Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 "Tester 33" Noted Around Fraser Island and Possible Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 as "Tester 33" was noted completing low level operations over Fraser Island and possibly completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to complete the flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-009 (Code 909) was also noted flying around Fraser Island. It was noted to be flying as "TIGR09".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 "Mitchel 07" Noted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchel 07" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a low overshoot Rockhampton Airport before then flying back to Williamtown.

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Also this week, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters have been noted flying out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre heading North and landing occasionally at Kingaroy Aerodrome including N52-105 as "Warhorse 31".

Defence Image...

We have also noticed N52-103 as "Juno 75" and N52-102 as "Juno 76".

The Australian Army has a fleet of five H135 'Juno' training helicopters which were re-assembly at HMAS Albatross. The helicopters were re-assembled by Boeing Defence Australia before being relocated to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey to support essential training for Army aircrew. The addition of these five helicopters will address a critical requirement to meet the training and proficiency needs of Army’s aircrew while the UH-60M Black Hawk is introduced.

Finally, an unknown Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter as "Brahman 379" was seen flying down near Bowen while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Busy Saturday at Rockhampton Airport including Multiple USAF C-17 Globemaster Transports Visiting

On Saturday 19 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 as "Valour 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley then flew out to the North East over water and back.  It then returned to Amberley.

Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A VH-SLD as 'AJAX14' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Kununurra. 

While Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from its ship.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman" departed to Townsville. 

RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to the Gold Coast and Ballina. 

Finally, late on Saturday 19 July, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 09-9206 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin.

It later departed to Cairns.

Also noted at Rockhampton Airport was USAF C-17 09-9208 as 'LAVA93'.

USAF C-17 05-5150 as Lava 91 flew down from Darwin to Amberley.  It may have also possibly visited Rockhampton Airport after dark.

And USAF C17 05-5146 as 'LAVA97' flew East from Townsville and at low-level around the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by Darren Massie and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) 130617 as CNUK61 Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus Much More!

On Tuesday 15 July, it was a bit quieter around the region as Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) continued.

At Rockhampton Airport, the star arrival was Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) 130617 as CNUK61 from RAAF Base Richmond via Macrossan Airfield near Townsville. It later departed back South.

Of interest, it is one of two RCAF CC-130Js that have deployed to RAAF Base Richmond. The other is serial 130606. Both of these first-time visitors are of the RCAF 436 Transport Squadron from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-467 also visited from Townsville but as KNGO02.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 59" arrived late on Monday 14 July from Canberra, Melbourne (Avalon) and Brisbane and was spotted still on the ground at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday along with fellow Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 36" which also arrived earlier on Monday.

And Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets VH-LRH 'AJAX52' and VH-SLE 'AJAX42' both arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Nowra.   

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 15 July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-009 (Code 909) was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport. It was heard to be flying as "TIGR09".

Transiting the region was RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 which flew from Newcastle (Williamtown) to Townsville via Ballina, Bundaberg and Mackay Airports.

Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as ‘RSCU902’ departed Shoalwater Bay and returned to Oakey.

A pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters as "Stockman" flew out of Rockhampton Airport to the Bay and returned later.

And the third and final Royal Canadian Air Force Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter joined the other two at Townsville after flying up from Archerfield via Gladstone and Mackay Airports - as posted below.

Finally, late in the afternoon, also on Tuesday 15 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 46" flew out from RAAF Base Amberley to fly low level between Biggenden and Thangool before climbing again and returning to Amberley.

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Graham Kevin Jackson  ©

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

It then departed to Townsville.

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was also photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport but from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It too then departed to Townsville.

And Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-309 as "Stockman 11" was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) before returning later in the day.

In the afternoon, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 57" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Townsville and a bit later departed to Canberra.

Late morning, United States Navy (USN) Boeing P-8A Poseidon with serial number 169567 was heard to be flying as "Shiner 11", arrived into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area from RAAF Base Amberley where it is currently deployed.  After completing some airwork in the Bay area, it departed back to Amberley.

As shown, the Poseidon also has an AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS).

And late in the day United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 170275 (Tail Code QB-0275) as "Sumo 97" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Richard Ennis  ©

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk 167854 / RB-11 of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) DET-6 'Archangels' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62"

On Saturday 5 July, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62".  It arrived from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and later departed back to there.

The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25) DET-6 "Archangels" and is presently deployed on board USS America (LHA-6). It is also reported that the "Archangels" squadron is based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 5 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a position North West of Rockhampton where it picked up a flight of four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft.

The F-35s are assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and they departed from the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). They flew across to Darwin with the RAAF MRTT as 'TYR51' / "Tier 51" and joined two other F-35B's from VMFA-242 which arrived from Japan during last week.

Finally, also on Saturday 5 July,  Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-013 (Code 913) was visited Bundaberg Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Tiger 13".

UPDATE!   On Sunday 6 July, N48-013 'TIGR13' was noted at Hamilton Island Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Additional images from the US Department of Defense

Search for Trans-Pacific Rower Stranded in Seas Whipped up by Cyclone Alfred Brings AMSA Challenger 604 VH-XNF "Rescue 550" to Rockhampton Airport Plus ADF Support

Across the weekend, a search was launched for Lithuanian national Aurimas Mockus who is in a row-boat, some 740km off the coast of Mackay.  He was attempting to cross the ocean between San Diego and Brisbane, but reportedly ran into trouble on Friday night in massive seas being whipped up Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Consequently, on Saturday 1 March, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF as "Rescue 550" flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Rockhampton Airport before embarking on a near-6-hour search mission.  It then landed back at Rockhampton Airport and departed back to Essendon on Sunday 2 March.

UPDATE!  VH-XNF "Resue 550" returned to the region, again landing at Rockhampton Airport, in the wee small hours of Monday 3 March as the rescue looked to take place.

Also landing at Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 2 March, was fellow AMSA Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" which flew down from Cairns and also patrolled the search area.  It later returned to Cairns but looks to be due to return to Rockhampton Airport on Monday 3 March.

Finally, during the evening on Saturday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-009 as "Rescue 251" flew up from RAAF Base Edinburgh to the search area before it then landed at Townsville - after an 8+ hour flight.

It looked to return to Edinburgh on Sunday 2 March.

Finally, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) amphibious Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD) ship HMAS Choules has set sail from Brisbane to the search area in an effort to rescue the stranded the rower.

UPDATE!  On Monday 3 March, sailors from HMAS Choules completed the rescue!  Good news!

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Additional Images from Defence...

A Pair of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' Helicopters N48-002 & N48-003 Pop into Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 11 December, a pair Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopters were photographed passing through Rockhampton Airport.  They were identified as N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" and N48-003 (Code 903) as "Tiger 03".

Both helicopters looked to fly down from Townsville and then depart to RAAF Base Amberley.

It is believed that the RAN 816 Squadron Seahawks had disembarked the Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock's (LHD) HMAS Adelaide (L01) which is in port at Townsville.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 Calls into Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 2 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It was heard to be flying as "Dragon 50" and flew down from Darwin where it looked to arrive a couple of days prior.

After completing some unloading and re-loading, the KC-30A then departed to Brisbane.

We suspect it may have brought in some personnel and equipment to the area to participate in a joint military Exercise Trident in the following couple of weeks where Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will participate alongside their Singapore Armed Forces compatriots within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Photos taken by Steve Vit and John Lee  ©