Forging Friendships: JASDF deploy to Australia.

Kōkū Jieitai deploy to Australia for six weeks participating in Exercises Southern Cross and Pitch Black 2026

 

Article: Jaryd Stock

Images: Ryan Imeson

 

Australian and Japanese defence ties are drawing closer together in a time where alliances are made and shaped by the uneasy world around us.

And a relationship that is getting stronger by the day is the one that is blossoming between the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Kōkū Jieitai, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

The JASDF strengthened its operational relationship with the RAAF and other regional partners through its participation in Exercise Southern Cross and Exercise Pitch Black 2026 departing Japan and arriving at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory for the detachments historic six week deployment.

 

 

Approximately 250 JASDF personnel deployed to Australia for the exercises with the contingent being drawn primarily from the 3rd Air Wing (3rdAW) at Misawa Air Base in the Amori prefecture, along with the Airborne Warning and Control Wing, with personnel pooled from both 601st Squadron also based at Misawa and from the 603rd Squadron based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa. 

The deployment provided valuable opportunities for Japanese aircrews and associated ground support personnel to conduct realistic multinational training, improve interoperability and deepen the close defence relationship between Japan and Australia.

The deployed aircraft included six F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft from the 3rd Air Wing and two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft from the Airborne Warning and Control Wing. Of note also especially during exercise Southern Cross a single KC-46A Pegasus from the 405th Squadron deployed to Darwin from Miho Air Base, Totorri Prefecture.

For the JASDF, the deployment of the F-35A Lightning II was a particularly significant moment as it marked the second time JASDF have deployed the aircraft to Australia, with the first deployment of two F-35A’s from 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron occurring back in 2023 at RAAF Base Tindal.

 

 

 

This deployment for the F-35 crews who flew around 6,400 kilometres to get to Darwin provided another opportunity for the 3rdAW to operate alongside their friends from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the United States Air Force and other participating air forces in a demanding Large Force Employment environment which Exercise Pitch Black is known for.

Japan regards Australia as a Special Strategic Partner in the Indo-Pacific, sharing fundamental values and strategic interests in the Indo Pacific region and against this backdrop, multinational exercises such as Pitch Black offer more than an opportunity to practise individual tactical skills.

They allow participating forces to learn how their partners operate, refine procedures and develop the interoperability required for effective cooperation in complex operational environments.

Commander of the flight group from the 3rd Air Wing Colonel Taro Murao, talked exclusively with APD during Exercise Pitch Black highlighting the JASDF’s deployment to Australia.

“For JASDF F-35A personnel, training alongside the RAAF was particularly valuable”, stated Col Muaro.

“Training alongside the RAAF provides opportunities for both air forces to better understand each other’s capabilities, procedures, and approaches to operations, while further improving interoperability.”

 

Both the JASDF and RAAF operate the same advanced fighter platform and have developed their own operational approaches and procedures so whilst working together in these exercises they are better able to learn and grow their own capabilities for seamless F-35 operations and integration both on the ground and in the air.

Pitch Black’s expansive training airspace which is something the JASDF are not used to due to constraints to local airspace and training areas in Japan, and the associated support facilities found at RAAF Base Darwin and Tindal have enabled the 3rdAW to train under a variety of realistic and complex scenarios with a number of key partners in the region, and it is that knowledge the JASDF are keen to learn and take back with them to incorporate into the JASDF fighting structure.

The benefits also extended in both directions through combined training, professional interactions and exchanges on the ground, Japanese and Australian personnel were able to compare experiences and develop a greater appreciation of each other’s capabilities with the F-35 aircraft during both exercises.

During Exercise Southern Cross JASDF 3rdAW and RAAF No.75 Squadron F-35’s conducted various Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) training procedures on the ground at both Darwin and Tindal working alongside U.S. Air Force C-130-30J Hercules aircraft from the 374th Airlift Wing based out of Yokota Air Base, Tokyo.

Col Muaro said, “For us it is equally important, operating and training together in exercises like Southern Cross and Pitch Black as it strengthens the professional relationships and builds mutual trust between our personnel.”

“These opportunities are extremely valuable to the JASDF and contribute to the continued development of our strong defence relationship with Australia.”

The deployment of the JASDF E-2D Advanced Hawkeye was another important milestone as it marked the first time the Hawkeye was deployed to Australia to participate in both exercises.

Exercise Pitch Black provided an opportunity to further assess the E-2D’s advanced radar capabilities operating as apart of the Command & Control piece, as well as the operational advantages provided by its increased fuel capacity and endurance.

 

“Through the exercise, we were able to further confirm the capabilities of the E-2D’s advanced radar and sensor systems, as well as the benefits of its increased fuel capacity and extended endurance,” stated Col Muaro.

The environment itself offered an important learning opportunity to the JASDF E-2D crews who’s missions and training in Japan are primarily conducted in maritime environments, whereas Exercises Southern Cross and Pitch Black provided valuable experience operating in a different setting, including over land.

603rd Squadron based out of Naha Air Base in Okinawa have routinely been tasked to conduct various missions for the JASDF South West Air Defence Area in the South China Sea as Chinese aircraft and ships routinely operate close to Japanese waters and airspace, something that the PLAAF are increasing over the last several years.

This training over land allowed personnel to identify the differences operating between maritime and overland operations and to further develop their knowledge and proficiency in employing the aircraft and its systems across a broader range of operational conditions.

The exercise also brought Japanese and Australian airborne early warning and control personnel together. 

JASDF E-2D personnel had opportunities to operate and engage alongside members of RAAF No.2 Squadron, which operates the E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, both in the air and on the ground with No.2 SQN also operating out of RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black..

These interactions created opportunities for professional knowledge exchange.

Colonel Muaro said to APD that the “JASDF and RAAF personnel shared experiences concerning their respective operations and were able to learn from one another through discussions and practical engagement.”

 “Such exchanges can contribute to capability development by improving mutual understanding and helping both forces identify ways to work more effectively together during future training and activities.”

Beyond the operational objectives, the deployment reflected the increasingly close personal relationship between the JASDF and RAAF.

Exercises such as Pitch Black and Bushido Guardian which is conducted in Japan provide repeated opportunities for both RAAF and JASDF personnel to train together in realistic conditions, but their value extends beyond aircraft, tactics and procedures.

 

 

Working side by side over time strengthens familiarity, confidence and trust between individuals and contributes to the broader defence relationship between Japan and Australia.

For those deployed to Darwin, the experience also offered an opportunity to appreciate Australia’s distinctive landscape and culture. Darwin’s vast landscape and expansive horizons provided a striking contrast with the environments more commonly encountered in Japan.

Reflecting on his six week deployment to Australia Coll Muaro remakes at the beauty found in the Australian Outback. “Darwin is a wonderful place, and one of the things that impressed me most was its vast landscape and expansive horizon, which is quite different from what we normally see in Japan.”

“The Northern Territory is also blessed with beautiful nature and a unique culture. During my time off, I had opportunities to visit Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park, where I enjoyed the spectacular landscapes and waterfalls.”

“I learned more about the culture and history of Aboriginal Australians and I was particularly impressed by the ancient rock art that has been preserved for thousands of years.”

Professionally for Col Muaro and the JASDF they were impressed by the RAAF’s capabilities to support an extensive exercise like Pitch Black.

The support provided at Darwin Airport Precinct–Darwin (DAP-D) also played an important role in the success of the deployment.

“The comfortable and well-organised facilities, together with the support provided by our Australian hosts, allowed us to focus fully on our training and mission.” 

“I am sincerely grateful for the warm hospitality and support we eceived throughout our time in Australia.” Stated Colonel Muaro. 

Ultimately, Exercises Southern Cross and Pitch Black 2026 demonstrated the value of sustained engagement between Japan and Australia. From F-35A fighter operations and E-2D airborne early warning missions to professional exchanges between personnel, the deployment enhanced tactical skills, interoperability and mutual understanding. 

By continuing to train together in demanding multinational exercises, the JASDF and RAAF are not only improving their ability to operate effectively alongside one another but also play a part contributing to the broader greater goal of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.