Exercise Wallaby 2023 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transports '731' and '735' Arrive into Rockhampton Airport

As predicted below, on Thursday 14 September, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '731' and '735' were both spotted as they arrived into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as "SAF6343 Combined".

Prior to landing, the Herc '731' flew as SAF6343, while '735' flew as SAF6344.

As mentioned below, they had arrived into Darwin from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore late the previous day.

They appear to have also brought equipment and personnel for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Exercise Wallaby 2023 which is currently underway in the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

They also join fellow RSAF C-130H Hercules '733' which arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 13 September as SAF6342 also from Paya Lebar via Darwin.

So, at the time of writing, there are three RSAF C-130H Hercules transports on the ground at Rockhampton Airport all at once!

Of interest, the Hercs are part of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron 'Condors' based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

Meanwhile, as shown in some of these photos, the arrestor cable has been put in place across the main Runway 15/33 at Rockhampton airport on preparation for the RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16D Block 52 Version Fighting Falcon jets, which are due (rumoured) to be arriving mid-next week.  They will be flying in company with an Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aerial refuelling aircraft (which will be based at RAAF Base Amberley). 

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 plane spotter John L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ VH-VER (ex N331AG) First Visit to CQ at Theodore Aerodrome

On Wednesday 13 September, a surprise arrival into the region, and making its first ever visit, was Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VER, which flew up from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to land at Theordore Aerodrome on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight.

VH-VER at Sydney just last weekend

It later returned to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane and resumed normal operations for the airline by flying from Brisbane down to Tamworth.

Since the SAAB was delivered to Link Airways, it has primarily been operating on regional Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) routes in New South Wales and Victoria.  The airline also operates some flights on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

Of interest, VH-VER previously operated in the USA with Mesaba Airlines for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines as N430XJ, but most recently, it flew with Florida-based Silver Airways as N331AG.  It was flown into Australia with that American registration marking in February 2022 and was 'stored' at Goulburn until May 2022 when it was then delivered to Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) as VH-VER. 

N430XJ in 2017  (File photo)

N331AG in 2020  (File photo)

VH-VER was one of three most recently acquired SAAB 340s, and as far as we are aware, the other two which were acquired about this time - VH-VEA and VH-VEQ - are still yet to make an appearance in Central Queensland.

Of interest, also on Wednesday 13 September, fellow Link Airways SAAB 340B VH-VEC flew into Mackay Airport from Townsville and Horn Island before then flying down to Brisbane.  VH-VEC had flown up to Townsville from Brisbane the previous day.

 

Photos taken by Tom Murray-Smith, Tom Turner and Travis Piatek  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2023 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '733' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 13 September, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '733' was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as 'SAF6342'

While it appears that the Herc has brought equipment and personnel for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Exercise Wallaby 2023 which is currently underway in the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), it is also possible that it may have deployed to Rockhampton Airport to also participate in the Exercise.

UPDATE!  The RSAF C-130H '733' is still at Rockhampton Airport!

Of interest, another two RSAF C-130H Hercules transport aircraft - '731' and '735' - arrived into Darwin from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore late on Wednesday 13 September, with it expected they continue to Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 14 September.

UPDATE!  Indeed on Thursday 14 September, both RSAF C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '731' and '735' both arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin. This made three RSAF Hercs on the ground at once!

Of interest, the Hercs are part of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron 'Condors' based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

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 plane spotter John L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100s Around Rockhampton and Gladstone Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 12 September, there were at least three different Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 turboprop aircraft completing a variety of different flights at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

VH-QQG at Rockhampton Airport last week

After operating between Rockhampton Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site for the last couple of weeks, VH-QQG flew from Rockhampton Airport to Cairns as SKP545 after making mid-flight return to Rocky seemingly with a technical problem.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-QQC seemed to be the 'replacement' aircraft, arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Labona as SKP525/778.

Down at Gladstone Airport, high-level industry meetings brought VH-QQF which arrived from Brisbane and then departed to Townsville as SKP522, as well as VH-QQB which also arrived from Brisbane but then departed to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane as SKP741/2/3.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 12 September, there was the 'usual' Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter movements including DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ which completed its weekly FIFO run from Bundaberg Airport to Nebo Aerodrome via Mackay Airport and then back to Bundy direct.

Southern Airlines Beech B200 King Air VH-AMF completed the weekly FIFO charter flight up to Moranbah Airport. It flew up from Latrobe Valley and Bourke to Moranbah Airport before then heading back South to those places and then Melbourne (Moorabbin).

While Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-JYA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before then departing to Brisbane. It later returned to Townsville and Cairns. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as 'MC55' / "Machflight 55" flew down from Cairns and Aurukun to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-ZPY departed to Ingham.

Longreach-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-PRI also called into Charters Towers Aerodrome before later returning home to Longreach Airport.

WDC Equipment and Contracting Raytheon 58 Baron VH-EZR departed Charters Towers Aerodrome for Kidston and Emerald Airport.  It had arrived from its Chinchilla Aerodrome base the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-EZR departed Emerald Airport for Archerfield and Chinchilla.

And after being noted flying through Longreach Airport last week, the various New South Wales-based light aircraft were again noted flying through the region, this time all departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and landing at Bundaberg Airport.

Cessna 182 VH-SHN, Beech 76 Duchess VH-BFP and Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee VH-AIZ all flew down from Shute Harbour to Bundaberg Airport direct, while Cessna 172 VH-MCJ called into St Lawrence and Gladstone Airports while enroute to Bundy, and Cessna 172 VH-WYZ stopped at Gladstone Airport on the way to Bundy as well. 

Finally, also on Tuesday 12 September, after supporting recent Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployments of helicopters and aircraft for various joint military exercises Helicorp (Toll) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU completed a ferry flight from Mount Isa to Redcliffe via Longreach and Roma Airports.  It flown across from Darwin to Mount Isa the previous day.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 10 September, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Mareeba, Lockhart River and Cairns.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-VDF returned to Prosie from Lockhart River before then returning to the Sunshine Coast.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew down from Townsville and Mount Isa to Mackay Airport and then Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 10 September, Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later returned to Moorabbin.

And Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW landed at Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 September, VH-NMW departed Moura Aerodrome for Moree, Archerfield and Toowoomba. 

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 Bizjet N308KB Arrived into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 9 September, private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 bizjet N308KB arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

File photo

It's exact movements are not fully known, but it is assumed it arrived from overseas earlier in the day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 15 September, N308KB departed Hamilton Island airport for Darwin and Singapore (Seletar).

Also arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Saturday 9 September, was Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX.  It arrived from Bankstown as "Navair 188".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-MQX "Navair 187" departed Hamo for Bankstown.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Sydney before then departing back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 9 September, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mareeba before returning later in the day.  It then departed to the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived the previous day from the Gold Coast.

Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU, which has been flying out of Rockhampton Airport in recent days and weeks, departed to Theodore, Roma and Archerfield Airports before later flying back up to Bundaberg Airport.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and then Archerfield.  It looked to be completing an outback adventure flight which started from Archerfield on Monday 4 September.

While three Airflite / Commonwealth of Australia (Cadets Branch - Air Force) Diamond DA 40 NG Star aircraft VH-UEL, VH-UEM and VH-UEZ all operated out of and back to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport through the day with 'Astra' callsigns.  They had arrived from RAAF Base Amberley via Redcliffe on Friday 8 September.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 10 September, VH-UEM "Astra 205" departed to the Fraser Coast Wings and Wheels at Maryborough Airport.  VH-UEZ "Astra 202" departed back to Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 September, VH-UEL "Astra 230" finally departed to Redcliffe and Amberley.

And joining the three Diamonds was Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk VH-UAL of the Australian Air Force Cadets (Air Cadets School of Aviation) which also arrived into Hervey Bay Airport on Friday and also completed flights over the weekend.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

Some Photos of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Helicopters Operating out of Rockhampton Airport and Warriors Camp as Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) Kicks Off

This week, the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) looked to kick off in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) with the various Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters completing systems check and familiarisation flights around and out of Rockhampton Airport.

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.

The Apaches were again heard to be using their ‘usual’ radio callsign of "Avon" and "Astro".

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  ©️

Garuda Indonesia Boeing B777-300 PK-GIF & Royal Brunei Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE Back at Rockhampton Airport Again!

In the very wee small hours of Friday 8 September, both heavy jets from the previous day returned to Rockhampton Airport, completing another pair of charter flights in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23).

Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE was first to arrive from Singapore's Changi Airport, this time as RBA4273.

After unloading a full flight of personnel and equipment, it departed back to Singapore but as RBA4283.

UPDATE!  In the darkness very early on Saturday 9 September, V8-DLE returned to Rockhampton Airport one final time, this as RBA4274 once again from Singapore.  It then departed to Brneu as RBA4274.

While the Garuda Indonesia Boeing B777-3U3(ER) PK-GIF flew back into Rockhampton Airport on Friday morning, also from Singaproe's Changi Airport, but as GIA7760.  

As shown, it was parked on Taxiway Juliette and was unloaded and services there, rather than being forced to wait for a Gate on the parking apron.

Once it too had unloaded a full flight and was serviced, including taking on several tankers full of fuel, PK-GIF departed Rockhampton Airport for Jakarta as GIA7761.

Information suggests that this is the end of the first 'wave' of charter flights with the next wave due to take place in around three weeks' time.  Word is again it will feature Royal Brunei Airlines and Garuda Indonesia operating the flights with perhaps a one-off visit by a Qantas Airways aircraft!

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 the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a couple of great visitors to Rockhampton Airport.

Photos taken by John Lee  ©