On Thursday 4 July, the fifth and final US Army Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopter (17-03193) 73193 was photographed soon after arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Gladstone.
A little earlier, fellow AH-64E Apache helicopter (17-03197) 73197 was noted departing Rockhampton Airport heading to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
While US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter (90-)26292 was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport also for Shoalwater Bay.
It later returned to Rockhampton Airport and again took up a parking position bedside Runway 04/22.
As mentioned previously, five Boeing AH-64E Apache and eight Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were unloaded from a ship at the Gladstone Port during the last week. Their rotor blades were re-attached and test flights were conducted before they started flying up to Rockhampton Airport over the weekend.
Research reveals these 13 helicopters are of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, USA.
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 local plane spotters Kayanne H and Daniel B for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!
Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Daniel Bishop ©
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