Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 - Wednesday's Highlights at Rockhampton Airport

With Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 starting in less than one week's time, it was a busy afternoon at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 6 July with both Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and United States Navy (USN) transport aircraft popping in for visits.

Firstly, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 arrived and departed as "Stallion 13". It is pictured arriving at Rockhampton Airport just after lunch.



Later in the day RAAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules A97-006 arrived and spent about five minutes on the ground before departing as "Trojan 08".



Lastly, USN Lockheed C-130T Hercules 165349 (Tail Code RU5349) of the VR-55 Unit, arrived and departed later to the North as "Convoy 7901".



Also on Wednesday, there were several interesting helicopter movements with...

Local choppers Bell 206 VH-OCA and Robinson R-44 VH-MTY both seen operating over nearby bushfires.



Stirling Helicopter Services of Theodore Robinson R-22 VH-XIB called into Rockhampton Airport for fuel before departing for its home town.


Late in the day, Careflight (Gold Coast) Bell 412 VH-XCO arrived at Rockhampton Airport as "Careflight 911".


The action on Rockhampton is clearly hotting up!!