARANG SHAKTI : joint training flights with the Indian Air Force from 7 to 14 August
Nations and aircraft participating in Pacific Skies 24
Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe

The German Air Force is a so-called first responder. This means that in a crisis it is one of the first forces to arrive on site. It must therefore be able to deploy rapidly and flexibly all over the world. During Pacific Skies, it will demonstrate this capability together with partners it cooperates and shares the same values with. Training together with partners in the Indo-Pacific region will test and extend interoperability, i.e. effective cooperation between the allied air forces.

Moreover, Germany together with France and Spain will demonstrate Europe's dedication to the Indo-Pacific region.

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Participating weapon systems