Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Pair of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Bell CH-146 Griffon (412CF) Helicopters Call into CQ Airports Heading to Townsville

On Sunday 13 July, a nice surprise arrival into a couple of Central Queensland Airports as the joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) kicked off with a pair of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Bell CH-146 Griffon (412CF) helicopters spotted on the ground at both Gladstone and Mackay Airports.

They were identified as wearing serials 146460 and 146462.

They are 2 of 3 RCAF Bell CH-146 Griffon multi-role utility helicopters that are in Australia that are reportedly heading from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales to Townsville for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.  They are reportedly flown by the RCAF 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron

UPDATE!  A third RCAF Bell CH-146 Griffon multi-role utility helicopter serial 146486 (Code 31) flew up to Townsville from Archerfield  also via Gladstone and Mackay Airports on Tuesday 15 July.

Of interest, the three CH-146 Griffon multi-role utility helicopters were delivered to RAAF Base Richmond by a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III with serial 177701.  Also, a RCAF Airbus CC-330 Husky with serial 330004 was noted at both Sydney and Adelaide Airports dropping off personnel and equipment.

It is believed that the RCAF Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters are to form part of a Special Operations group of helicopters that will be based at Townsville for part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25).  It is expected that over the next couple of days, special operations helicopters from the US Army, Australian Army and The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will all pass through CQ Airports heading North.

Photos taken by Jamie C and Graham Kevin Jackson  ©