RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 42" Pops into CQ Airports Heading to Amberley

On Sunday 26 September, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYJ was noted passing through passing through a couple of Central Queensland Airports while heading from the Northern Territory to RAAF Base Amberley.

File photo

After flying across from Darwin to Mount Isa via RAAF Base Tindal and Tennant Creek the previous day. VH-SYJ then passed through Longreach and Roma Airports before it continued to Amberley.

VH-SYJ was heard to use the radio callsign of "Choppa 42".

The Agusta operates for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in a Search and Rescue (SAR) role by CHC Helicopters / Lloyd Helicopters.

It appears that VH-SYJ is ferrying to Amberley following deployments to Townsville (for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021) and then Darwin and Tindal in a support role for the deployed RAAF fast jets.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©