Ex Talisman Saber 2017 – And a Pair of RAAF KC-30A MRTT Transport Aircraft Also pop into Rockhampton Airport - A39-003 & A39-001

It turned out to be a busy day at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 22 July with a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft also calling in.

First to arrive (a little unexpectedly!) was A39-003 which touched down from RAAF Base Amberley as “Dragon 21”.

After being loaded with personnel and their bags, it departed to Perth.

Then later in the afternoon, fellow KC-30A A39-001 touched down at Rocky also from Amberley but as “Dragon 30”.

It too was loaded with personnel and their bags but departed a little while later to Darwin.

Both Airbus KC-30A aircraft are two of five that are flown by No. 33 Squadron - the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) strategic transport and air-to-air refuelling squadron - based at RAAF Base Amberley.  During 2018, the RAAF will take delivery of two more KC-30As with the airframes ex-Qantas A330-200 passenger jets which are to be converted by Airbus Defence and Space at Getafe in Spain.

Sincere thanks to 'IAD', Daniel B and Russell P for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD', Daniel Bishop and Russell Prothero  ©