Ex Talisman Saber 2017 - Both United States Air Force (USAF) Special Operations Squadron Lockheed MC-130J Hercules Depart Rockhampton Airport

After being based at Rockhampton Airport during joint Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17), the two remaining United States Air Force (USAF) Special Operations Squadron Lockheed MC-130J Hercules transport aircraft were both noted departing for Guam on Friday 21 July.

File photo

In all there were three of the MC-130J aircraft that were deployed to Rocky and on Friday, 13-5775 was noted departing as "Spock 43" while 12-5761 was noted departing as "Spock 42".  The other USAF MC-130J that spent some time at Rockhampton Airport during TS17 was 13-5777.

All three Hercs completed several sorties from and back to Rockhampton Airport.  It is believed they also completed parachute drops of troops within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Designated as a MC-130J Commando II, all three Hercs are flown by the 17th Special Operations Squadron (17 SOS) which is part of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base in Japan.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©