Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) Kicks Off with Live Fire Demo at Shoalwater Bay - RAAF KC-30A (MRTT) A39-001 & Australian Army Chinook Helicopters A15-301 & A15-308 at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 22 July, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) kicked off in spectacular fashion with a live fire demonstration held in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  At Rockhampton Airport, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 07" touched down from Sydney presumably with VIPs and media for the event.

The KC-30A taxied in and parked on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron.

Soon after, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters A15-301 and A15-308, flying together as "Chainsaw" parked on nearby taxiway Juliette to transport the passengers up to Shoalwater Bay.

The RAAF KC-30A A39-001 "Dragon 07" departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley, but returned later in the day, completing a touch-and-go approach before landing and again parking.  

It then departed to Townsville.

The Chinooks also returned to Rockhampton Airport from Shoalwater Bay before heading back to the North.

Meanwhile, also at Rockhampton Airport, also on Saturday 22 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 called into Rockhampton Airport as "Stallion 12" flying up directly from RAAF Base Amberley.

It later departed Rockhampton Airport for Sydney.

Finally, up at Shoalwater Bay, seven nations participated in a live-fire activity at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area as part of the largest ever iteration of Exercise Talisman Sabre in terms of geographic spread and number of participating nations.

​The live-fire activity was conducted by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and personnel from the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with support from personnel from France, Germany and New Zealand.

The live-fire activity included the following strike capabilities:

A United States High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The Australian Government is proceeding with its intention, announced in January 2023, to acquire the HIMARS system.

The Republic of Korea’s K-9 self-propelled howitzers.  A K239 Chunmoo self-propelled Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) will also be test-fired during the course of Talisman Sabre.

Australian and United States M-777A2 towed artillery systems.

A range of United States air capabilities including the: F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, AC-130 gunship, UH-1 Viper and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

The live-fire activity is one aspect of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 which also includes amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvre, air combat and maritime operations and logistics activities. This year more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

Exercise Talisman Sabre commenced yesterday with an opening ceremony on-board HMAS Canberra in Sydney.  The Exercise will run until Friday 4 August.

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

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Additional photos from Defence Images...