New RAAF Super King Air A32-988 Does Airwork at CQ Airports & Lands at Mackay Airport - Plus RAAF C-130J Hercules A97-441 Back at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 20 June, new Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprop A32-988 was noted completing airwork at some Central Queensland Airports before landing at Mackay Airport for a short time.  It is believed that this is the first time that A32-988 has been noted (but not seen) in CQ!

File photo

A32-988 was flying as "Torch 29" and initially departed the Sunshine Coast and was noted completing airwork around Gladstone and Rockhampton before it flew onward to land at Mackay Airport.  After a couple of hours on the ground, A32-988 then departed for the North and completed airwork around Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before returning South and finishing the day back at the Sunshine Coast.

The Super King Air is flown by the RAAF's 32 Squadron and flew up from its home at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria via Port Macquarie earlier in the week.  It is one of four new Super King Airs that have leased from Hawker Pacific for operations with 32 Squadron.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 20 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-441 was noted back at Rockhampton Airport.  It again looked to arrive from the North-West (possibly RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine) and later departed to RAAF Base Richmond.  It was again heard to be using the radio callsign of "Trojan 70".

Finally, also on Thursday 20 June, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (SAR) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAB "Rescue 82" was noted completing a medical evacuation flight from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) to the Rockhampton Base Hospital heli-pad.  VH-VAB "Rescue 82" appears to be operating from 'Camp Growl' within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).