Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3307 "KIW278' Finally Departs Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 26 September, the other Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter that arrived into Rockhampton Airport last weekend departed to RAAF Base Amberley at the start of its mammoth journey back to New Zealand.

After arriving from Townsville last Saturday 20 September, NH90 NZ3307 suffered a technical problem and was unable to depart.  But following maintenance work, including the delivery of spares from an RNZAF Lockheed C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, NZ3307 was finally able to depart as 'KIW278' and join fellow No. 3 Squadron NH90 NZ3306 at Amberley.

Both helicopters then continued to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales - NZ3306 as 'KIW291' and NZ3307 as 'KIW278'.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend, both NH90s departed Coffs Harbour for Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island before continuing across the ditch back to New Zealand and land at RNZAF Base Auckland.

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

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7012 'KIW407' Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 24 September, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7012 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from 'KIW407'.

It flew across from RNZAF Base Auckland and RAAF Base Amberley and then departed to Townsville.

It also visited Townsville from RNZAF Base Auckland the previous day.

It is believed that the Kiwi Herc brought over spare parts to assist with fixing the broken RNZAF NH90 helicopter NZ3307 which arrived into Rockhampton Airport last weekend and seemed to suffer technical problems and was unable to depart.  

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3306 "KIW291' Departs Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 23 September, one of the two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters that arrived into Rockhampton Airport on the weekend departed to RAAF Base Amberley at the start of their mammoth journey back to New Zealand.

NH90 helicopter NZ3306 as 'KIW291' departed Rockhampton Airport for Amberley and left NZ3307 behind after it seemingly suffered a technical issue after arriving from Townsville on Saturday.

We shall wait and see what happens with the NH90 at Rocky after it has since been towed around to park outside the massive Alliance Airlines hangar as shown.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopters NZ3306 & NZ3307 Arrive into Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 20 September, a pair of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306 & NZ3307 arrived into Rockhampton Airport.

They were flying as "Warrior Black" and flew down from Townsville.

Later, it seemed that NZ3307 encountered a technical problem and remained parked at Rockhampton Airport.

The other NH90 NZ3306 departed Rockhampton Airport for South as "Warrior 06" but soon turned back and landed again at Rockhampton Airport.

Both NH90 helicopters have been in Australia for some time, arriving with a third NH90 NZ3303, all for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.  NZ3306 and NZ3307 have been parked at Townsville and recently completed a massive over-water deployment flying from Cairns to Papua New Guinea to participate in the PNG's 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations.

The RNZAF No. 3 Squadron NH90 helicopters then returned to Cairns (pictured) and flew down to Townsville before heading down to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the next week or so, and after receiving maintenance attention, both NH90s eventually departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley and then a flight back to New Zealand via Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.  A massive deployment! 

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3306 Out and Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3306 departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.  It was heard to use the radio callsign of "Warrior 06".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 July, the RNZAF NH90 helicopter NZ3306 "Warrior 06" returned to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane but it called into Gladstone Airport for fuel.  The NH90 then continued up to Townsville.  It was photographed above and below at Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 July, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 42" departed Rockhampton Airport for Longreach Airport before then flying down to Roma Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" came from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and flew a few training approaches at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned to the Bay.

Finally, late on Tuesday 29 July, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 "Wallaby 70" and A34-008 "Wallaby 75" completed airwork around Taroom while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Sincere thanks to Gladstone plane spotters Jamie C and Glenn L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Glenn Lloyd  ©

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  ©

Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' Spectacular Overfly of Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 12 July, Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft serial 54+14 as 'GAF61' flew up the Queensland coast low level from RAAF Base Amberley then turned and flew up the Fitzroy River to over the top of Rockhampton Airport where it complete a spectacular low pass over the Airport.

The massive Luftwaffe transport plane then departed the area and continued onwards to Townsville at low level. Quite spectacular!

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 12 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3303 as "Warrior 03" was spotted flying around the Whitsundays area on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Of interest, another two RNZAF NH90 helicopters NZ3306 and NZ3307 are also currently deployed to Townsville.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman 11" then A15-309 as "Stockman 12" departed Rockhampton Airport to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and returned separately late in the afternoon.

And the United States Navy (USN) Boeing P-8A Poseidon with serial number 169567 as "Shiner 21" flew up to and area off the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Ash Burggraff  ©

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian Army Exercise Sea Raider - More Amphibious Beach Landing and More Helicopter Action Around Bowen

Over the first week of July 2023, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducted Exercise Sea Raider across the coast of North Queensland.  

After completing Exercise Sea Explorer 2023, and a short stay at Townsville, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship HMAS Adelaide (III) (L01), along with the Bay-class landing ship HMAS Choules (L100), have again been in waters off Bowen. They have been the launching points for various amphibious landing exercises on the Bowen foreshore, as well as multiple helicopter insertions of personnel and equipment into the Bowen township.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters have been spotted completing operations along with Bowen foreshore.  Chinooks A15-306, A15-308 and A15-310 have been photographed embarked on the HMAS Adelaide and completing several flights into the Bowen township.

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft have also been seen landing on the deck of the HMAS Adelaide during the Exercise.

On Thursday 6 July, the airborne action was highlighted by two of the suspected three deployed Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters which flew down from and back to Townsville.  The two NH90s were identified as NZ3301 and NZ3303 and flew together as “Warrior Black”.

The RNZAF has eight NH90 helicopters in its fleet, which are operated by No. 3 Squadron and have been in full service since 2015.  It’s thought that three NH90s were flown over from New Zealand to Townsville on board a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster which completed three return flights between RNZAF Base Ohakea to Townsville Airport.

Exercise Sea Raider certified the Amphibious Ready Unit and saw the Australian Amphibious Force train closely with the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Choules, as well as a beach landing force comprising of infantry, armoured vehicles, artillery, aviation and logistic elements optimised for amphibious raids and assaults. The Sea Series of exercises enhances joint interoperability of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious capabilities.

The Sea Series of exercises enhances joint interoperability of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious capabilities.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter James K for capturing these great photos from Bowen!

Photos taken by James Kirk  ©

Additional photos from Defence Images...