New Zealand medics strengthen international interoperability at Exercise Pitch Black

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) medics are strengthening relationships with international partners while sharing medical knowledge during Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest multinational air exercises.

07 August, 2026

Although the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medical team is primarily responsible for supporting its own personnel during the exercise, the multinational environment has provided valuable opportunities to work alongside medical teams from Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and other partner nations.

Leading Aviator Tan Lin, from the NZDF Contingent Medical Team, said the experience had highlighted the importance of building interoperability before it is needed on operations.

“It’s been a great experience so far in Australia. Our Australian contingent is super accommodating and we’re getting some of that interoperability in.”

Having served in the RNZAF for four years, Leading Aviator Lin’s role normally focuses on primary healthcare and supporting field exercises. Exercise Pitch Black is his first overseas deployment.

While differences in clinical credentialling mean the New Zealand team primarily treats NZDF personnel, they continue to work closely with partner nations throughout the exercise.

“We’ve been more than privileged to work with the other nations, such as the Germans, the Royal Air Force and the Australians.”

Leading Aviator Lin said multinational exercises provide an important opportunity for military medical teams to understand how each nation delivers healthcare in operational environments.

“Understanding each other’s medical capabilities, scope of practice and the equipment we use can help us when we transition from patient to patient, especially when we’re trying to do aeromedical evacuations.”

Exercise Pitch Black brings together personnel from 21 nations and more than 100 aircraft to train in complex multinational air operations across Northern Australia. Alongside the flying programme, NZDF support personnel from 10 trades, including medics work together to develop the relationships and procedures that enable coalition forces to operate seamlessly.

For Leading Aviator Lin, the deployment has reinforced the value of international collaboration.

“I had a blast. It’s actually been amazing. I would love to come back again.”