Ex Hamel 2018 - A Pair of RAAF VIP 34 Squadron Transport Bizjets Pop into Rockhampton Airport

With reportedly the climax of the joint Military Exercise Hamel 2018 taking place over this weekend, on Saturday 23 June, there were again some helicopters, as well as a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) VIP 34 Squadron bizjet aircraft, that were spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.

During the early part of the morning, RAAF Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-003 "Consort 92" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Sydney.  It later departed to Canberra.

A little later, RAAF Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 "Regent 08" looked to fly into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.  It departed to Canberra after the sun went down.

And it's worth noting that RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 remained parked at Rockhampton Airport (see photo above) after arriving late Friday from RAAF Base Amberley as "Wallaby 03".  While RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 was noted departing Shoalwater Bay for Townsville as "Dingo 77" also on Saturday 23 June.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 June, there were more Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters that called into Rockhampton Airport.

In the morning, A40-041 "Kraken 12" flew into Rocky and back to Shoalwater Bay.

Then A40-008 "Kraken 11" looked to complete a tour around Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast before returning to Shoalwater Bay.

And A40-034 "Warhorse 11" visited Rockhampton Airport and departed to Shoalwater Bay.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©