Monday, July 8, 2019

Multiple USMC MV-22B Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Pop into 'Camp Rocky' near Rockhampton Airport - Plus a Surprise Visit by a USMC CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter!

It was certainly a busy day on Monday 8 July at 'Camp Rocky' - the Australian Army Defence Support Unit (DSU) camp adjacent to Rockhampton Airport - multiple visits by  United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, plus a surprise visit by one of the mighty USMC Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters.


Local plane spotters Scott H and 'IAD' were on hand at various times of the day to capture some photos as three Ospreys looked to visit Camp Rocky 2-3 times each during the day.  The three Ospreys were identified as 168660 / EP-11 "Hacksaw 11", 168610 / EP-04 "Hacksaw 12" and 168??? / EP-10 "Hacksaw 13".


















As mentioned previously, the Ospreys are flown by the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.


Meanwhile, during the middle part of the morning, a single United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was photographed from a distance as it too visited Camp Rocky.



It is believed that the Super Stallion was 161262 / YJ-02 with it also heard to be using the radio callsign of "Bigshow 21".

The Super Stallion is reportedly of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463) "Pegasus".  The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).


The Ospreys and Super Stallions are deployed on board the United States Navy ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) which is believed to be currently sailing within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) where it will be participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19).

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris and 'IAD'  ©

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