During recent training in northern Australia, the Royal Australian Air Force operated an E-7A Wedgetail with an international crew comprising Royal Air Force, United States Air Force and United States Navy members, alongside Royal Australian Navy crew.
The 2 Squadron Wedgetail worked alongside 75 Squadron F-35A fighter jets, flying from Darwin to Kununurra.
The collaboration enabled the multinational crew to train together while the UK and US acquire their E-7 variants.
Northern Australia's vast airspace provided a unique opportunity to learn the capabilities of the airframe, as Flight Lieutenant James Mason, of the Royal Air Force, found.
"We just don't have space like this in Europe," Flight Lieutenant Mason said.
"We would certainly be in another country and in tightly controlled airspace after covering such distance as between Darwin and Kununurra.
"It is so special to see the outback stretch out under us. That said, the East Kimberley Regional Airport at Kununurra had one of the shortest runways I have landed on, so it was a fun juxtaposition."
Flight Lieutenant Mason is on exchange to 2 Squadron, where he has been working with colleagues from different countries and services.
"I moved to Australia for this exchange with my family and my youngest [son] has spent more time in Australia than in the UK - he sounds Australian now," he said.
By training together, the forces enhance their ability to operate seamlessly and cohesively to address threats.
The E-7A Wedgetail has long operated as a joint force enabler, with Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Samantha Horsfield embedded in 2 Squadron alongside Flight Lieutenant Mason.
"Working in a multinational, multi-discipline and multi-service team has been a career highlight," Lieutenant Horsfield said.
"We often have to try to determine if a turn of phrase is technical, service jargon or dialect - it can be pretty funny.
"Everyone at 2 Squadron is so welcoming though, and answers questions in a non-judgemental way, and without being condescending. It has helped to create an inclusive and productive work culture."
