More US Army and US Navy Helicopter Action at and around Rockhampton Airport on Sunday

On Sunday 7 July, there was yet more helicopter action at and around Rockhampton Airport as several of the United States Army (US Army) Blackhawk and Apache helicopters took to the air once again, along with the two visiting United States Navy (US Navy) Seahawk helicopters.

Local plane spotter 'IAD' was at the right place at the right time to capture some great photos as three US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Blackhawk helicopters departed Rockhampton Airport for the Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  They were identified as (89-)26181, (90-)26292 and (90-)26283 all of the 1st Battalion 52nd Aviation Regiment and flew as "Dustoff 08 Flight".  It is believed that these three choppers did a similar flight yesterday.

Also heard departing to Shoalwater Bay from Rockhampton Airport was a pair of US Army Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters of the 1st Battalion 229th Aviation Regiment.  They were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Shark 6".

While a pair of US Army Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters - believed to be (13-)20592 and (12-)20539 - completed engine runs before being joined by the two United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopters - identified as 167833 / NF-611 and 167871 / NF-621 - all departed Rockhampton Airport for Shoalwater Bay flying as "Bigfoot 39 Flight".

The first time US Army and US Navy were noted flying a sortie together during this lead-up to joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19).

However, it appeared that the the two United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopters - 167833 / NF-611 and 167871 / NF-621 - returned to Rockhampton Airport and looked to complete more sorties as a pair to Shoalwater Bay and back.  As mentioned previously, the two Knighthawk helicopters are flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 (HSC-12) "Golden Falcons" and were heard to be flying as "Hunter 71 Flight".

Again on Sunday 7 July, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 168546 / RB-05 flying as "Knightrider 05" also popped into Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed back to the East, possibly to the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on which it is presently deployed.  The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) "Island Knights".

Later on Sunday 7 July, another pair of US Army Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters were heard to depart Rockhampton Airport for Shoalwater Bay as "Bigfoot 77 Flight" suggesting one of the two choppers to be (**-)20577.  The identity of the other is not known.

Finally, during the afternoon, it is believed that US Army Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter (**-)20646 flew North from Gladstone to Rockhampton Airport.  It's arrival now sees all 13 helicopters of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, USA, fly into Rockhampton Airport after their arrival at the Gladstone Port just over a week ago.

As mentioned previously, the UH-60M Blackhawks are of the 2nd Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment 'Warhawks', while the UH-60L Blackhawks are of the 1st Battalion 52nd Aviation Regiment.  The AH-64E Apaches are of the 1st Battalion 229th Aviation Regiment.  Altogether, they have formed Task Force 'Tigershark'.

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

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Anthony Schulz  ©