Exercise Wallaby 2018 - Four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47D Chinook Helicopters Arrive into Rockhampton Airport

With the Singapore Armed Force's Military Exercise Wallaby 2018 expected to officially kick off later this week, on Tuesday 18 September, four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters were photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport, flying direct from their new base at Oakey.

The CH-47D Chinook helicopters were identified wearing the serial numbers 88181, 88182, 88183 and 88188, which are four of five which deployed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in June this year following a deployment in the United States of America (USA).

The four Chinook helicopters flew into Rockhampton Airport in formation as "Cyclops".

It is also believed that this is the first time these or any of the RSAF CH-47D model Chinook helicopters have visited Rockhampton and CQ to participate in Exercise Wallaby with CH-47SD ('Super D') model Chinook helicopters usually being transported down to Rocky for the exercise on board an Antonov AN-124.

Of interest, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.

Meanwhile, it appears that four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters are ready to fly after they arrived on board the Volga-Dnepr Antonov AN-124 late last week.  The four Apaches have been noted flying out and back from Rockhampton Airport in pairs at different times on Monday 17 September and were heard using the familiar radio callsigns of "Atom" and "Astro".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Trevor H and Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©