RAAF personnel and aircraft have successfully completed a highly praised fighter jet exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
Exercise Thai Boomerang 23 focused on bringing about better compatibility between the two forces through air combat training scenarios.
This year’s Thai Boomerang was the first since 2019 after the activity was cancelled in 2021, meaning both sides were keen to fly the skies of Thailand again.
The exercise involved F/A-18F Super Hornets from 1 Squadron on the Australian side working alongside Thai F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen fighters.
Wing Commander Sean Hamilton said the exercise allowed Australian aircrew to calibrate their skills with different aircraft.
“They had to work collaboratively with their RTAF counterparts to understand each other’s capabilities and this experience has strengthened their ability to partner with the RTAF in the future,” Wing Commander Hamilton said.
“Additionally, our squadron has benefited from working in the Southeast Asian tropical environment through heat, humidity, and thunderstorms.
“We have followed the lead of the RTAF and learnt from their experience operating in this environment.”
Flight Lieutenant Jack Leavesley, a pilot from 1 Squadron, said he would use what he had learnt from the Thais during the rest of his career.
“We have got so much value out of planning, briefing, flying and then debriefing with the aviators of the RTAF,” Flight Lieutenant Leavesley said.
“I have developed many friendships and have immense appreciation for the pride and professionalism that the RTAF have.”
RAAF also embedded a Combat Support Group firefighter plus a 452 Squadron air traffic controller with RTAF counterparts to share their experiences and learn from each other.
Australia regards Thailand as an important partner and the two countries share a history and a defence partnership.
Reflecting Thailand’s importance as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, the Australia-Thailand relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in November 2020.
