RAAF Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-005 "Dragon 17" Surprise Arrival at Rockhampton Airport Friday Night

A surprise arrival into Rockhampton Airport after the sun went down on Friday 18 November with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-005 touching down from RAAF Base Amberley as "Dragon 17".

Local plane spotters 'IAD' and Kayanne H popped out to Rockhampton Airport to find the KC-30A parked on Taxiway 'Juliette' and seemingly completing a crew swap inside the aircraft.

In fact, its visit was completely unknown with reports the Air Traffic Control Tower berated the pilots of the KC-30A stating the (Rockhampton Regional) Council were not aware of any such landing on Friday night.

A short time later, A39-005 departed back to Amberley.

Meanwhile, a little earlier today on Saturday 19 November, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 43" was noted completing the overfly of Gayndah Aerodrome at their renaming commemorations.

Sincere thanks 'IAD' and Kayanne H for taking to capture and send through these great photos of what is definitely a tough plane to photograph at night!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Kayanne Hardsman  ©