United States Air Force (USAF) Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit 'Stealth Bomber' 88-0328 as 'SMOG11' Spotted Over Rockhampton - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 June, United States Air Force (USAF) Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit 'stealth bomber' 88-0328 as 'SMOG11' flew up from RAAF Base Amberley and was photographed circling overhead Rockhampton while it waited for air-to-air fuel tanker support.

It is believed the 32-year-old multi role heavy bomber to be from the USAF Global Strike Command - 509th Bomb Wing -13th Bomb Squadron - based out of at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.  It is believed to have flown across from there the previous day touching down at Amberley in the wee small hours of Thursday morning.

Defence image...

UPDATE!  Once returning from its sortie, the B-2 departed Amberley and returned back to Whiteman AFB.

Meanwhile, after the B-2 completed a couple of circuits, USAF Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 59-1502 was spotted also overhead Rockhampton after it too flew up from Amberley but as "FRESH33".

Both aircraft continued North.

Of interest, another two KC-135R Refuellers also arrived into Amberley in support of the B-2 deployment with 58-0050 "Fresh 31" and 58-0104 "Fresh 32" also touching down.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 as "Stallion 45" looked to have completed low level airwork around Fraser Island.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 06" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast then departed to Mareeba and then back to Sunshine Coast.

VIP Aviation (A.C.T.) / Australian Corporate Jet Centres (Melbourne) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-EXG flew down from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to Melbourne (Essendon). It had arrived from there on Wednesday 10 June.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Dan B for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-120) 11-3097 "Cata 202" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-110) 'Wolfhound' wearing the serial number of 11-3097 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cata 202" and looked to touch down from Brisbane.

A short time later, the Dornier departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Of interest, the C-146A Wolfhound looks to be flown by the 524th Special Operations Squadron (524th SOS), located at Duke Field, Florida.  It is one of four flying squadrons within the 492nd Special Operations Wing. 

The squadron flies the C-146A Wolfhound in order to provide agile intra-theatre mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 18" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, RAAF B737 A62-001 as Envoy 18 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to the Gold Coast.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to complete a few more and then land at Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport.  It then flew down to land at Amberley before eventually heading back to Williamtown.

Finally, also on Thursday 4 December,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport, Roma Airport and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre this afternoon.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter and photographer Scott H and Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos of a great visitor to Rocky!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Busy Saturday at Rockhampton Airport including Multiple USAF C-17 Globemaster Transports Visiting

On Saturday 19 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 as "Valour 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley then flew out to the North East over water and back.  It then returned to Amberley.

Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A VH-SLD as 'AJAX14' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Kununurra. 

While Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from its ship.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman" departed to Townsville. 

RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to the Gold Coast and Ballina. 

Finally, late on Saturday 19 July, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 09-9206 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin.

It later departed to Cairns.

Also noted at Rockhampton Airport was USAF C-17 09-9208 as 'LAVA93'.

USAF C-17 05-5150 as Lava 91 flew down from Darwin to Amberley.  It may have also possibly visited Rockhampton Airport after dark.

And USAF C17 05-5146 as 'LAVA97' flew East from Townsville and at low-level around the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by Darren Massie and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Flight of SIX Australian Army and RNZAF Helicopters as "Chainsaw Combined" Arrives at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 July, a massive flight of SIX military helicopters flying as "Chainsaw Combined" were photographed making a spectacular arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

They were identified as Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306, NZ3303 & NZ3307.

Plus Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters A15-301, A15-306 & A15-310.

All six helicopters parked on the crossing Runway 04/22 at Rockhampton Airport.

While Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjet VH-LRH as "Blackjack 11" completed a flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

A third Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A VH-LRX also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from HMAS Albatross at Nowra as 'AJAX19'.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-01 and A27-23 - completed only one afternoon sortie out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

The two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transport aircraft wearing serials 130617 and 130606 flew down from Townsville as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt" into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area before later returning North.

Finally, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 as 'SHAKA11' was noted on radar climbing out of the Middlemount area.  It is believed to be based at RAAF Base Amberley along with a few other USAF C-17s which are also based there and at other places like Cairns, Townsville and Darwin.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Scott Harris  ©

Remembering the Crash of a USAF B-17C Flying Fortress at Bakers Creek near Mackay on 14 June 1943

During the Second World War, the United States Army Air Corps established rest and recreation facilities in Mackay. From the end of January 1943 until early 1944, thousands of United States servicemen were ferried almost daily from New Guinea to Mackay by air transport to spend around 10 days R&R. They were usually carried by two B-17 Flying Fortresses converted for transport duties and an LB-30 (civil transport version of the B-24 Liberator bomber), stationed in Mackay with the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, whose parent Unit was stationed in Townsville, Queensland.

On Monday 14 June 1943, just before dawn, at about 6 a.m., Boeing B-17C, Serial/Tail Number 40-2072, known as "Miss Every Morning Fixin", took off from Mackay headed for Port Moresby. There were six crew and 35 passengers aboard. A few minutes after take-off, it crashed, at Bakers Creek, 8km South of Mackay, killing all but one of those on board.

The cause of the crash remains a mystery. The aircraft took off into fog and, soon after, made a turn at low altitude. The crash remains Australia's worst air disaster.

The sole survivor was Foye Kenneth Roberts who died at Wichita Falls, Texas on 4 February 2004.

Local residents gathered at the Bakers Creek Memorial site to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the crash in 2013, and to mark the occasion, a booklet titled 'Biosketches of the Fallen', has been published.

The memorial was constructed in Bakers Creek in 1981 consisting of two brick columns aligned northwards on which are mounted flag poles and two brass plaques facing eastwards. Between the columns is a large aircraft propeller of a type fitted to Douglas C-47/DC-3/Dakota airplanes that was supplied by the Royal Australian Air Force. The plaques describe the crash and list the men known to have perished as well as the sole survivor. Fixed above the propeller is a bronze model of a Flying Fortress aircraft that was added on 13 June 2003.

Another memorial located behind the Australian embassy in Washington D.C. commemorates the accident. Because embassies are considered foreign soil, the Bakers Creek Memorial Association petitioned American lawmakers to relocate the memorial. After several years of negotiation, a dedication ceremony took place 11 June 2009 at the memorial's new home just north-west of the Selfridge Gate in Fort Myer, Virginia.

More information can be found at Peter Dunn's Australia At War website (www.ozatwar.com).

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-464 "Trojan 74" Pops into Shoalwater Bay Training Area - Plus More!

On Thursday 1 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-464 as "Trojan 74" flew down from Townsville to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and a bit later returned to Townsville and this afternoon flew down to the Bay again. 

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 2 May, A97-464 "Trojan 74" departed Williamson Airfield for RAAF Base Williamtown.

Of interest, A97-464 again as "Trojan 74" looked to also visit the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) at Williamson Airfield also on Tuesday 29 April.  It was noted departing Williamson Airfield to RAAF Base Williamtown.

And at least two Boeing C-17 Globemaster II transport aircraft as "Charger" flew out from RAAF Base Amberley to the South-West and then back.  They appeared to be USAF C-17 05-5151 and RAAF C-17 A41-209.

The RCAF CC-177 (C-17) 177704 flew North from Amberley as "Canforce 3677".

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 "Wedgetail 05" Completes a Missed Approach at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 05" flew up to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Williamtown. 

It looked like fellow E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 as "Wedgetail 03" completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on Tuesday 29 April.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 11" flew up from Amberley to the coast East of Rockhampton before it then descended to low level and flew down the coast to near Bundaberg then climbed to flight level back to Amberley.

And at least two United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft - 90-0533 and 05-5151 - flying in formation as "Charger", flew up from RAAF Base Amberley at flight level to near Hamilton Island and then turned inland and descended to low level and flew down to between Bluff and Blackwater before climbing up over Blackdown and up to flight level back to Amberley. 

At the same time Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III (C-17A) 177704 as "Titan 01" flew South-East from Amberley out to sea and back and late this afternoon was flying around Amberley as "Titan 02".

These Globemasters - along with RAAF C-17s - are involved in Exercise Global Dexterity 25-1 which is being conducted at RAAF Base Amberley between 24 April and 10 May 2025. The interoperability training program is held biannually and designed to rehearse C-17 concentration of force during airborne operations, air to air refuelling and airdrop/airland during semi-prepared airfield operations. 

The 25-1 iteration included participants from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), United States Air Force (USAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aboard RAAF and USAF C-17 platforms. The RAAF C-17A provides strategic and tactical airlift across the Indo-Pacific region, with its ability to provide short-notice and time-critical airlift support making it essential during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations

Finally, on Tuesday 29 April, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Foxtrot Chinook helicopter A15-304 as "Brahman 303" was noted completing airwork around the Whitsundays including at Hamilton Island Airport and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Defence Images...

Three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Arrive into Rockhampton Presumably to Head to TC Alfred Clean-up Zone

On Saturday 8 March, three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were photographed after they had arrived into the Australian Army Defence Support Unit (DSU) camp adjacent to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  They were identified as A15-312, A15-313 and A15-314 and were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Chainsaw".

Of interest, these three Chinooks are part of the four 'additional' Chinook helicopters that have entered service with C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, in Townsville.  It is possibly the first time we've seen at least A15-313 and A15-314 in the region since they were delivered to the Australian Army in Townsville in 2021 from US Army Stocks via a USAF C-5M Galaxy transport aircraft.

UPDATE!  On Monday 10 March, all three Chinooks departed the DSU near Rockhampton Airport and flew down to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos 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  ©️