Local plane spotters 'IAD' and Ben O enjoyed a great day's plane spotting at Rockhampton Airport on Friday 12 July, as preparations for Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 stepped up with yet more big transport aircraft arriving, as well as numerous Australian Army Sikorsky Blackhawk and Bell Kiowa helicopters.
By the end of the day, seven Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk Helicopters had landed at Rockhampton Airport. A25-225 is shown below arriving as "Spartan 225".
Most of the other Blackhawks were heard to be using the "Spartan" callsign as well, with one flight if three using the callsign of "Spartan Black".
Meanwhile, as many as eight Australian Army Commonwealth CA-32 (Bell 206B/OH-58A) Kiowa helicopters have been spotted near Rockhampton Airport.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-206 called in during the day.
The massive transport aircraft was seen to be carrying troops and equipment for the Exercise - rumours are that the C-17 is being used this time rather than commercial airliners. A41-206 later departed to Darwin as "Stallion 31".
Before he left Rockhampton Airport on Friday 12 July, 'IAD' managed to photograph two of the visiting United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk helicopters as they departed on a sortie to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
The two Seahawks - which are flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85) "Firehawks" - were believed to be 165118 / NW-310 and 165257 / NW-311.
Later in the afternoon, Ben O popped out to Rockhampton Airport after work and captured the two Seahawks as they returned to Rockhampton Airport.
Ben then captured some fantastic images of United States Navy (USN) C-130T Hercules - serial number 165350 - code RU-350 - as it touched down as "Convoy 3784".
Sincere thanks to 'IAD' and Ben for sending through these lovely photos!
As I arrived into Rockhampton later in the evening, I spotted another RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III and another USN Lockheed C-130T Hercules parked at Rockhampton Airport. It's certainly getting busy!
Photos taken by 'IAD' and Ben O'Dowd ©
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