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'  ©

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus A330-MRTT '765’ Calls into Rockhampton Airport as Exercise Wallaby 2025 Draws to a Close

On Sunday 2 November, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aircraft '765' arrived from Darwin as 'SAF8542'.  It had arrived in the top end from Singapore a couple of days prior.

 

It is believed that the A330-MRTT has arrived into Rockhampton Airport in preparation for the departure of participating aircraft and helicopters as The Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) draws to a close.

The A330-MRTT appears to be staying for the night with information suggesting it will be departing back to Darwin early on Monday 3 November, in company with the four RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets, on the first leg of their journey home to Singapore.

The A330-MRTT is one of six flown by the RSAF's 112 Squadron, whose motto is 'Determined To Deliver'.  

The RSAF A330-MRTT aircraft, like the RAAF's KC-30A's, can conduct air-to-air refuelling and airlift roles simultaneously.

UPDATE!  Early on Monday 3 November, the RSAF A330-MRTT '765' departed Rockhampton Airport back to Darwin again as 'SAF8542' - and with the RSAF F-16 jets in tow! - see Blog post above!

All photos taken by Michael Gaskin  ©

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  ©

More Great Photos as The Four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D Block 52 Version+ Fighting Falcon Jets Touch Down at Rockhampton Airport for Exercise Wallaby 2025

As posted below, on Friday 10 October, four The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets arrived at Rockhampton Airport to participate in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25). 

The four F-16s - serials 637, 620, 615 and 629 - all flew in direct from RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia as "Singa 3511".

After all gathering at the end of Runway 15 at Rockhampton, all four F-16s taxied up 'Juliet' taxiway and were met by their aircraft 'checker' before proceeding to their parking positions on the Northern military hardstand at Rockhampton Airport.

It is expected that the F-16s will take to the air again late this week after a reported period of rest for their pilots and crew.  They are reportedly staying in Rockhampton until the end of Exercise Wallaby 2025 at the start of 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/

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter John L for allowing us to share these great photos of these great jets!  More photos to come!

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  ©