RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Sikorsky S-76A VH-HRP "Choppa 3" at Heads Back South via Mackay and Gladstone Airports

On Friday 30 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Sikorsky S-76A VH-HRP "Choppa 3" passed through Mackay and Gladstone Airports while heading South from Townsville to RAAF Base Amberley.

File photo taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

"Choppa 3" has been in Townsville during October where it supported  RAAF F/A-18 Hornets from Number 3 Squadron and PC-9 aircraft from Number 4 Squadron which have been participating in the RAAF's Exercise Black Dagger.

Exercise Black Dagger is a field training exercise that has been held at RAAF Base Townsville and surrounding airspace over the past couple of weeks.  Exercise Black Dagger is the culmination of Number 55 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course designed to produce combat-ready JTAC-qualified personnel.