Exercise Wallaby 2018 - Some Photos of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47D Chinook Helicopters at 'Warriors Camp' near Rockhampton Airport

As the Singapore Armed Forces Military Exercise Wallaby 2018 continues, local photographer Russell P popped out to Rockhampton Airport on the public holiday Monday 1 October and has shared with us some spectacular photos captured as a pair of the visiting Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters departed from 'Warriors Camp' to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

The two RSAF Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters were identified as 88188 and 88183 and were heard to depart together to Shoalwater Bay as "Cyclops".

As mentioned, like previous years, most of the RSAF helicopters are utilising the space to land and take off from inside the Australian Army Defence Support Group (DSG) 'Camp Rocky' which is adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.  The RSAF has re-named the DSG as 'Warriors Camp' while they utilise the facility to launch and park some of their helicopters.

Of interest, 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, the four at Rockhampton are of five that are based at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

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.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Russell P for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Russell Prothero  ©

And Three Visiting Bizjets Depart Hamilton Island Airport - Citations VH-FCS & VH-MMC and Gulfstream VI N720LF

Also up at Hamilton Island Airport on Monday 1 October, the three visiting Australian-based corporate bizjets were all noted leaving and heading there separate ways after all arriving late last week.

Australian Corporate Jet Centres / Fox Aviation Citation I/SP bizjet VH-FCS departed to the Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport in northern New South Wales and the Melbourne (Essendon).

File photo

It had arrived from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Essendon on Thursday 27 September.

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC departed to the Sunshine Coast.

It too arrived on Thursday 27 September and arrived from the Sunny Coast.

And American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650ER) bizjet N720LF returned down to Sydney.

It had arrived from there very late also on Thursday 27 September.

Meanwhile, as well as the corporate bizjets to visit Hamo, there have been some light General Aviation (GA) aircraft - and a helicopter - to be noted calling into Hamilton Island Airport over the last few days.

As reported below, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP departed Hamo also on Monday 1 October after arriving last Wednesday 26 September.

Royal Victorian Aero Club Piper PA-28-181 VH-MRX was noted arriving from Innisfail on Sunday 30 September and departed to Emu Park on Monday 1 October.  It appears to be on a tour through Central and Northern Australia and could now be heading home to its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base in Victoria.

Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from its Monto base also on Friday 28 September.  It returned there also on Monday 1 October.

Finally, it appears that Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR is still parked at Hamo after arriving there from Archerfield via Rockhamption Airport last Monday 24 September.

Photo taken by Robert Myers  ©

Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger Helicopter VH-EQP Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 October, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP was photographed by local plane spotter Anthony S as it passed through Gladstone Airport, heading home to Southport after spending a few days at Hamilton Island.

As mentioned below, VH-EQP had ventured North to Hamilton Island Airport from Southport, via Gladstone Airport, last Wednesday 26 September.

Meanwhile, also at Gladstone Airport, also on Monday 1 October, Anthony photographed Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFE as it departed to Brisbane operating on behalf of Virgin Australia as VOZ2904.

And locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane Found Aircraft Canada Bush Hawk XP VH-OOB was also photographed as it returned to Gladstone Airport from a local flight.

Some great photos and a good time was had by Anthony!  We thank him sincerely for taking the time to capture and share with us his photos!

All photos taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

SG Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS Bizjet VH-SGA Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A nice corporate bizjet to call into Rockhampton Airport on the public holiday Monday 1 October was SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS VH-SGA.

It is pictured arriving from Melbourne (Essendon) via Port Macquarie in New South Wales.

After around three hours on the ground, VH-SGA departed back to Essendon via the Gold Coast.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Russell P for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Russell Prothero  ©