Welcoming back the Papua New Guinea Defence Force to Exercise Pitch Black!

Take a look at the return of the PAC-750 to Exercise Pitch Black 2026.

 

Article and images by: Ryan Imeson

 

It is the aircraft that the local communities of Darwin and Katherine have become quite accustomed to seeing daily during Exercise Pitch Black (ExPB) and it looks a whole lot different to the majority of anything else participating.

The PAC-750 from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) does not have the speed nor sound of an F-16 or EA-18G Growler, but it is a workhorse and plays an important role during ExPB.

Making their return this year following an inaugural appearance in 2024, the PAC-750 is back for another iteration.

Two airframes have made the two-day journey from Papua New Guinea to Darwin, completing stops at Horn Island and Gove.

The aircraft is being utilised in a number of different ways at ExPB, with one of those explained to APD by Lieutenant Quinten Hiawani, Detachment Commander of the PNGDF.

“We are here as a light to medium lift aircraft. We are simulating airdrops in between the exercise area itself.”

The PAC-750 gives the PNGDF the ability to conduct short take-offs and landings, allowing it to be used where perhaps other aircraft participating in ExPB can’t.

A dedicated team of aircrew and support personnel have deployed to ExPB in 2026 with greater numbers than in 2024, allowing the team to engage and integrate on a much broader scale during this exercise.

The PAC-750 also fills a transportation role at ExPB, with the aircraft able to conduct transit flights between RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal for the duration of the exercise. 

Working alongside approximately 20 different nations provides the PNGDF the chance to enhance their understanding of multinational operations while developing the professional relationships that contribute to regional security and cooperation.

As an example Lieutenant Hiawani spoke of the interoperability between Australia and Papua New Guinea and how it has strengthened in recent times.

“The arrangement in place with 35 Squadron and how the RAAF is assisting us has helped us a lot, especially with this aircraft here. In 2021 when we got this aircraft we had QFI’s (Qualified Flying Instructor) that were RAAF personnel. They have trained us to be where we are.”

Operations of the C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron are frequent to Papua New Guinea and this greatly assists the PNGDF.

“They are basically our sister Squadron. They assist us in a lot of HADR tasks (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), movement of our own military personnel back and forth in border operations.”

Lieutenant Hiawani on his second deployment to an Exercise Pitch Black spoke of some personal highlights from his time so far at this iteration.

“Coming down here as the Detachment Commander, it means a lot. For myself, to be given my captaincy here in Australia which happened last Wednesday, it means a lot to me especially in an exercise as big as this.

Having the aircraft deployed to the exercise enables an even closer collaboration between the PNGDF and RAAF personnel as well as other regional partners.

Exercise Pitch Black concludes on Friday 7th August.