25 October 2024
Royal Australian Air Force personnel called in weapons strikes from air combat aircraft and artillery units during Exercise Black Dagger 24 between October 7 and 18.
Black Dagger was the final activity for the 75 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Course, where students coordinated the live and simulated employment of aircraft and ordnance in air-to-ground scenarios at RAAF Base Townsville.
Commanding Officer 4 Squadron Wing Commander Stephen Duffy said the live-fire activity ensured JTAC was ready to call in ground fire in support of the joint force.
“The exercise saw students execute the planning, briefing, controlling and reporting of close air support missions,” Wing Commander Duffy said.
Deploying their Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, 4 Squadron was supported by F/A-18F Super Hornets from 1 Squadron and 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.
“Black Dagger provides us with the opportunity to further increase our effectiveness working with an essential strike capability, like that provided by 1 Squadron,” Wing Commander Duffy said.
The Australian Army's 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, a Mortar Platoon, also supported the exercise.
“Townsville is a fantastic training area for this exercise. We were able to use the training area to realistically employ F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, which requires coordination by our Joint Terminal Attack Controllers,” Wing Commander Duffy said.
“We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the local community during these vital training activities.”
The training also ensures Air Force aviators have the skills necessary to conduct air base operations roles from bases in northern Australia.
