More Fantastic Photos from Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday - USMC Ospreys & Hercules Plus USAF C-17s

On Wednesday 31 July, there was certainly a feast of lovely aircraft at Rockhampton Airport for local plane enthusiasts to watch and enjoy, and local plane spotter Kayanne H was at the right place at the right time and sends through some absolutely fantastic photos from the day, including more photos of the three USMC Ospreys that called in.

The three United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived into Rockhampton Airport together flying as as "Dragon 01".  The Ospreys were noted to be:  168028 / EP-07, 168031 / EP-08, and 168219 / EP-02.

The three Ospreys touched down on Runway 15 at Rockhampton Airport, and while they waited for their passengers, parked on the Western end of Runway 04/22.

As the Ospreys waited patiently, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 touched down at Rockhampton from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales as "Reach 6 Echo 1".

This USAF C-17 reportedly landed at Rockhampton Airport possibly with spare parts to allow its broken-down 'stable-mate' 90-0533 to be moved to another part of Rockhampton Airport.

It was also reported that 05-5146 was due to depart Rockhampton for Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, later in the afternoon, in lieu of the cancelled "Trek 516" flight from Monday night.

Meanwhile, with the C-17 landed, Kayanne managed to capture some spectacular images as the USMC Ospreys lifted off from Rockhampton Airport for the short hop across to "Camp Rocky".

However, they all quickly returned back to Rockhampton Airport, reportedly for fuel and to collect passengers, before they eventually departed - as a flight of two and then one - 'to sea'.

But the day wasn't over at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 31 July, with United States Navy (USN) Lockheed C-130T Hercules - serial 165314 - coded JW5314 - of the VR-62 Fleet Logistic Unit captured by Kayanne departing for Townsville as "Convoy 7862". 

And finally, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J, 168066 (Tail Code QD-8066) of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) arrived from Townsville as "Sumo 58".

What a spectacular day of plane spotting from Rockhampton Airport!  My sincere thanks to Kayanne for capturing and sending through such fantastic photos!  

And to think that Talisman Saber 2013 is all but over!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013: United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Ospreys Make Another Appearance at Rockhampton Airport Wednesday

In what was a very pleasant for local aircraft enthusiasts - and the general public alike - three United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, popped into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 31 July.

And local plane spotter Don W was at Rockhampton Airport at the right time during his lunch break and he managed to capture some spectacular images of the mighty aircraft as they came into land around 1pm.  The three Ospeys that touched down were :

168219 / EP-02

168028 / EP-07

168031 / EP-08

The three Ospreys were flying together and were heard to be using the radio callsign "Dragon 01".

A great day and some great aircraft!  Many thanks to Don for sending through these fantastic photos!

All photos taken by Don Williams  ©

Another Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) VIP 34 Squadron Visitor at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-700(BBJ) A36-002 of the VIP 34 Squadron in Canberra touched down at Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne on Wednesday 31 July as "Envoy 99".

Local plane spotter Travis W was at Rockhampton Airport and captured a couple of images of the BBJ, despite it being parked in an unusual position as a result of the (still) broken down USAF C-17 parked on Gate 6.

Meanwhile, 'IAD' has sent through two more images of the RAAF Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-003 that popped into Rockhampton Airport from Gladstone on Tuesday 30 July.

Some great images!  Thanks guys!

Photos taken by Travis Whiting and 'IAD'  ©

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet A37-003 Pops into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-003 of the VIP 34 Squadron in Canberra was spotted by local plane spotters Don W and Ben O at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 July.

It is believed that the Challenger arrived from Gladstone - where it had overnighted after arriving from Canberra on Monday 29 July.  A37-003 departed Rockhampton for parts unknown.

Meanwhile, Don W captured an interesting image of the temporary maintenance 'tent' beside Rockhampton Airport's Runway 04/22 being dismantled.  It was erected by the Australian Army for servicing their helicopters during Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013.

Thanks Don and Ben for these great captures!

Photos taken by Don Williams and Ben O'Dowd  ©

Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013: A Broken Down USAF C-17 and US Navy & USMC Helicopters and More at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday

Reports and now these photos suggest that United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft - 90-0533 - which touched down at Rockhampton Airport late Sunday 28 July, has gone unserviceable and failed to depart as planned late on Monday 29 July. 

Local plane spotters Ben O and Don W ventured to Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 July and captured more wonderful images (in less than perfect conditions mind you) of the massive C-17 parked on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron.

There are rumours around Rockhampton Airport that the broken down C-17 will have parts come in to Rockhampton in another USAF C-17.  When 90-0533 departs, there are reports that a USAF Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - the largest military transport aircraft in the USAF fleet - will touch down at Rockhampton to transport the four United State Navy (USN) Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawks out of the beef capital.

Incidentally, 'sister-aircraft', C-17 05-5152 departed Rockhampton Airport for Hickam Air Force Base at Honolulu, Hawaii late on Monday 29 July as "Trek 515".

While Ben was at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 July, he photographed three of the four USN Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawks - which are flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85) "Firehawks", which is a United States Navy Reserve helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California.  As his photos show, they have been 'packed up' and are ready for transport.

165259 / NW-303

165257 / NW-311

163785 / NW-312

And what turned out to be a great surprise for Ben was the arrival of fellow US Navy Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk 164464 (Coded 'TH-55') of the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 Squadron (HSL-37) "Easyriders".

It was noted arriving from sea, and later (presumably) departing back to sea using the unique radio callsign of "Easyrider 55".

Also captured by Ben, but visiting "Camp Rocky" near Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 July, was United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons".  With the tail code of 'EP-22', a well known online military serial database has this chopper as '161388'.

So as shown above, despite Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 coming to a conclusion, there are still plenty of interesting aircraft flying around Central Queensland skies.  It's also worth mentioning that the 'resident' United States Navy (USN) Grumman C-2A Greyhounds - 162152 / NF-32 and 162175 / NF-33 - which are flown by the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VRC-30 Detachment 5) - are still parked at Rockhampton Airport despite the USS George Washington docking in Brisbane this week.

My sincere thanks to Ben and Don for sending through their fantastic photos from Rockhampton Airport - your coverage of Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 - and continuing support of the CQ Plane Spotting Blog is really appreciated!

Photos taken by Ben O'Dowd and Don Williams  ©