Yokota C-130J Eagle Airlifters participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026

DVIDS – News – Yokota C-130J Eagle Airlifters participate in <a href="https://healthylife7.com/u-s-air-force-demonstrates-allied-airpower-during-<a href="https://healthylife7.com/usar-deputy-commanding-general-visits-warrior-exercise-2026/” title=”USAR Deputy Commanding General Visits Warrior Exercise 2026″>exercise-pitch-black-flying-display-2026/” title=”U.S. Air Force demonstrates allied airpower during Exercise Pitch Black Flying Display 2026″>Exercise Pitch Black 2026

Yokota C-130J Eagle Airlifters participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026

NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

08.02.2026

Story by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft 

Pacific Air Forces

Yokota C-130J Eagle Airlifters participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026
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After sunset, one of the world’s largest military training airspaces roars to life with the collective effort of 21 nations generating large force employment offensive counter air and counter land operations for Exercise Pitch Black 2026 from July 20 to Aug 7, 2026

Pilots who operate the C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft specialize in tactical airlift missions anywhere and any time, often utilizing special equipment for night flights, a key training focus of Exercise Pitch Black

“Having the capability to fly with night vision goggles during airdrop and airland is incredibly important,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jack Rollings, a C-130J Super Hercules instructor pilot assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron (AS) at Yokota Air Base, Japan. “Being able to see the ground and other aircraft in the formation during complete darkness allows us to fly closer together and lower to the ground.”

Rollings further explained how that capability also allows crews to use runways and landing zones with little or no ground lighting, which can be critical to mission success in a tactical environment

“Exercises like Pitch Black allow us to sharpen our skills in environments we are not accustomed to,” said Maj. Rand Fowler, 36th AS exercise detachment commander. “We meet fellow aand services, building the teamwork we may need during a natural disaster or contingency.”

Participating air forces operating out of Royal Australian Air Force Base (RAAF), Darwin, coordinated large-scale air power generation training that emphasized logistics support

“The type of flying we are doing here is called tactical airlift, which is also a major part of our regular mission,” said Staff. Sgt. Noah Isom, a C-130J loadmaster assigned to the 36th AS. “It can include low-level flying, standard airlift and airdrop operations. Wherever we are tasked to go, we carry out the mission efficiently through proper training.”

“We can move equipment into places other assets just can’t go, be it a beach landing zone, contested airspace or airdropping to the side of a mountain,” Fowler added. “We can bring the supplies to fight anywhere in the area of responsibility.”

Additional multinational airlift aircraft at Exercise Pitch Black include the Australian C-27J Spartan, Australian KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), Spanish A400M Atlas, German A330 MRTT, Thailand C-130 Hercules, Papua New Guinea PAC-750, and French CN-235

Australia remains a vital U.S. ally and partner, connected by shared democratic values and strong economic, academic and personal ties. The partnership supports peace and stability across the Pacific as Pacific Air Forces marks 82 years of presence and support in the region

“The RAAF has been incredible,” said Fowler. “We are training in the nicest facilities and some of the freest airspace I have seen, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to work with them.”

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