United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168074 Surprise Visitor to Rockhampton Airport Sunday as "Sumo 95"

And yet another surprise visitor to Rockhampton Airport, this time later on Sunday 15 May, with United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168074 (Tail Code QD-8074) of the Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) arriving from Darwin as "Sumo 95".

This is the second USMC KC-130J Hercules to call into Rocky from Darwin after sister-ship 166763 (Tail Code QD-6763) called in last Thursday 12 May.  I'm told that it was due to call into Rocky again on Friday 13 May but appears to have gone unserviceable so the appearance of 168074 today was a nice surprise!

After unloading some personnel and several containers, 168074 departed back to Darwin again as "Sumo 95".

As speculated last week, these United States military movements into Rockhampton Airport suggests that must be some sort of military exercise being conducted (perhaps) in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  There has also been a noticeable increase in military vehicles around Rocky over the previous couple of weeks as well.  Watch this space!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Trevor H and Kayanne H who were on hand at Rockhampton Airport to capture this Sunday afternoon special!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©