Exercise Diamond Storm 22 set to begin on the 30th of May in Australia’s Top End.
Article & Images: Jaryd Stock
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Exercise Diamond Storm 22 is set to commence in the Northern Territory being the first time since 2019 the exercise has been held in the Top End of Australia.
Diamond Storm is the culminating activity of the third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC), following a six-month-long series of exercises throughout Australia particularly from RAAF Base Williamtown where perspective Air Warfare graduates were put to the test most notably during exercise Diamond Shield.
AWIC22 integrates warfighting functions across a range of specialisations to develop expert air warfare instructors who will represent the next generation of tactical and integrated warfare experts across the air combat spectrum.
Exercise Diamond Storm 22 will take place throughout the Northern Territory, including Darwin, Katherine, Timber Creek, Douglas Daly region and Delamere Air Weapons Range, from 30 May to 24 June, 2022.
Commander Air Warfare Centre, Air Commodore Ross Bender said the Diamond Series of exercises enhanced and promoted Air Force’s interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and international partners.
“Diamond Seas and Diamond Shield brought together Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force elements in complex maritime and defensive counter air focused scenarios, providing training opportunities to practise and consolidate integrated tactics,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“As the culminating activity, Diamond Storm provides our candidates with the opportunity to apply their skills in high-end warfighting scenarios alongside international partners.”
Fighting First F/A-18F Super Hornet powers past the Darwin City skyline during Diamond Storm 2019.
The trainee air warfare instructors have developed their expertise through academic activities and practical exercises that expose the candidates to complex scenarios, focused on broadening and improving their skills.
“On completion of the course, our air warfare instructors will be knowledgeable and approachable experts who can integrate people, systems and combat effects across the five warfare domains: air, land, maritime, space and cyber,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“We will conduct Exercise Diamond Storm throughout the Northern Territory, operating within some of the best training environments Australia has to offer.”
AWIC22 encompassed three integration exercises – Exercise Diamond Seas, Exercise Diamond Shield and Exercise Diamond Storm.
AWIC 22 has featured AWIC students train with the F-35A Lightning II.
Jaryd picked up a camera at a young age and has never looked back. He now combines photography and writing to highlight "Downunder" aviation; especially U.S. DoD units. Jaryd uses Nikon cameras and lenses.