Ex Talisman Saber 2017 - Photos of Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARP) Exercise at Rockhampton Airport

An interesting capability of the Australian Defence Force was captured by local plane spotters at Rockhampton Airport late on Sunday 16 July as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J Hercules provided fuel of a pair of Australian Army Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopters in a Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARP) Exercise.  This is certainly something that hasn't previously been seen during the joint Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17).

RAAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-441 taxied to position on Taxiway ‘Juliette’ at Rocky as “Mambo 17” (it had earlier arrived from RAAF Base Richmond as "Trojan 06") and was joined by Australian Army Sikorsky S-70-A Blackhawk helicopters A25-203 and A25-110 which flew as “Nemesis”.  Onlookers report that both Blackhawks were supplied with fuel before they departed.

Certainly an interesting part of the Exercise and we sincerely thank the Rocky Plane Spotters for taking the time capture and send through these very interesting photos!

All photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©