Local photographer Steve V has been on hand at Rockhampton Airport at various times during this week and has captured some great photos as the RSAF helicopters took to the air.
Originally completing systems check and familiarisation flights earlier in the week, the RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters have started completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back, flying in pairs or threes during the afternoon and evening.
As also mentioned previously, all four Apache helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 120 Squadron "Kestrel" (also known as the "Red Hawks") based at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore. The Squadron is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service, first formed in 1969. The squadron goes by the motto of "Strive To Achieve".
And after deploying direct from their base at Oakey, the RSAF Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtro' Chinook helicopters also have been completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back in various flight formations. These flights also seem to occur from lunchtime through to the evening.
One flight of three returned from Shoalwater Bay and landed at 'Warriors Camp' near Rockhampton Airport suggesting that it will again be utilised as a helicopter landing area during Exercise Wallaby 2023.
It is also believed that two Chinooks have deployed to The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) to act as medical evacuation aircraft.
The Chinooks have been heard to be using their 'usual' radio callsign of "Celtic".
Also as mentioned previously, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.
The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
Finally, it is believed that some RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and a RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules are still to 'deploy' to and remain at Rockhampton Airport for part of the Exercise.
We've also seen that heavy jet troop charter flights have started with as many as 10 more flights expected to bring personnel and equipment in and out of Rockhampton Airport over the coming weeks. It is being reported that Royal Brunei Airlines and Garuda Indonesia will continue with these charters, with the odd Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines arrival thrown into the mix.
Exercise Wallaby first started in 1990 in Rockhampton and is a Singapore Army exercise based within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as well as at Rockhampton Airport. This year will reportedly see as many as 4000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel participate in the Exercise.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!
All photos taken by Steve Vit ©️
The Chinooks have been heard to be using their 'usual' radio callsign of "Celtic".
Also as mentioned previously, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.
The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
Finally, it is believed that some RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and a RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules are still to 'deploy' to and remain at Rockhampton Airport for part of the Exercise.
We've also seen that heavy jet troop charter flights have started with as many as 10 more flights expected to bring personnel and equipment in and out of Rockhampton Airport over the coming weeks. It is being reported that Royal Brunei Airlines and Garuda Indonesia will continue with these charters, with the odd Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines arrival thrown into the mix.
Exercise Wallaby first started in 1990 in Rockhampton and is a Singapore Army exercise based within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as well as at Rockhampton Airport. This year will reportedly see as many as 4000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel participate in the Exercise.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!
All photos taken by Steve Vit ©️
No comments:
Post a Comment