Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025 Strengthens RAAF–RTAF Ties

More than 500 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have gathered in Thailand to take part in Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025, a major bilateral air combat training activity running until 19 September.

Hosted primarily at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, the exercise marks the 15th iteration since its establishment in 1992 and continues to strengthen the longstanding defence partnership between Australia and Thailand.

This year’s training focuses on:

• Dissimilar air combat training (DACT)

• Large force employment scenarios

• Close air support (CAS) of ground forces

• Enhancing cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the two Air Forces.

Aircraft participating in the exercise include:

• RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets from No. 1 Squadron

• Personnel from RAAF No. 4 Squadron

• RTAF F-16 Fighting Falcons

• RTAF JAS-39 Gripen fighters

Wing Commander Trent Baldry, Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, highlighted the significance of the exercise:

“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. Defence engagements like this 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.”

Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025 reaffirms the close military cooperation between Australia and Thailand, ensuring both nations remain ready to respond effectively to regional challenges through joint training and defence collaboration.

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