Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A search and rescue mission in the region on Saturday 27 June saw Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND pop into Rockhampton Airport for a short time during the late afternoon.  It was noted flying as "Rescue 660" and had come down from Cairns to coordinate the search which appeared to be off the coast South of Gladstone.

After refuelling, VH-XND "Rescue 660" is pictured departing Rockhampton Airport for the search zone.  It eventually returned to Cairns.

Of interest, three helicopters that were noted also participating in the search and rescue mission included LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCY as "Rescue 522" and a pair of McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters N38MD and N365JL.  All three choppers looked to stage out of Bundaberg Airport.

UPDATE!  VH-XND "Rescue 660" was back on the search on Tuesday 30 June, along with VH-XCY "Rescue 522".

Finally, also on Saturday 27 June, it appeared that Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" was inbound to Rockhampton Airport at the completion of a sortie.

UPDATE!  VH-ZZC was noted parked at Rockhampton Airport late on Sunday 28 June.

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

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©