On
Saturday 5 July, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62". It arrived from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and later departed back to there.
The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25) DET-6 "Archangels" and is presently deployed on board USS America (LHA-6). It is also reported that the "Archangels" squadron is based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
Meanwhile, also on Saturday 5 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a position North West of Rockhampton where it picked up a flight of four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
The F-35s are assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and they departed from the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). They flew across to Darwin with the RAAF MRTT as 'TYR51' / "Tier 51" and joined two other F-35B's from VMFA-242 which arrived from Japan during last week.
Finally, also on Saturday 5 July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-013 (Code 913) was visited Bundaberg Airport. It was heard to be flying as "Tiger 13".
UPDATE! On Sunday 6 July, N48-013 'TIGR13' was noted at Hamilton Island Airport.
Photo taken by Steve Vit ©
Additional images from the US Department of Defense