United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 167926 "Sumo 97" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A busy afternoon at Rockhampton Airport on Friday 26 July started with United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 167926 (Tail Code QD-7926) calling in.  It looked to arrive from Townsville and RAAF Base Amberley and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Sumo 97".

After a short time on the ground, the KC-130J was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for Darwin.

Of interest, fellow USMC KC-130J Hercules 169532 (Tail Code QD-9532) was noted flying from Townsville to Amberley also on Friday 26 July but as "Sumo 96".

UPDATE!  169532 / QD-9532 "Sumo 96" looked to return to Townsville from Amberley on Saturday 27 July.

Both Hercs deployed to Townsville during joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19) and are flown by the Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) the "Sumos".

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©