The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have commenced Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025.
Wing Commander Trent Baldry, Commanding Officer No. 1 Squadron, has emphasised the importance of Exercise Thai Boomerang.
“Exercise Thai Boomerang is a valuable opportunity to learn from one another through combined air combat training. The profiles and scenarios are from across the spectrum of combat air power,” Wing Commander Baldry said.
More than 500 participants from both air forces are participating in the exercise. This year’s exercise, which will run until 19 September, is the 15th iteration of the bilateral activity.
“Defence engagements, like Exercise Thai Boomerang, foster friendship and rapport between RAAF and RTAF aviators at all levels. We look forward to training side by side, as we have done for many years," Wing Commander Baldry stated.
The exercise will provide an opportunity to build upon the rich history and deep defence partnership between Australia and Thailand since 1992.
Primarily run out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, it is hoped Exercise Thai Boomerang will enhance the cooperation and interoperability between Australia and Thailand’s Air Forces.
This year’s exercise will focus on dissimilar air combat training and scenarios in large force employment, and close air support of ground forces in a non-confrontational training environment. In previous years, it has focused on fighter jet exercises.
The exercise involves F/A-18F Super Hornets from RAAF’s No. 1 Squadron and personnel from No. 4 Squadron working with RTAF F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS-39 Gripen aircraft.
At the previous Thai Boomerang in 2023, only 120 personnel and six aircraft were deployed from the RAAF.
Last month, Saab had secured a Gripen E/F order for Thailand through the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), which was for four of the fighter aircraft.