Exercise Hamel and Joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 Concludes and the Pack-up Starts!

As the Australian Army's Exercise Hamel and joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 wrap up, the various helicopters and aircraft that have been based at Rockhampton Airport are departing to their home bases, and all the equipment associated with basing the RAAF IAI Heron UAVs at Rockhampton Airport is being dismantled.

On Sunday 19 July, local plane spotter 'IAD' captured some photos at Rockhampton Airport showing that the two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters NZ3303 and NZ3304 are back currently awaiting shipping back to New Zealand.

Also the four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jet training aircraft are still parked on the Northern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron - although word around the Airport is that they may depart home to RAAF Base Williamtown on Monday 20 July.

Also on Sunday 19 July, yet another RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air called in from RAAF Base Amberley and departed to Townsville.  On this occasion, A32-675 was captured by local plane spotter Isaac M touching down as "Dingo 15".

Finally, on Sunday 19 July, the four Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters departed South to RAAF Base Amberley, via a fuel stop at Bundaberg Airport.  A25-213, A25-212, A25-108 and A25-214 all departed South using the "Redback" callsign with A25-214 using "Redback 87" rather than part of its serial as the others did.

Thanks guys!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Isaac Matthews  ©