Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 Completes Two Lots of Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus a Couple of Other ADF Helicopters on the Move!

On Wednesday 14 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 was spotted completing two separate lots of airwork at Bundaberg Airport.

During the morning, A30-006 flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Bundaberg Airport where it completed four missed approaches and low-level circuits.

It then returned direct to Williamtown.

Then during the afternoon, A30-006 again departed Williamtown and again flew up direct to Bundaberg Airport where this time if only completed one single missed approach.

It then flew South to complete more airwork at Tamworth before it then returned to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, a couple of Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters were noted ferrying through (almost in one case) parts of Central Queensland.

Australian Army marked Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-YBF was noted flying into Mackay Airport from Townsville as "Halo 236" before it then continued down to Gladstone Airport but as "Halo 232".  VH-YBF then continued to RAAF Base Amberley again as "Halo 232".

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 15 July, VH-YBF as "Halo 201" departed Amberley for Moree, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

UPDATE!  On Friday 16 July, VH-YBF continued to Melbourne (Essendon).

Of interest, VH-YBF popped into Bowen Airport on Monday 12 July, flying down from and abck to Townsville but as "Magic 237".

As mentioned previously, VH-YBF is registered to Helicorp (Toll Group) and is reportedly the first of three AW139 helicopters that has been leased to the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville.  They have been provided to the Army to provide a similar capability to the NH Industries MRH-90 so pilots can keep up their hours.

The Australian Army's MRH-90 helicopters have suffered years of poor serviceability due to various technical issues so AW139 helicopters are a 'stop gap' measure.

There are reports though that the AW139 could ultimately be used by the Australian Army as a general utility helicopter.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (SAR) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAB "Rescue 82" flew from Mount Isa to Cloncurry and Hughenden Airports. It had originally come from Darwin, departing there at the start of this week.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos and videos from Bundy!

Photos and videos taken by Peter Sajko, Hayden Matthew Alexander and 'JM'  ©