Friendly rivalry wasn't just limited to Northern Territory skies during Exercise Pitch Black 24, with four nations also facing off on the cricket pitch on July 26.
Australia, India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand took a break from high-end warfighting to face off in a T10 cricket tournament at Tiwi Oval in the suburbs of Darwin.
Designed to foster camaraderie between nations, the hotly anticipated match combined fierce competition with sportsmanship.
Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton coordinated the tournament with the support of Darwin-based aviators, including 13 Squadron and 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit.
"It's the first time we've coordinated a cricket tournament of this scale at this exercise, and the atmosphere on the day was fantastic," Squadron Leader Hamilton said.
"A friendly match was played between RAAF 1 Squadron and the Indian Air Force at Exercise Pitch Black 18, and we hope this tournament will become an enduring fixture."
The cricket tournament was not only a welcome break from intense training, but an opportunity to strengthen bonds between nations.
"The teams came with spectators, including a healthy-sized Royal Air Force (RAF) contingent, and a colourful live commentary from the Indian Air Force," Squadron Leader Hamilton said.
The RAF team finished 8 for 44 in the first match, with the Indian Air Force breaking a hat-trick to get the winning run of that match.
A lightning Indian delivery smashed one set of bails, with some RAF-supplied chewing gum and 3D-printed ingenuity by a RAAF aviator securing replacement bails for the afternoon's play.
A jovial second match saw the RAAF team post 1 for 99 against the New Zealand Defence Force players, who made 9 for 39 in reply.
For the grand final showdown, the Indian Air Force won the coin toss and sent the RAAF team in to bat.
"The RAAF team made 1 for 84, and India batsmen came out of the gates strong for their innings," Squadron Leader Hamilton said.
"RAAF bowlers then managed to keep the run rate down, leaving India with the task of chasing 23 runs from the final two overs.
"India closed the gap but finished their innings at 3 for 81, leaving the RAAF team as the tournament victors."
Squadron Leader Hamilton said the event set a high standard for future exercises, blending military precision with the spirit of sport, and will surely be remembered as a highlight of Pitch Black 24.
"The quality of a cricket high, and a great atmosphere meant players and spectators alike remained at Tiwi Oval for the entire day, long after their own team's matches finished," he said.
