TWO FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) Turboprops VH-OTE & VH-NTL Both Pop into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 25 March, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown) as PE95.

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Soon after, fellow FlyPelican Jetstream 32 turboprop VH-NTL also arrived into Emerald Airport as PE745 on the 'usual' Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.

VH-NTL later returned to Wellcamp and Archerfield as PE746 and then returned to Emerald Airport again on Thursday 26 March operating today's FIFO charter flight over the same route as PE743/4

While also on Thursday 26 March, VH-OTE departed Emerald Airport and returned to Williamtown again as PE95.

And Cirrus SR22 N312GM visited Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Plus Helicom AU P/L Bell 206L-4 helicopter VH-SHA landed at Gladstone Airport from Caloundra and then departed to Mackay Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©️

QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4G First Visit of Type to Rockhampton Airport BUT on a Diversion from Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 15 January, poor weather over the Whitsundays saw QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4G operating as QLK1592 from Brisbane to Hamilton Island Airport unable to land at Hamo and divert into Rockhampton Airport.

This is the first time that an Airbus A220 has landed at Rockhampton Airport.

After taking on fuel, the A220 was unable to continue to Hamilton Island and instead re-positioned back to Brisbane as QLK7801. 

And a little later, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YIQ as VOZ1283 from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport was also unable to land up there and also diverted into Rockhampton Airport.

VH-YIQ departed Rocky and was able to land at Hamilton Island Airport before it then returned down to Sydney as VOZ1282.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 15 January, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 16 January, VH-XCU departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon and then Moorabbin.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS looked to depart Hamilton Island Airport for Mackay Airport and then down to Cessnock.

Late in the day, Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

While FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-ACV completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also completed a similar flight late on Wednesday 14 January.

And LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Rescue 599" departed Mackay Airport for Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.  It had flown up last Saturday 10 January.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 Helicopters VH-ESH & VH-EGK Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 8 January, a pair of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopters were spotted at Emerald Airport. VH-EGK flew down from Townsville and then onwards to Archerfield, while VH-ESH arrived from Archerfield and departed to Townsville.

A bit unusual to see both stopped at Emerald Airport at the same time.

While FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTD was also spotted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield via Toowoomba-Wellcamp as PE743/4.  It also visited late on Wednesday 7 January on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter run over the same route but as PE745/6.

Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Richmond and then Mount Isa. 

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 11" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Plus Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 121" landed at Boulia from Cairns. 

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet N605JL Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 December, Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport and then West to Ayers Rock and then down to Brisbane.

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UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 December, N605JL again as "Machflight 01" returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane before again flying out to Ayres Rock.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 December, N605JL yet again as "Machflight 01" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Adelaide and Kingscote to Charleville Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It then hopped to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Ayers Rock and then across to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 26 December, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp. It is also due to visit Emerald Airport again from these places on Saturday 27 December.

The rare National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH visited Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and departed to Brisbane.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run yet again to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI, which was flying up from Gold Coast to Lady Elliott Island, was just to the South of there when they activated their Emergency Beacon, which was immediately heard by a passing Jetstar plane.  They also called a "Mayday" as their Engine Fire light came on. They assessed there was no actual trouble and continued to and landed safely at Lady Elliott Island.

UPDATE!  VH-TQI remained on Lady Elliott Island until Friday 2 December when it finally departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH Spotted Making First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH was spotted making what we believe was its first ever visit to Central Queensland visiting Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as JTE358/9.

It looked to fly across from Adelaide into Brisbane via Prominent Hill on Friday 19 December.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL flew down from Emerald Airport to Toowoomba-Wellcamp as PE746.  It had arrived the previous day from Archerfield as PE606.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH was spotted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 December, re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island from the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon) before returning to the Sunny Coast later.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport after flying down to Brisbane last week - as posted below! It then flew back down to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby.

Finally, also on Wednesday 24 December, Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQI departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) Bizjet N968FA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 November, Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N968FA flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport. It had arrived into the Sunny Coast the previous day from Melbourne.

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Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then to the Gold Coast. It then flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then back down to Archerfield and Essendon.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew down from Brisbane to Moree then up to Emerald Airport and then further North.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then Cairns.

Southern Airlines Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-LCE was noted completing aerial survey flights out of and back to Gladstone Airport after arriving there from Archerfield earlier in the week.

UPDATE!  Over the next weekend, VH-LCE moved its operations to Bundaberg Airport where it continued to operate local aerial survey flights.

While Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN visited Hamilton Island Airport on what seemed to be a charter flight from and back to Brisbane as UTY550/1.

And FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was noted on the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run between Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Emerald Airport both today and last night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 313" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 16 October, Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 313" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Townsville.  During the afternoon, it reversed the flight. 

While Brescon Beech B300 Super King Air VH-WXS visited Dysart Aerodrome from Archerfield.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTD was noted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield via Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also visited late on Wednesday 15 October on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter run.

And after flying South in June, Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ9 flew back up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport via Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 16 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Archerfield. 

While Air AP / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-AP7 departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane before then heading over the Queenstown in New Zealand and then flying to Melbourne (Essendon).  It had arrived into Hamo from Adelaide at the start of the week.

And Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport, the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  It had flown out to Emerald Airport from Orange via the Sunny Coast and Bundy on Tuesday 14 October (we missed it!).

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 14 August, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane. (It also looked to complete a local test flight on Monday 4 August.)

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 20 August, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ departed Blackall Airport for Dalby.  It then looked to keep flying down into New South Wales and Victoria.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 421" landed at Blackall Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also Thursday 14 August, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-ACV completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also completed a similar flight Late on Wednesday 13 August.

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Scone (NSW) based Textron Aviation B200GT King Air VH-8PO departed Emerald Airport for Scone.

And finally, a few aircraft landed at Longreach Airport including NSW based Piper Cherokees VH-CNP and VH-JPL along with Cessna 172 VH-NYK which arrived into Rockhampton Airport together from Sunshine Coast and then headed West to Longreach Airport.

Also NSW based Cessna 182 VH-MJB together with more Piper Cherokees VH-IJD, VH-JDC and VH-NFR plus Piper Seminole VH-PIE all landed at Longreach Airport from Birdsville. 

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Flight of SIX Australian Army and RNZAF Helicopters as "Chainsaw Combined" Arrives at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 July, a massive flight of SIX military helicopters flying as "Chainsaw Combined" were photographed making a spectacular arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

They were identified as Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306, NZ3303 & NZ3307.

Plus Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters A15-301, A15-306 & A15-310.

All six helicopters parked on the crossing Runway 04/22 at Rockhampton Airport.

While Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjet VH-LRH as "Blackjack 11" completed a flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

A third Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A VH-LRX also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from HMAS Albatross at Nowra as 'AJAX19'.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-01 and A27-23 - completed only one afternoon sortie out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

The two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transport aircraft wearing serials 130617 and 130606 flew down from Townsville as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt" into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area before later returning North.

Finally, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 as 'SHAKA11' was noted on radar climbing out of the Middlemount area.  It is believed to be based at RAAF Base Amberley along with a few other USAF C-17s which are also based there and at other places like Cairns, Townsville and Darwin.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Scott Harris  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 17 July, Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' flew up from RAAF Base Amberley low level with a loop at a beach near Bundaberg and one near Calliope before landing at Rockhampton Airport. It then departed to Townsville.

Like the previous day, two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

Similarly, two Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets also completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport but as "Blackjack".  Looks like they went up as far as Mackay today.

And LifeFlight Australia (Eagle Copters Leasing) Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-XGB as "Guardian 20" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Many Photos from Rockhampton Airport incl BOTH RCAF CC-130J Hercs 130617 and 130606 - RAAF BAe Hawk 127 Jets Start Sorties - As do Air Affairs LearJets!

On Wednesday 16 July, not one, but BOTH Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transports that have deployed to Australia wearing serials 130617 and 130606 called into Rockhampton Airport as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt". 

They arrived from RAAF Base Richmond via a position near Charters Towers and a bit later departed to Townsville. 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-467 as "Kongo 03" visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Townsville.

Late on Tuesday 15 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 59" departed Rockhampton Airport for Melbourne (Avalon) and Canberra.  It had arrived late on Monday.  

Fellow Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 36" departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin early on Wednesday.  As mentioned below, it had arrived on Monday 14 July.

While two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-23 and A27-08 - completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

Similarly, the two Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets VH-LRH and VH-SLE also completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport but as "Blackjack".

A pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinooks as "Stockman" went out from Rockhampton Airport to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and then back into the nearby DSU and out again. 

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62".

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was noted operating in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and had arrived there from Townsville yesterday. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 16 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and was spotted completing a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before it then returned South.

And RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 77" landed at Longreach Airport from Canberra via Alice Springs.  It then departed back to Canberra via a missed approach at Charleville Airport.

Photo taken by Scott Harris, Darren Massie and Jaymee C  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) Kicks off in Spectacular Fashion in CQ - HIMARS Launch in Shoalwater Bay - Aust & US Aircraft and Helicopters at Rockhampton Airport

Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25), officially commenced over the weekend following an opening ceremony on board the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide.   

Now in its 11th iteration, TS25 is the largest and most sophisticated warfighting exercise ever conducted in Australia.

Over the next three weeks, more than 35,000 military personnel from Australia and partnering nations will deploy across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and Christmas Island. For the first time, activities will also be conducted outside of Australia in Papua New Guinea.

In addition to the United States, forces from Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom will join as partners.

Malaysia and Vietnam will also attend as observers.

This year’s exercise will consist of live-fire exercises and field training activities, incorporating force preparation activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, and air combat and maritime operations.

And on Monday 14 July, Australian Army soldiers, joined by U.S. Army artillerymen, fired their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for the first time, marking a significant upgrade to Australia’s long-range strike capabilities.

The HIMARS launch was the highlight of Monday’s live-fire event at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), which also featured M777 howitzers from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian Army and South Korean tanks and self-propelled artillery.  F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters flew overhead during the event as AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck" played over loudspeakers.

Officers and other dignitaries and politicians were transported into Rockhampton Airport from Sydney (and Canberra) on board Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 01" and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 36".

They were then transported to the Bay on board two Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters as "Stockman".  

They returned to the Australian Army District Support Unit (DSU) compound nearby to Rockhampton Airport before heading back out to the Bay and then back late to Rockhampton Airport.

While also arriving into Rockhampton Airport and staying on deployment was three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets as 'PUMA51' which arrived from RAAF Base Williamtown.

They were identified as A27-01, A27-08,  and A27-23

And possibly as part of the deployment of the Hawks, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYZ as "Choppa 41" arrived into Rockhampton Airport yesterday and today completed a local flight.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 14 July, two formations of highly modified helicopters operated by the elite United States Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) passed through Rockhampton Airport, heading up to Townsville where multiple Special Operations helicopters will be deployed during the Exercise.

The first formation consisted of three Sikorsky MH-60M Blackhawks callsign "BOUNTY HUNTER 11" - which also passed through Mackay Airport - then following behind later this afternoon was a formation of two Boeing MH-47G Chinooks (19-02928 & 19-02929) callsign "THUNDER 21". 

They were also spotted arriving into Townsville.

A contingent of four new Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters operated by 6 Aviation Regiment were spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport also heading to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.  A60-007 and A60-008 as "Justice" passed through first followed later by A60-002 and A60-011 as "Prophet".

Plus two The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters also passed through Rockhampton Airport also heading up to Townsville.  They were identified as 86000 and 86000 and arrived together as "Celtic" before departing separately as "Celtic" and "Cyclops".

All these helicopters join the two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters that arrived yesterday.

And United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62".

Finally, also on Monday 14 July, some other movements in association with Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 included Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 45" which had flown up from RAAF Base Amberley with other aircraft for a parachute drop, landed at Rockhampton Airport following the drop and then returned to Amberley.

Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) CASA CN-235-200M '105' (Code 62-1G) as "COTAM1161" completed low-level operations in an area out to sea North of Mackay after flying up from RAAF Base Amberley.

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon NZ4801 as 'EVRST73' was noted operating out of Townsville.

While Australian Army Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack (company name Integrator), unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) have been see on online flight tracking sites flying in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  They have been noted as A61-007 (7CFB0C) as HYDRA07 and today A61-003 (7CFB08) as SPYRO03 and A61-006 (7CFB0B ) as SPYRO06.

And the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft serial 54+14 as 'GAF61' was due to visit Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

Finally, also on Monday 14 July, maybe not associated with the Exercise was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 03" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and another at Emerald Airport before then returning to Williamtown.

 

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in preparing this post!

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman, Steve Vit and Glenn Lloyd  ©