Ex Hamel 2018 - RAAF Search and Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 32" Departs The Glen in Shoalwater Bay

On Tuesday 3 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 32" was noted overflying Rockhampton heading South following its deployment in support of the joint Military Exercise Hamel 2018.

VH-SYJ "Choppa 32" landing at Rockhampton Base Hospital during Ex Hamel 2018  (File photo)

It appears to have departed The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and was due to land at the Sunshine Coast but appears to have continued further to Redcliffe.

This concludes its very long deployment to the Rockhampton region after it arrived from RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria back in May.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 3 July (and then again on Wednesday 4 July), recently registered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 helicopter VH-IBF was noted flying in and around the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.  The Bell 407 is registered to Eagle Copters Leasing and operated by EPS Helicopter Services in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  VH-IBF has since been registered to Stirling Helicopters (as operator).

Photo taken by Gordon Clark  ©