Fantastic Photos from Rockhampton Airport Friday and Saturday - A Pair of RAAF C-17 Globemasters and More!

Rockhampton Airport continues to play host to some fantastic military transport and troop charter aircraft, as the build up continues to three Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercises that are about to start in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

On Friday 8 June, Qantas Boeing B747-400 VH-OJD arrived into Rockhampton Airport yet again.  The jumbo arrived from Darwin, and after about an hour, departed back to the top end.

Also spotted at Rockhampton on Friday was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-442.

On Saturday 9 June, Qantas B747-400 VH-OJD made its final visit, again arriving back from Darwin.  After unloading, it departed to Sydney, and was noted flying near Brisbane as 45000 feet!!

There were also a pair of RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft that popped into Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 9 June.

The first - A41-207 - arrived shortly after the B747, and as shown, it was certainly a unique sight to have two large aircraft parked on the Rockhampton Airport apron.  A41-207 was believed to have departed to Richmond Air Force Base near Sydney, and was using the callsign "Ausy 506".

Much later in the day - and as the clouds were closing in - RAAF C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 arrived as "Stallion 35".

A41-210 is the RAAF's latest Globemaster, and it certainly looked very impressive as it was parked up on the Rockhampton Airport apron for the night.

One last movement on Saturday 9 June that is certainly noteworthy was the departure to Shoalwater Bay of Careflight Bell 412 VH-XCF.  The rescue chopper - and one of its sisterships - VH-XCO - have both been noted in and around Rockhampton Airport and are believed to be providing rescue and retrieval services in conjunction with exercises in the Bay.

Many thanks to the Rockhampton Airport Plane Spotters for their photos and information - looks like great spotting days are on the way!!