QGAir Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-EZJ "Rescue 500" Ferries North via Gladstone and Proserpine Airports

On Monday 26 March, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ was spotted ferrying North from Archerfield via Gladstone and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports to Townsville.

VH-EZJ was heard using the radio callsign of "Rescue 500" - the usual callsign of the Archerfield-based QGAir Rescue helicopter that flys missions around the South-East corner of the state.

I presume it has ferried to Far North Queensland to provide support and to help with the rescue efforts that could be needed when Tropical Cyclone Nora makes landfall.

Currently, fellow QGAir Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopters VH-ESZ and VH-ESH remain based at Cairns and Townsville respectively, while QGAir Rescue Bell 412 helicopters VH-ESB and VH-ESD have also been noted operating around the Townsville and Cairns areas respectively over the last few days.

All photos taken by Col B  ©