Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 "Trojan 02" Completes Airwork at Hamilton Island Airport

On Sunday 7 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 as "Trojan 02" was noted completing airwork at Hamilton Island Airport.

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It flew down from Townsville and then continued all the way down to RAAF Base Richmond.

The Herc had originally flown up to Townsville from Richmond at the start of last week and has completed daily flights to places including Cloncurry Airport.

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 1 December, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange and the Sunshine Coast to Bundaberg Airport, Emerald Airport and then Mackay Airport.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 December, VH-CMK reversed the entire set of flights and finished the day back at its Orange base.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Natal Downs and this afternoon reversed the flight.

Queensland based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP departed Mackay Airport for Normanton before then flying down to Keeroongooloo.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 December, VH-8HP landed at Mackay Airport from Keeroongooloo and Normanton and then departed back to Keeroongooloo.

Finally, also on Monday 1 December, after a week of being deployed to Rockhampton Airport and completing a series of flights to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back (pictured), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J A97-466 as "Trojan 40" departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Richmond - reportedly for good.

Photos taken by Ross Huntington and Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-466 "Trojan 40" Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 24 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-466 was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport as "Trojan 40" after flying up from RAAF Base Richmond.

At the time of writing, A97-466 appears to be staying for at least the night parked at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 25 November and Wednesday 26 November, A97-466 completed local flights out of Rockhampton Airport into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Warrior 01".  Later on Wednesday, A97-466 again as "Trojan 40" departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to RAAF Base Richmond.

UPDATE!  But, on Thursday 27 November, A97-466 "Trojan 40" returned once again to Rockhampton Airport and again operated local flights up to Monday 1 December when it returned again to Richmond.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 34", which flew up to Townsville on Friday, departed there to a missed approach at Cairns then down to one at Rockhampton Airport and then the Sunshine Coast before returning to Townsville.

Photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-465 "Ausy 807" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 15 November, a rare weekend military visitor with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-465 arriving into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Richmond as 'ASY807'.

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After some time on the ground, the Herc departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Richmond.

While fellow RAAF C-130J-30 Hercules A97-466 but as 'ASY816' was also noted flying through the region heading North - and again on Sunday 16 November!

Photo taken by Robert Myers  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '735' Call into Rockhampton Airport - AGAIN!

On Tuesday 11 November, and for the second week in-a-row, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft arrived into Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as '731' and '735' and flew together across from Darwin as SAF9576 and SAF9577 respectively. They had both arrived into the Top End from Singapore the previous day.

Then on Wednesday 12 November, both Hercs were photographed (above) departing Rockhampton Airport where they headed back to Darwin with the plan to return to Singapore the next day.

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '735' Call into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 4 November, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft arrived into Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as '731' and '735' and flew together across from Darwin as SAF9574 and SAF9575 respectively.  They had both arrived into the Top End from Singapore the previous day.

Then on Wednesday 5 November, both Hercs were photographed departing Rockhampton Airport where they headed back to Darwin with the plan to return to Singapore the next day.

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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 the local aviation photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon Jets - Plus Airbus A330-MRTT '765' - And Lockheed C-130H Hercules '730' - All Depart Rockhampton Airport For Good!

On Monday 3 November, most of the participating Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft departed Rockhampton Airport for good following their participation in the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

After arriving the previous afternoon from Darwin, RSAF Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aircraft '765' departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin again as 'SAF8542'.

It went shortly before the four RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets which also departed Rockhampton Airport also to Darwin.

The four F-16s - serials 637, 620, 615 and 629 - are believed to be flown by the RSAF's 140th Squadron "Osprey" and took to the air again using the ferrying flight callsigns of 'SAF3511A-D'.

Lastly, RSAF Lockheed C-130H transport aircraft '730', which had been deployed to Rockhampton Airport for most of the Exercise and completed multiple daily flights to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport, also departed to Darwin but as 'SAF9572'.

At the time of writing, it is believed that all these aircraft will depart Darwin as early as tomorrow to head back to Singapore.

UPDATE!  After a technical hitch which saw the RSAF F-16s and A330-MRTT return to Darwin, they all eventually left Darwin and returned to Singapore by the end of the week.

While these aircraft all departed Rockhampton Airport, the four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were moved from their parking position beside Runway 04/22 to the Alliance Airlines hangar where they will have their rotor blades and other components removed in preparation for uplift and transport back to Singapore. 

It is expected that an Antonov AN-124 cargo plane will touch down at Rockhampton Airport either over this coming weekend or early next week.

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 the local plane spotters at Rockhampton Airport for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'IAD'  ©

A Pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Aircraft - A97-442 & A97-468 - Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 26 October, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft were both noted completing airwork at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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A97-442 as "Trojan 52" and A97-468 as "Trojan 53" were noted both flying down from Townsville to RAAF Base Amberley via airwork and missed approaches at both Hamilton Island Airport and Emerald Airport.  They then continued to RAAF Base Richmond via further airwork at Moree and Tamworth.

It looks like both Hercs left Richmond mid-week and have been on a flight around Australia calling into RAAF Base Pearce, other places in Western Australia and then up to Darwin.  On Saturday 25 October, they flew across from Darwin across the top with approaches at three airports and then landing at RAAF Base Scherger before continuing to Cairns and then Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 26 October, Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT flew across from Ayres Rock to Hamilton Island Airport and then Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 188" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Bankstown.

Finally, also on Sunday 26 October, Cirrus Design Corporation's Cirrus SR20A-G7 Trac VH-8TR was on display at Donnington Airpark before later flying across to Ayr and then down to Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed to Archerfield. 

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VH-8TR had flown up to Donnington Airpark from Archerfield via Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 25 October.

And NSW based Cirrus SR22 VH-8TC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Mackay Airport and Cairns.

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D Block 52 Version+ Fighting Falcon Jets Take to the Air From Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

After almost a week of R&R, on Thursday 16 October, three of the four The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets took to the air for the first time since arriving into Rockhampton Airport to participate in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25). 

During the morning and again the afternoon, the three F-16s flew as 'SAF3511' from Rocky down to RAAF base Amberley and back on a diversion training flight.

It is expected that proper sorties as a part of Exercise Wallaby 2025 should start in the coming days.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 16 October, and about at the same time as the F-16 flights, the RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '730' completed yet more sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from and back to Rockhampton Airport again as "RIDER18/28/38".

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

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - The Two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '733' Depart Rockhampton Airport

After arriving on Friday 10 October, over the weekend, the two visiting Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft departed Rockhampton Airport to different locations.

On Saturday 11 October, Hercules '733' as 'SAF9573' departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin

Then on Sunday 12 October, Hercules '731' as 'SAF9590' departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Pearce.

I wonder if it will be picking up more cargo and returning to Rockhampton Airport?

Finally, as mentioned several times previously, a third RSAF C-130H Hercules '730' is also deployed to Rockhampton Airport and completes 2-3 daily sorties as "Rider" flying to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back as the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) continues.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Jesseca Huber  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '733' Also Arrive at Rockhampton Airport

Also on Friday 10 October, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft were also spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.  They were identified as '731' and '733' and flew together across from RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia as SAF9590 and SAF9573 respectively.

Both Hercs have come to Rockhampton Airport from the West in support of the of RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D Block 52 Version Fighting Falcon jets which also flew across from RAAF Base Pearce to Rockhampton Airport on Friday 10 October - see Blog post below!

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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".

A third RSAF C-130H Hercules '730' is also deployed to Rockhampton Airport and completes 2-3 daily sorties as "Rider" flying to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back as the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) continues.

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 the local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '730' Departs Rockhampton Airport - But Returns!

On Thursday 9 October, we thought the time had come for The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '730' to head home with it spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Darwin as 'SAF9572'.

However, it seems that the flight to the top end was just a cargo pick-up with the Herc returning back to Rockhampton Airport from Darwin again as 'SAF9572'.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, amongst all the excitement of the RSAF F-16 arrival, Hercules '730' resumed flying sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as "Rider" as a part of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) which continues this month and wraps up in early November.

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/

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Photos of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Flying as 'Rider' Plus Helicopters Operating out of Rockhampton Airport as Exercise Wallaby 2025 Continues!

With the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) in full swing, the various Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and helicopters are completing daily sorties to and from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) out of Rockhampton Airport and 'Warriors Camp'.

The RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules '734', which arrived into Rockhampton Airport last week, appears to have deployed to the beef capital and has started operating 1-2 daily sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport as a part of the Exercise using its usual callsign of "Rider".

Of interest, the Herc is one 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".

The four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters continue to fly out as singles and in formations of two (as shown) or even four, completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport using their usual callsigns of "Avon" and "Atom".

As 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".

Finally, after deploying direct from their base at Oakey, the RSAF Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' 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.

Most flights are operating out of the 'Warriors Camp' near Rockhampton Airport.  The Chinooks have been heard to be using their 'usual' radio callsigns of "Celtic", "Cyclops" and "Concorde".

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 are still to 'deploy' to and remain at Rockhampton Airport for part of the Exercise.  Four aircraft have currently deployed to RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia with it reported that they will deploy to Rockhampton Airport on or about Friday 10 October which is when the Pearce deployment is due to conclude.  Awesome!

As we've been posting, the second 'wave' of heavy jet troop charter flights are currently calling into Rockhampton Airport again being operated by Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner widebody aircraft.

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 6000 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 all the local plane spotters for taking the time capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Ash Burggraaff, John Lee and Steve Vit  ©