Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (SAR) Bell 412EP Helicopter VH-VAB at Gladstone and Mackay Airports

Presumably flying North to Townsville in support of this weekend's T150 Defence Force Air Show and Open Day, on Wednesday 12 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (SAR) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAB was noted passing through Gladstone and Mackay Airports.  It had started the day at RAAF Base Amberley and is pictured below taking on fuel at Mackay.

VH-VAB had flown into Amberley from its usual home at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria on Tuesday 11 October via the Southcare Base Heliport in the A.C.T. and Tamworth.

VH-VAB is owned by Lloyd Helicopters and operated by CHC Helicopters Australia and spent many years operating as Victorian Air Ambulance Helimed 1 HEMS 2 based at the Latrobe Valley Airport in Traralgon, Victoria.  In Early 2016, it was retired as an air ambulance and its titles were replaced RAAF Rescue titles.  VH-VAB then moved to RAAF Base East Sale and has previously been noted travelling with The Roulettes when they display around Australia, replacing Sikorsky S-76A VH-LHN at East Sale.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©