Military Crews Take Part in ‘Pitch Black,’ Asia-Pacific’s Largest Air Force Exercise

F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrew members head to their aircraft in preparation for departure to the Middle East from RAAF Base Amberley in Amberley, Australia, on Sept. 21, 2014. CPL Ben Dempster/Royal Australian Air Force via Getty Images

The tropical northern city of Darwin is hosting 4,000 personnel and 140 aircraft over the next three weeks as air forces from around the world take part in Exercise Pitch Black, one of Asia-Pacific’s largest air force training exercises.