1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: We have had a lot of people getting in contact 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:06,840 Speaker 1: with us about well the defense exercise Pitch Black's flying 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,479 Speaker 1: display at Mindle Beach. This is something that so many 4 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: people get very excited about and we are just a 5 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: month out from that display at Mindle Beach. It's held 6 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: every two years. Pitch Black, as we know, brings together 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: twenty one nations and more than one hundred and forty 8 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: aircraft focusing on large force employment missions from July twelve 9 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: to August two. And the public event, well, it gives 10 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,919 Speaker 1: the community the chance to check out military aircraft at 11 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: a free event which coincides of course with Mindle Markets 12 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: on July eighteen. It's followed as well by an open 13 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 1: day at our DOUBLEAF base Darwin. And joining us in 14 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: the studio for a bit of an update on the 15 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: event is air Commodore Mika Gray. Good morning to you 16 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: on the show again. Yeah, lovely to have you in 17 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: the studio. Now tell me what can we expect? 18 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 2: So, as you said, two great events Thursday Night Markets 19 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 2: on the eighteenth, middle forty five aircraft flying in an 20 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 2: hour and a half. Every aircraft's participating, every type of 21 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 2: participating in the exercise will be on display. Doing flypast 22 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 2: orbits and then some of them are actually doing fall 23 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 2: on the aerobatic displays, holding displays by Harrier aircraft, helicopters, 24 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 2: ospros down the beach five pm, be magnificent. 25 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: Is this something that do you do this anywhere else? 26 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 2: No, we don't. It started off many years ago where 27 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 2: we would just do a fly past on the way 28 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 2: to the exercise for the training on that Thursday night 29 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:31,320 Speaker 2: markets Aro, let's go and wave the flag And now 30 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 2: it's turned into a little mini air show and it's 31 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 2: all right and it's Darwin's Air Show effectively. It's really 32 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: important that people will get to see not only the 33 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 2: Australian Air Force but the twenty other air forces from 34 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 2: around the world. 35 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 1: That are here. And this year sounds like it's going 36 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: to be massive. Is she going to be bigger and 37 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: better than what we've previously seen? 38 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, the exercise is a little bit bigger. There's a 39 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 2: few countries that haven't been here before. Italy you're coming 40 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: for the first time with aircraft, and Spain and Alaiser 41 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: with aircraft, so Laiser's been here before with the Italy 42 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,560 Speaker 2: is bringing Sea. How is their Harrier and their F 43 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 2: thirty five last aircraft and a carrier shall be in 44 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 2: their aircraft carrier. 45 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 1: Yeah right, what's this going to be like for territory 46 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: and sitting there wanting to watch this air show? It 47 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: sounds like it's going to be unbelievable, really quite incredible 48 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: for them to see some of these aircraft up close 49 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: and really quite close. 50 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's right. So the aircraft will be about two 51 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 2: hundred meters off the beach. They'll be coming in from 52 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 2: the's point, looping around and then as I said, to 53 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 2: either flying pass for their bigger aircraft or doing an orbit. 54 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 2: We'll have some of the air refueling tankers like the 55 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 2: b Airbus and Bowing Airliner type sized aircraft with fighters 56 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 2: behind them simulating air to air refueling as they go past. 57 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 2: So we get an idea of what that looks like. 58 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, some of it I can't even imagine, you know, 59 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: unless unless you've seen it before, you can't even really 60 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: imagine what it's going to look like. 61 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, there be aircraft here people have never seen, 62 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,679 Speaker 2: you know, some of the European fighters be here, fighter 63 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: aircraft and their transport aircraft. And then of course on 64 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 2: the open Day on the Saturday, all those aircraft and 65 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 2: lots of other military displays will be on the ground 66 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 2: for people to wander around, get up close, get potographs, 67 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 2: talk to the air crew and the ground crew and 68 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 2: everyone else and just see all the capabilities from us 69 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 2: and our partners. 70 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: Now I understand that event. It is free, but people 71 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: are going to need to register this year to attend. 72 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's right, we need to ticket that event, just 73 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: for make sure we're controlling the numbers so we can 74 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 2: provide great service for shuttle buses and amenities on the day. 75 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 2: Those tickets will be through os ticks, o z tics, 76 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: to ix. Just google up RAF Open Day and it'll 77 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 2: come up. All right, are free tickets, but we do 78 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 2: need everyone of all ages to have a ticket to 79 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: come in. 80 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 1: And other numbers limited. Yeah, they will be okay, all right, Well, 81 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: we'll make sure if you are out there listening and 82 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: you can to come along OS ticks and then search 83 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: the RAF Open Day and you'll be able to find 84 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: those tickets on their free event. But you do need 85 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: to register. That's right. 86 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 2: Midday this Thursday of the twentieth, so one month before 87 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 2: the open day on the twentieth of July Oven Day, 88 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 2: twentieth of June. 89 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: Tickets excellent now I know that. Yeah, so Thursday, so look, 90 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: people are going to be keen as we've been getting 91 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: messages for the last week or so, and I guess 92 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: a lot of people had been messaging because there's been 93 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: some changes when it came to Territory Day, so people 94 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: were wondering whether there was going to be any changes 95 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: as well to the event that is being held. Of 96 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: course at Mindle but from what you're saying, that is 97 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: absolutely going ahead, that air show and it's going to 98 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: be spectacular, that's correct. 99 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, we work with the Mintal markets, you know, effectively 100 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 2: it's a it brings the people to the normally the 101 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 2: markets and lots of visitors from around the territory in 102 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 2: Australia that come to the Darls for that week. 103 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 1: Honestly, like I think to myself, I would not be 104 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 1: surprised if we've got people from all over Australia coming 105 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: to watch that air show, just because you know, from 106 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: what you've said there, with the different aircraft that are 107 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 1: going to be able to be viewed, it sounds like 108 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 1: it's going to be really something quite special for people. 109 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll be you know, the two events are flying 110 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: on the Thursday and then wandering around the aircraft. We 111 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 2: have people that have rung us throughout the year saying 112 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: when what are the dates because they want to plan 113 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,039 Speaker 2: their Northern Territory trip. 114 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: How interesting. Well, it is the best time of the 115 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,479 Speaker 1: year as well to be here. People I'm assuming as well, 116 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: are going to be able to interact with the personnel 117 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: from those different nations. 118 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 2: Oh, definitely. 119 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 1: Yeah. 120 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 2: In fact, it was just great last time seeing people 121 00:04:58,040 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: talking to you know, someone from Germany and talking about 122 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 2: the fighter and how they get here and what's life 123 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: like there and what sort of equipment they have. And 124 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: then of course all our own ADF Defense Force displays. 125 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: We've got the working dogs doing great handling displays there, 126 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:15,280 Speaker 2: We've got virtual rally, we've got simulators, we've got bomb 127 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 2: disposal robots and demonstrations of all that. So it's not 128 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 2: just about aircraft. You know, there's a job for everyone 129 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:21,799 Speaker 2: in the fence and most of that will be on display. 130 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,479 Speaker 1: Excellent, Well, it is going to be a wonderful event. Now, 131 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 1: just one last reminder where people need to go on 132 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: Thursday to get those tickets for the open day. 133 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, ostis o z tix and just search up raf 134 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 2: Dar and open Day and it'll come up. Tickets are free, 135 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 2: but we asked that everyone of all ages has a 136 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 2: ticket so we can make sure you've got a bus 137 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: seat and enough amenities and services and food and all 138 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 2: the things to little make it a great event. 139 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,679 Speaker 1: Good stuff, Well air commodore Mika Gray. Lovely to speak 140 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: with you again this morning. Thank you so much for 141 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: your time, and I reckon we'll probably catch up the 142 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 1: week of the event to make sure that everybody's aware 143 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: of exactly what's going on. 144 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 2: Sounds good, Thanks very thank you.