Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 - United States Army (US Army) Boeing MH-47G Chinook Special Operations Helicopter 07-03771 "Thunder 11" Spotted at Gladstone Airport

During the late afternoon on Thursday 27 July, United States Army (US Army) Boeing MH-47G Chinook Special Operations Helicopter 07-03771 was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport.  

The Chinook was heard to be flying as "Thunder 11" and looked to arrive from the North - possibly from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - from where it had previously been operating.

The Chinook then flew to the Gold Coast and onwards to RAAF Base Richmond.

This is one of two MH-47G Chinooks that are flown by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), or 'Night Stalkers', that have been deployed to Australia to participate in joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23).

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), abbreviated as 160th SOAR (A), is a special operations force of the United States Army that provides helicopter aviation support for special operations forces. Its missions have included attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and these missions are usually conducted at night, at high speeds, low altitudes, and on short notice.

Nicknamed the 'Night Stalkers' and called 'Task Force Brown' within the JSOC, the 160th SOAR(A) is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The Boeing MH-47G is a special operations variant of the CH-47 Chinook multi-role, heavy-lift helicopter. It is in service with the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOC).

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Emily C for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of such a rare visitor to the region!

All photos taken by Emily C  ©