Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-043 Pops into Rockhampton Airport off HMAS Canberra

During the middle part of the afternoon on Friday 15 June, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-043 was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.

The MRH-90 had earlier arrived from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Poseidon 43".

A40-043 was later spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for the Navy's Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship aptly named HMAS Canberra (III) which is now within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and is one of the centre-pieces for the upcoming joint Military Exercise Hamel 2018.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 15 June, as many as five Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters were noted departing Townsville Airport destined for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.  However, one landed at Mackay Airport for a short time to take on fuel before continuing South.

It looked to be identified as A38-013.

There are also unconfirmed reports that another Tiger ARH helicopter also called into Mackay Airport on Thursday 14 June.

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and 'AC'  ©