Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-002 Calls into Rockhampton Airport

During the late afternoon on Monday 14 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-002 was photographed by local plane spotter Kayanne H as it was on short finals to Runway 33 at Rockhampton Airport.

The KC-30A flew up from RAAF Base Amberley and parked for a short time with its engines running on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron where it was believed to also undertake a crew change.

A39-002 then taxied out and departed back to Amberley.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Dragon 31" for both flights.

Meanwhile, the now resident RAAF Pilatus PC-9/A Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft A23-020 and A23-022 completed their first 'sortie' out of Rockhampton Airport and into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) on Monday 14 May as a part of the joint military exercise now underway in the area.  They were heard to use the radio callsign of "Reaper" as they departed and then later returned to Rockhampton Airport.

Sincere thanks to Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©