RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 42" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

Also on Thursday 15 July, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYJ was spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport while heading to Townsville.

 

VH-SYJ arrived into Rocky from RAAF Base Amberley and was heard to use the radio callsign of "Choppa 42".

The Agusta operates for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in a Search and Rescue (SAR) role by CHC Helicopters / Lloyd Helicopters.

It appears that VH-SYJ is ferrying to Townsville where it will participate in the joint military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21) in a support role for the deployed RAAF fast jets.

Of interest, also on Thursday 15 July, four RAAF British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets as "Cheetah" and "Puma" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Townsville.  While three RAAF Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft as "Reaper" also flew into Townsville from Williamtown.

It is also expected that RAAF McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet jets will also arrive into Townsville for Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©