RAAF and RMAF Conclude Exercise Elangaroo 24

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) have concluded jet fighter training held as part of Exercise Elangaroo 24.

Malaysia is one of Australia’s most important regional partners.

RAAF F-35A Lightning IIs flew air combat training missions with RMAF F/A-18D Hornets and SU-30MKM Flankers over the skies of Malaysia.

Exercise Elangaroo 24 allowed RAAF pilots to practice agile combat employment missions to RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia, where their F-35As would land mid-mission to refuel.

The aerial exercises which concluded on this October 4, involved ground, aircrew and maintenance personnel training and engagement activities, which were designed to improve how both air forces work together.

No. 77 Squadron, deployed six F-35As and approximately 140 RAAF aviators for the exercise, said Wing Commander Paul Simmons, Commanding Officer No. 77 Squadron.

“Air combat training allows us to integrate people and systems from respective air forces, learn each other’s strengths, and understand how to fight together,” Wing Commander Simmons said, adding, “agile combat employment provides greater flexibility in how we employ F-35As on operations, increasing their survivability and resilience against threats

The RAAF aircraft operated from the RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore.

RAAF F-35As deployed to Singapore are supporting a string of exercises in the region this October.

The RAAF had debuted its F-35As in Malaysia at Exercise Elangaroo 22