Ex Talisman Saber 2017 - And a Pair of RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster Transport Aircraft Around Rockhampton and Shoalwater Bay

On Thursday 27 July, the 'pack-up' after the conclusion of joint Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17) continued in CQ with a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft noted passing through Rockhampton Airport and Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

File photo

A41-210 "Stallion 25" was heard to depart RAAF Base Amberley and flew and low-level up an inland route to Rocky where it landed at Rockhampton Airport for a short period of time.  It was later heard to depart to Darwin.

While A41-213 "Stallion 24" was heard to arrive into Williamson Airfield from the North-West.  It too later departed to Darwin.

A41-213 was also heard departing Williamson for Darwin earlier in the week on Tuesday 25 July.  I suspect it may be transporting Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters back to the 'Top End' which are operated by the Army's 1st Aviation Regiment based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

UPDATE!  A41-213 "Stallion 24" was again heard in the area on Friday 28 July, once again arriving into Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) this time from the North-West.  It later departed to RAAF Base Amberley via overhead Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©