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  ©️