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The RAAF and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have opened Exercise Thai Boomerang 25 in Thailand.
With more than 500 participants across both air forces, the exercise – now in its 15th year – will run until 19 September, building upon the defence partnership established between Australia and Thailand in 1992.
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“Primarily located at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability through dissimilar air combat training and scenarios in large force employment, and close air support of ground forces,” Defence said in a press release.
“The exercise involves F/A-18F Super Hornets from RAAF’s 1 Squadron and personnel from 4 Squadron working alongside RTAF F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen aircraft.”
According to Commanding Officer 1 Squadron Wing Commander Trent Baldry, the bilateral activity is important to both Australia and Thailand.
“Exercise Thai Boomerang is a valuable opportunity to learn from one another through combined air combat training. The profiles and scenarios are from across the spectrum of combat air power,” he said.
“Defence engagements, like Exercise Thai Boomerang, foster friendship and rapport between RAAF and RTAF aviators at all levels. We look forward to training side by side, as we have done for many years.”
Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald, described the cooperation as an “important pillar” of the bilateral relationship.
“Australia and Thailand are strategic partners who share 73 years of diplomatic relations. Exercise Thai Boomerang builds on decades of joint activities between our countries to strengthen coordination, skills and trust,” she said.
The RAAF has 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets used in conjunction with F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Larger than the ‘Classic’ Hornet predecessor, the Super Hornet offered enhanced capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions after 24 aircraft were delivered to the ADF in late 2011.
Super Hornets originally entered operational service with the US Navy in 2001 to replace F-14 Tomcats. The ageing aircraft, used across combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, are planned to be replaced by F/A-XX aircraft for the US Navy in the 2030s.
The multi-role fighters have been used extensively for air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops and interception of enemy supply lines, including shipping.
