Yet More Spectacular Photos as a Pair of United States Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22B Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft Make another Nighttime Visit to Rockhampton

On Tuesday 28 May, another pair of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft completed two more visits into the Australian Army District Support Unit (DSU) compound nearby to Rockhampton Airport.  The two Ospreys that visited Rockhampton on these two occasions were identified as 168032 / YZ-09 and 168285 / YZ-13.

During the first visit in the late morning, both Ospreys looked to fly down to Rocky direct from Townsville before landing in the DSU and taking on fuel.  168032 / YZ-09 was noted flying as "Skytrain 14" while 168285 / YZ-13 was "Skytrain 15". 

After the refuel, both Ospreys returned to Townsville via airwork around the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

During the afternoon, Osprey 168032 / YZ-09 now flying as "Skytrain 16" again arrived into the DSU direct from Townsville before it was spotted departing to Shoalwater Bay.

Around sunset, it was then joined by 168285 / YZ-13 now as "Skytrain 17", and both Ospreys landed at the DSU once again to take on fuel.

Both Ospreys then made a spectacular after-dark departure back to Townsville.

The Ospreys are of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) ‘Lucky Red Lions’ which have been deployed to Darwin recently as a part of the 8th Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D).  Several MV-22B Ospreys, along with Bell  UH/AH-1 helicopters, arrived in Darwin via ship before being flown the short distance to RAAF Base Darwin.

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

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Daniel Bishop  ©