Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 - Monday and Tuesday at Rockhampton Airport

It's been a relatively quiet start to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 at Rockhampton Airport this week. Ben O has been at the Airport this week and provides a snapshot (or two!) of the action so far.

On Monday 11 July, most of the action was confined to the Australian Army helicopters that have been parked at Rockhampton Airport.

Eurocopter EC665 (ARH) Tiger and Sikorsky S70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters were noted flying sorties out of the Airport. One Blackhawk, A25-212, was photographed receiving some attention - note the full protective suit, while A25-203 was noted operating circuits around the airport from a temporary landing site on the other side of Rockhampton Airport.






Meanwhile, arriving into Rockhampton Airport during the afternoon was Australian Army Commonwealth CA-32 (Bell 206B/OH-58A) Kiowa helicopters, A17-028 and A17-032.



On Tuesday 12 July, there was yet again a lot of helicopter movements, but there was a couple interesting fixed wing movements during the day.


Australian Army Sikorsky S70A-9 Blackhawk A25-203 was again doing circuits around the Airport. This was later joined by Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Westland Sea King Mk.50A - serial N16-118 - also operating cicuits as "Shark 07".



There was also some winching practice performed by Blackhawk A25-112.


Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Beech B350 Super King Air A32-670 from 38 Squadron popped into Rockhampton Airport as "Dingo 30".


Meanwhile, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J, 167983 (Tail Code QD-983) of the VMGR-152 Unit arrived from and departed back to the North.