On Wednesday 31 July, there was certainly a feast of lovely aircraft at Rockhampton Airport for local plane enthusiasts to watch and enjoy, and local plane spotter Kayanne H was at the right place at the right time and sends through some absolutely fantastic photos from the day, including more photos of the three USMC Ospreys that called in.
The three United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived into Rockhampton Airport together flying as as "Dragon 01". The Ospreys were noted to be: 168028 / EP-07, 168031 / EP-08, and 168219 / EP-02.
The three Ospreys touched down on Runway 15 at Rockhampton Airport, and while they waited for their passengers, parked on the Western end of Runway 04/22.
As the Ospreys waited patiently, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 touched down at Rockhampton from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales as "Reach 6 Echo 1".
This USAF C-17 reportedly landed at Rockhampton Airport possibly with spare parts to allow its broken-down 'stable-mate' 90-0533 to be moved to another part of Rockhampton Airport.
It was also reported that 05-5146 was due to depart Rockhampton for Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, later in the afternoon, in lieu of the cancelled "Trek 516" flight from Monday night.
Meanwhile, with the C-17 landed, Kayanne managed to capture some spectacular images as the USMC Ospreys lifted off from Rockhampton Airport for the short hop across to "Camp Rocky".
However, they all quickly returned back to Rockhampton Airport, reportedly for fuel and to collect passengers, before they eventually departed - as a flight of two and then one - 'to sea'.
But the day wasn't over at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 31 July, with United States Navy (USN) Lockheed C-130T Hercules - serial 165314 - coded JW5314 - of the VR-62 Fleet Logistic Unit captured by Kayanne departing for Townsville as "Convoy 7862".
And finally, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J, 168066 (Tail Code QD-8066) of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) arrived from Townsville as "Sumo 58".
What a spectacular day of plane spotting from Rockhampton Airport! My sincere thanks to Kayanne for capturing and sending through such fantastic photos!
And to think that Talisman Saber 2013 is all but over!
All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman ©
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