Ex Hamel 2018 - RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-005 "Wallaby 05" Returns to Rockhampton Airport

During the afternoon on Tuesday 19 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 was noted flying into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley as "Wallaby 05".

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It is interesting to note that earlier in the day, A34-005 "Wallaby 05" was joined by fellow RAAF C-27J A34-009 as "Wallaby 09", along with Sytraders Pty Ltd Casa 212-400 turboprop VH-VHB as "Snowbird 4", which was completing parachute work for the Australian Army, operating low level down South-West of Warwick.

As we reported below, on Monday 18 June, a trio of Raytheon Australia / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjets touched down at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from their Nowra base in New South Wales.  On Tuesday 19 June, they all took to the air and completed airwork in Shoalwater Bay before eventually returning to Hervey Bay.

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It is believed that  Learjet 35A VH-ESM was again "Shadow 11" while fellow Learjet 35A VH-SLE and Learjet 36 VH-SLJ flew into formation as "Bosun".

Finally, RAAF Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-005 "Dragon 31" came up from RAAF Base Amberley and operated refuelling exercises within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area with Boeing EA-18G Growlers ("Wolf 11" and "Wolf 21") and RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets ("Colt").

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Ben May  ©