Ex Talisman Saber 2017 - Some More Great Photos of RAAF, USAF and RNZAF Hercules Transport Aircraft Operating in and out of Rockhampton Airport

Yet again over the course of Monday 10 July and Tuesday 11 July, the Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17) numerous Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were heard flying into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from the South before some were spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules NZ7005 was back again at Rockhampton Airport on Monday.  On Tuesday 11 July, it was spotted returning to Rocky after completing a flight to Mackay Airport.  It again was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Kiwi 10".

Meanwhile, all three United States Air Force (USAF) Special Operations Squadron Lockheed MC-130J Hercules aircraft - which have interestingly changed their radio callsigns - 13-5777 now "Spock 41", 12-5761 still "Spock 42" and 13-5775 now "Spock 43" - were all heard flying into Rockhampton Airport at various times on Monday.

As shown above, 13-5777 was spotted departing to Guam while it appeared that 12-5761 and 13-5775 remained at Rocky.  It seemed that 13-5775 arrived into Rockhampton from RAAF Base Amberley after completing a flight using a RAAF callsign - see below!

Finally, yet more Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft were noted both completing parachute drops into Shoalwater Bay as well as continuing transport flights into Rockhampton Airport.  On Monday A97-465 "Archer 20" was joined (interestingly) by USAF MC-130J 13-5775 as "Archer 21" were noted flying together, while on RAAF Herc A97-441 "Mambo 21" was heard to be flying into Shoalwater Bay.  On Tuesday, A97-441 was back at Shoalwater Bay and called into Rockhampton Airport as "Mambo 17".

Photos taken by Daniel Bishop and Scott Harris  ©