Exercise Thai Boomerang commences in Thailand
30 August 2023
From 21 August to 1 September, 120 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel and six aircraft are participating in Exercise Thai Boomerang 23.
Exercise Thai Boomerang is a bilateral fighter exercise between the RAAF and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), focused on enhancing interoperability through Dissimilar Air Combat Training and Large Force Employment scenarios.
Based out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, the exercise involves F/A-18F Super Hornets from RAAF’s No. 1 Squadron working alongside Royal Thai Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen fighters.
The exercise provides an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between Australia and Thailand through defence engagement, by fostering closer understanding, friendship and rapport between aviators at all levels.
Wing Commander Sean Hamilton, Commanding Officer No. 1 Squadron, said the exercise will test and improve RAAF and RTAF force integration, as well as strengthen our bilateral partnership and combined readiness.
“Exercise Thai Boomerang provides an opportunity to enhance Australia’s security partnership with Thailand through stronger relationships and interoperability,” Wing Commander Hamilton said.
“We look forward to training alongside the Royal Thai Air Force and conducting air combat scenarios with mixed formations of fighters.
“These shared experiences provide the building blocks for the close and friendly working relationships we enjoy, and we will learn from these experiences so as to become a more effective fighting force by offering our own fighter expertise in return.”
Australia regards Thailand as an important partner and the two countries share a rich history of defence engagement through education, training, and practical security cooperation.
Note for editors:
Further information about F/A-18F Super Hornet can be found at: https://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/18f-super-hornet
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