Australian Army MRH-90 Helicopter A40-023 Passes Through Rockhampton Airport as "Warhorse 13"

On Thursday 26 October, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-023 was photographed by local plane spotter Kayanne H as it was on approach to Rockhampton Airport after flying up from Oakey as “Warhorse 13”.

After taking on fuel, A40-023 departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.

Of interest, the "Warhorse" callsign is used by B Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment of the Australian Army based at Townsville.  Until recently, the "Warhorse" callsign had been used by Townsville-based Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters until their transfer to the 6th Aviation Regiment in Sydney.

Meanwhile in other Rockhampton helicopter news, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP VH-VAU returned to Rockhampton Airport from the north last Friday 20 October.  It has been flying around the tip of Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait based at Horn Island operating for the local emergency helicopter service as “Rescue 700”. It ferried into Rockhampton from Cairns via Townsville and Mackay Airports.

VH-VAU then returned to Mackay Airport on Saturday 21 October and looked to operate for the locally-based Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter Service (CQ Rescue) completing med-evac flights to Proserpine.

UPDATE!  VH-VAU has returned to Rockhampton Airport once again on Saturday 28 October.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 29 October, VH-VAU was noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport for the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) as "Rescue 300".  Meanwhile the 'usual' CHRS (Babcock) chopper, Bell 412EP VH-EPR, flew south to Memorial Park at Gladstone for the CHRS Gladstone Community Open Day.

Thanks Kayanne!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©