Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013: United States Air Force (USAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130 Hercules Action at Rockhampton Airport Thursday Night

Under the cover of darkness, no less than four Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were spotted at Rockhampton Airport late on Thursday 25 July.  Some of the Hercs were noted conducting various training drills including touch-and-go arrivals and missed approaches onto Runway 15 at Rockhampton.

File photo taken by 'IAD' ©

It is believed that three of the Hercs were of the United States Air Force (USAF).  The USAF Hercs - which are operated by various Special Operations Squadrons - have been spotted at various times at Rockhampton over the duration of Exercise Talisman Saber 2013.

It is believed that the other aircraft was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-442.  The RAAF Herc was heard to be using the radio callsign "Trojan 42".

File photo

Despite being unable to capture any of the action on film, reports suggest that local plane spotters certainly enjoyed the 'show' put on by these lovely big aircraft!