Exercise Wallaby 2024 - Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124 UR-82008 Returns to Rockhampton Airport with Three RSAF H225M Helicopters

During the late afternoon on Friday 30 August, another large crowd of onlookers were on hand to see the return into Rockhampton Airport of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore this time as ADB3832.

The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and almost immediately commenced unloading its cargo. The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.

On this flight, three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus H225M Medium Lift Helicopters were unloaded and parked at Rockhampton Airport. Their serial numbers are yet to be confirmed.

It is the first time we have seen examples of the RSAF’s new H225M medium lift helicopter which has replaced their AS332M Super Puma helicopters.

The H225M helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 125 Squadron "Starling" based at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force. Established in 1985, the squadron goes by the motto "Swift And Bold", with the Starling as the squadron's motif.

The Airbus-made H225M Medium Lift helicopter is a modern multi-role helicopter that will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s existing fleet of AS332M Super Pumas, which have been in service since 1985.

It is expected that the H225Ms - and the Boeing AH-64D Apaches delivered during the week - will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, after the H225M helicopters were unloaded, UR-82008 was closed up parked for the night. It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport during the morning on Saturday 31 August.

UPDATE!  Indeed, early on Saturday 31 August, UR-82008 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for as Johor Bahru in Malaysia as ADB332F.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 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 the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, 'IAD', Lisa Jamieson and Nikita Whitcombe  ©

Great Photos as Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 Departs Rockhampton Airport

As predicted, early on Thursday 29 August, the visiting Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Peya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB332F.

As posted below, it arrived the previous day from Paya Lebar and brought four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters to Rockhampton Airport for the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24).

The Antonov is due to return to Rockhampton Airport from Paya Lebar late on Friday 30 August with another load of RSAF helicopters - possibly some of their new H225M which have replaced their older Super Puma helicopters.

We shall wait and see!

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 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 the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Katrina Millhouse  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2024 - Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 Calls into Rockhampton Airport with Four RSAF AH-64D Apache Helicopters

Early on Wednesday 28 August, a large crowd of onlookers were on hand to see the arrival into Rockhampton Airport of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB3831.

The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and almost immediately commenced unloading its cargo. The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.

On this flight, four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were unloaded and parked at Rockhampton Airport. Their serial numbers are believed to be 92-055, 066, 064 and 058.

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".

It is expected that the Apaches will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, after all four Apache helicopters were unloaded, UR-82008 was closed up parked for the night. It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 29 August.

However, the Antonov is due to return to Rockhampton Airport from Paya Lebar late on Friday 30 August with another load of RSAF helicopters - possibly some of their new H225M which have replaced their older Super Puma helicopters.

We shall wait and see!

UPDATE!  Indeed, early on Thursday 29 August, UR-82008 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for as Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB332F.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 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 the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, John Lee and Drew Mackay  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2024 - First RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '732' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus Antonov AN-124 Wednesday!

On Tuesday 27 August, the first arrival for the 20204 iteration of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) touched down at Rockhampton Airport with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules '732' arriving from Darwin as "SAF 9406".

It looked to be parked up for the night and possibly will return to Darwin on Wednesday 28 August.

It is also believed a second RSAF C-130H Hercules '735' was due to fly into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday but suffered a technical problem and remained at Darwin.  It will possibly arrive into Rockhampton Airport also on Wednesday 28 August.

Finally, it is expected that early on Wednesday 28 August, Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 will arrive into Rockhampton Airport, flying in direct from Paya Lebar Air Base (RSAF) as 'ADB3831'.  It is presently (at the time of writing) due to arrive into Rockhampton Airport at 8.00am on Wednesday.

This is the first of two visits into Rockhampton Airport this week by the mighty Antonov as it transports RSAF helicopters - possibly Boeing AH-64D Apaches and potentially, the new Airbus H225M medium-lift helicopters - for the Exercise.

Stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Many Photos as 4 USAF and 1 RAAF C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft all Call Into Rockhampton Airport on Sunday - Plus More!

It was very hectic morning at Rockhampton airport on Sunday 25 August as five massive Globemaster transport aircraft all called into Rockhampton Airport to transport personnel and equipment out to RAAF Base Amberley.

Four United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transports of the 7th Airlift Squadron, 62nd Airlift Wing, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Washington, USA all flew down from Townsville in fairly quick succession.

The first to arrive was 08-8202 as "Sound 11".

It was followed by 08-8201 as "Sound 12" and arrived as the first C-17 departed Rockhampton Airport for Amberley.

Then making a spectacular arrival was a flight of two USAF C-17s 10-0218 and 08-8912 - flying as "Sound 21" and "Sound 22" respectively.

Meanwhile, arriving after all the USAF aircraft was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 which arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Amberley as "Stallion 80".

It was the final aircraft to leave Rockhampton Airport and like the four USAF C-17s, it loaded personnel and equipment and also departed to Amberley.

Of interest, it is believed the visit, and indeed the deployment of the four USAF C-17s from McChord AFB to Townsville is in support of Operation Kenny's Return (OKR).  The Operation will run across the U.S. Indo-Pacific region and involves joint and coalition manoeuvres with representatives from the U.S. Army's Corps, Pacific Air Forces, United States Transportation Command Joint Communication Service Element, as well as units assigned to the U.S. Space Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army.

The USAF C-17s arrived last week and have been noted completing flights mostly up to Far North Queensland - and to RAAF Base Scherger - as well as local flights around Townsville.

It’s great to see them here!

Finally, one other military visitor to Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 25 August, was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-003 as "Kaos 57".

It too flew down from Townsville to Rocky and completed three touch-and-go approaches before landing for some time.  It later also departed to Amberley.

Of interest, and as mentioned below, A34-003 as "Kaos 57" flew in company with fellow C-27J Spartan A34-001 as "Mongrel 54" up to Townsville at the start of last week from Amberley via airwork at Rolleston Aerodrome.  The two Spartans have been noted completing flights out of Townsville to locations in and around Collinsville and Charters Towers and then back to Townsville over the last few days.

Certainly an exciting and hectic morning of action at Rockhampton Airport and we thank local plane spotters John L and Trevor H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the action!

Photos taken by John Lee and Trevor Hardsman  ©️