Also Spotted at Mackay Airport - USMC MV-22B Ospreys of VMM-363 - USAF AC-130J Ghostrider gunship Hercules "Jakal 92" Back Again!

Also spotted at Mackay Airport, but early on Sunday 30 July, were the three United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft of VMM-363 'Lucky Red Lions' which arrived the previous evening following an Exercise at Lakeside Airpark.

As shown, the three Ospreys were identified as 168687 (YZ-13) "Dumptruck 11", 168686 (YZ-11) "Dumptruck 12" and 168234 (YZ-03) "Dumptruck 13".

These Ospreys are a part of the latest Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) and have deployed from the top end to RAAF Base Scherger in Far North Queensland for the Joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23).

They all later made a spectacular departure to the North again as "Dumptruck 11-13".

Meanwhile, also spotted at Mackay Airport, also early on Sunday 30 July, was United States Air Force (USAF) Lockheed AC-130J Ghostrider gunship Hercules aircraft 18-5891 "Jackal 92" which looked to return overnight following more flying over the search area where the missing Australian Army MRH-90 helicopter "Bushman 83" went down on Friday evening.

The Herc later departed Mackay Airport and flew down to RAAF Base Richmond where it has been deployed to for TS23.

Sincere thanks again to the local plane spotters for allowing to share these great photos!

Photos and video taken by Peter Jackson, David Sayles and 'JM'  ©