Australia’s next generation of air warfare experts had the opportunity to practise mastery in the integration of advanced air effects alongside United States Air Force (USAF) B-2 Spirit stealth bombers as part Exercise Diamond Storm.
In a unique training opportunity, USAF deployed the world’s most advanced strategic stealth bomber to support the exercise and achieve key outcomes of the Enhanced Air Cooperation program.
The Royal Australian Air Force’s Director General Air Combat Operations, Air Commodore Pete Robinson, said the inclusion and employment of the B-2 demonstrated the strong partnership between Australia and the US, and the professionalism of Air Warfare Instructor Course candidates to apply their high-end skills.
“The Air Warfare Instructor Course is vital to ensure the preparedness of Royal Australian Air Force personnel, and to train the next generation of experts in integrated air power effects to enable a collective strategy of denial in our region,” Air Commodore Robinson said.
“The inclusion of the B-2 stealth bomber in the exercise is a clear example of the strong relationship and trust between Australia and the United States and proves our ability to develop practitioners who can operate at the high end of an international force.
“On the ground, our aviators at RAAF Base Amberley provided security and logistics support in a short window that reinforced our deepening interoperability and force posture initiatives that are vital to enable advanced and agile air domain effects.
“It clearly demonstrates that our closest partner sees the value of our high-quality training and that we can seamlessly support each other.”
‘Our combined network of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is an asymmetrical advantage that our adversaries will never match.’
The B-2’s inclusion in Diamond Storm included fifth-generation integration with Australia’s F-35s, air-to-air support and ground-based refuelling, and security and logistics support in a high-tempo scenario.
The USAF 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander said their team were honoured to fly and train alongside Australian partners.
“This high-end, all domain integration is invaluable to maintaining a top-of-state readiness, our always-ready global strike capability, and integrated lethality with our coalition partners,” the commander said.
“This exercise reinforces that the United States does not face the challenging international environment alone.
“Our combined network of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is an asymmetrical advantage that our adversaries will never match.”
