The Three Visiting Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 Jets Depart Rockhampton Airport After Ex Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19)

On Thursday 25 July, the three visiting Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jet training aircraft were noted departing Rockhampton Airport for good, following the completion of joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19). They looked to fly 'home' direct to RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle in New South Wales.

As mentioned previously, the three Hawks that deployed to Rocky were identified as A27-18, A27-22 and A27-13.  They had arrived into Rockhampton Airport just under two weeks ago and completed 1-2 daily flights in pairs during the Exercise, mostly flying as "Cougar".  On departure back to Williamtown, the three Hawks were heard to use the one radio callsign of "Bobcat".

As mentioned previously, the three Hawks are flown by No. 76 Flight Training Squadron, part of No. 78 Wing, out of RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales.

The squadron is organised into two flights. Training Flight provides introductory fighter training to pilots who have been trained to operate jet aircraft by No. 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia. After completing this course the pilots are posted to either No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit to be converted to F/A-18A aircraft or No. 6 Squadron to learn to fly F/A-18F Super Hornets. Operations Flight provides close air support training for the Army and fleet support training for the Navy.

File photos taken by Steve Vit  ©