Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) - The Final U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II STOVL Stealth Fighter Jet 169618 (DT-07) Departs Rockhampton Airport - Plus Another Osprey - And More!

On Thursday 27 July, the final U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II STOVL Stealth Fighter Jet that visited Rockhampton Airport yesterday and stayed the night with a technical problem, finally departed back to the the United States Navy (USN) Ship USS America (LHA-6).

The F-35B was identified as 169618 (DT-07) and spent Wednesday night parked on the new apron outside the Alliance Airlines hangar where it received some attention from Marines aircraft engineers during the night.

Then on Thursday, 169618 (DT-07) made a spectacular late afternoon departure from Rockhampton Airport as "Duke54".

Earlier, fellow U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft 168665 (EP-11) also called into Rockhampton Airport, again flying in from the USS America. It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Bowser 32" and looked unload ground staff.

It later departed Rockhampton Airport back to the ship which seems to be in waters off Mackay.

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

Photos taken by Steve Vit, Anne Oberhofer and Scott Harris  ©