U.S. Air Force, Royal Australia Air Force, New Zealand Defence Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Royal Thai Air Force, and United Arab Emirates Armed Forces will conduct Exercise Pitch Black 2014 at RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal, Delamere Air Weapons Range and Bradshaw Field Training Area, Australia, Aug. 4 to 22, 2014.

The exercise is the latest iteration of a long standing, multilateral exercise designed to enhance each countries' air operations.

The exercise will focus on large-scale offensive counter air and offensive air support missions in large, multinational formations. A coordinated multilateral response to regional challenges is the best way to increase peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Pitch Black began in 1990 involving only Singapore and Australia, and over time grew in size and purpose. The United States last participated in Pitch Black in 2012. By participating in exercises with military forces from partner nations in the Asia-Pacific, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to peace and stability in the region.