United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey 168655 / EP-08 "Hacksaw 12" Pops into 'Camp Rocky' near Rockhampton Airport

In the continuing build-up to the joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19), on Saturday 29 June, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft 168655 / EP-08 was photographed departing 'Camp Rocky' - the Australian Army Defence Support Unit (DSU) camp adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.

168655 / EP-08 was noted flying as "Hacksaw 12".

The Osprey is flown by the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

168655 / EP-08 was believed to have arrived from and then later departed back to the USS Wasp (LHD-1) which is believed to be in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) where it is participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Russell P for being at the right place at the right time and capturing and sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet A37-001 Departs Australia For Good

It appears that on Saturday 22 June, the first of the three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjets A37-001 departed Australia for good following almost 17 years of service with RAAF's VIP 34 Squadron.

A37-001 parked at Rockhampton Airport in May  (File photo)

A37-001 - as "Ausy 316" - was noted departing Canberra (RAAF Base Fairbairn) for Apia, Samoa, before it then continued to Honolulu, Hawaii and Burbank, California in the United States.

A37-001 (CN: 5521) was delivered to the RAAF in July 2002.  It made numerous visits to Central Queensland with its last believed to be on Wednesday 8 May when it called into Rockhampton Airport during the recent Federal Election campaign - as pictured below.

A37-001 departs Rockhampton Airport for Adelaide on its final visit to CQ  (File photo)

The RAAF's VIP 34 Squadron is replacing the three current Challenger 604 bizjets with three sleek new leased Dassault Falcon 7X bizjets.

A56-001 arrived in Canberra on delivery from overseas in mid-April and has completed a couple of crew familiarisation into CQ including Bundaberg Airport where it is pictured above.  The second Falcon 7X A56-002 was delivered to the RAAF at Canberra in early June.

Photos taken by ‘IAD’, Scott Harris and Isaac S  ©️

The Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

During the afternoon on Friday 28 June, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted arriving into Longreach Airport after a big day of flying.

VH-SGY at Longreach Airport during a previous visit  (File photo)

It originally departed Brisbane and then spent some time at Mount Isa. VH-SGY then flew to Winton before heading to Longreach Airport for the night.

At the time of writing, during the middle part of the morning on Saturday 29 June, VH-SGY is due to return to Winton from Longreach Airport before it is then due to continue back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, after dark on Thursday 27 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" was noted visiting both Longreach and Mackay Airports.

It initially flew from Townsville to Cairns before flying to Brisbane and then Longreach Airport. VH-VVI then departed to Mackay Airport before returning to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk Helicopter A25-210 "Judge 71" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Also on Friday 28 June, Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopter A25-210 was also photographed at Rockhampton Airport.

It appeared to fly in from the South, and after taking on fuel, continued north to Mackay Airport. Sadly, it’s exact movements aren’t fully known but it is assumed that it then continued further North.

A25-210 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Judge 71" - one which we've never heard before.

Sincere thanks again to local plane spotter Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©️

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk 168538 / RB-07 of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) 'Island Knights' Pops into Rockhampton Airport as "Knightrider 07"

On Friday 28 June, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 168538 / RB-07 was photographed by local plane spotter Kayanne H soon after it arrived into Rockhampton Airport as "Knightrider 07".

It looked to arrive from the USS Wasp (LHD-1), which is currently in the area to participate in the forthcoming joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19).

After being joined on the Northern Military Hardstand by an Australian Army Blackhawk - see Blog post above for more - the US Navy Knighthawk was later photographed departing Rockhampton Airport and returning to the Ship.

The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) "Island Knights" and is presently deployed and assigned with CVW-5 on board USS Wasp (LHD-1). It is also reported that the "Island Knights" squadron is based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Sincere thanks to Kayanne for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-002 Missed Approach at Bundaberg Airport

On Friday 28 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 was noted completing a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

A30-002 was flying as "Wedgetail 14" and appeared to fly up to Bundaberg from RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle in New South Wales. After completing the missed approach, it returned South and was heard completing more airwork at RAAF Base Amberley.

A30-002 then returned to Williamtown.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

And Three More United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Also Call into 'Camp Rocky' near Rockhampton Airport

Also on Thursday 27 June, and as the build-up to the joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19) continues, another three United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft were spotted calling into 'Camp Rocky' - the Australian Army Defence Support Unit (DSU) camp adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.

The first Osprey that paid a quick visit was identified as 168615 / EP-09.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Hacksaw 12".

Then, a little later, a pair of Ospreys - identified as 168633 / EP-05 and 16???? / EP-14 - also popped into 'Camp Rocky' for a short time.  They were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Hacksaw 14".

As mentioned, all three Ospreys are flown by the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) "Dragons", which is part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.  They are deployed on board the United States Navy ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) which is believed to be currently sailing North to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) where it will be participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Daniel B for being at the right place at the right time and capturing and sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©

The Two United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters Depart Rockhampton Airport as "Bigshow 24"

After making a surprise but most welcome arrival the previous day, on Thursday 27 June, the visiting pair of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters were noted departing Rockhampton Airport bound for their 'ship', the USS Wasp (LHD-1).

As mentioned below, the Super Stallions were identified as 161532 / Code 24 and 161262 / YJ-02.  The only visible squadron markings were 'HMH-USA' - part of one of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons.

It is believed they used the radio callsign of "Bigshow 24" when they departed Rockhampton Airport.

Bring on Talisman Sabre 2019!!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters 'IAD' and Daniel B for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a couple of great visitors to Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Daniel Bishop  ©

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-NEQ Pops into Roma and Middlemount Airports

On Thursday 27 June, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ was noted visiting both Roma and Middlemount Airports.

File photo

It arrived into Roma Airport from Bankstown before Continuing to Middlemount Aerodrome.

After a short time on the ground, VH-NEQ departed Middlemount Aerodrome and returned to Roma Airport before departing back to Bankstown.

Nice!

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 June, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM was noted arriving into Emerald Airport.  It arrived from Dorunda (Maramie) and Cairns.

VH-KXM at Emerald Airport during a previous visit  (File photo)

After taking on fuel, VH-KXM then departed 'home' to Bankstown.

VH-KXM had flown North via Longreach Airport last week.

Noted popping into Longreach and Barcaldine Airports (amongst other places), also on Thursday 27 June, was Hinterland Aviation Cessna 402C VH-TFK.  It was flying as 'HND835' and flew from Cairns to Normanton and Mount Isa on Wednesday 26 June, before continuing to Longreach and Barcaldine Airports, then Townsville and back to Cairns, on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a couple of familiar Pilatus PC-12 turboprops were noted popping into both Emerald and Clermont Airports on Wednesday 26 June.  Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAD arrived into Emerald Airport from Archerfield via Surat and Mount Gordon (Gunpowder Mine) before later returning to Archerfield.

While fellow Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VTF popped into Clermont Aerodrome, arriving from and later departed back to Toowoomba via Dalby.

Finally, on Tuesday 25 June, Colville Aviation Services (Torres Strait Air) Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander VH-WQA was noted departing Emerald Airport on a ferry flight back to Mareeba.  It had arrived the previous day from Archerfield where it had been undergoing planned maintenance.

Photo taken by 'top_end_dude'  ©