United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 166763 "Sumo 55" Calls into Samuel Hill Airfield in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA)

A surprise visitor into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) on Friday 15 June was United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 166763.  It was noted arriving into the Samuel Hill Airfied within Shoalwater Bay from Darwin and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Sumo 55".

File photo

It later departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

The Herc (pictured above at Rockhampton Airport in 2016) is still believed to be flown by the Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) wearing Tail Code QD-6763.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 16 June, it appears that 166763 returned to Samuel Hill Airfield from Amberley again as "Sumo 55".  It was also later noted arriving into Darwin.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©