Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell UH-1Y Venom (Super Huey) and Bell AH-1Z Cobra Helicopters 'FURY11' Pop into Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 13 July, there was a nice early surprise pair of visitors into Rockhampton Airport in the form of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell UH-1Y Venom (Super Huey) and Bell AH-1Z Cobra helicopters which flew together as 'FURY11'.

The UH-1Y Venom helicopter was identified as 168406 (EP-35) "JINTA" and the AH-1Z Cobra helicopter was identified as 169096 (EP-44).

Their exact movements are fully known but the two helicopters are believed to be part of a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA-USA) from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), falling  under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).

They visited Rockhampton Airport twice during the day.

They are deployed to the United States Navy (USN) San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD-22).  It sails with the USS America (LHA-6) and USS Rushmore (LSD-47).

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'IAD'  ©

Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP Helicopter VH-VAU Spotted Operating for Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 12 July, a couple of nice photos have been shared to us of the Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU now currently operating for the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) out of Rockhampton Airport - complete with titles!  Nice!

As mentioned below, the much-travelled rescue helicopter had been previously working from Horn Island as "Rescue 700" and left there to Rockhampton Airport - via a few stops - back in March.

While during the afternoon, Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 water bombing helicopter VH-T53 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and Bundaberg Airports.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 13 July, VH-T53 departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport and points further North.  The big Huey helicopter was photographed at Cairns Airport (as above) later in the week.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 12 July, American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG landed at Degunnie from Archerfield and Augathella and then departed back to Archerfield.

Emma McDonald in her American registered Edge 540 N540MH departed Rockhampton Airport to Goondiwindi.

A bit later locally-based R-Mach Aviation's Lancair 4 VH-VIE departed Rockhampton Airport also to Goondiwindi before continuing to Lake Macquarie and Leongatha.

While Cirrus (Australia) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NFP landed at Longreach Airport from Dubbo before later departing to Horn Island.

UPDATE!  VH-NFP flew South from Horn Island to Mackay Airport and then Melbourne (Essendon) on Friday 18 July.

And Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X flew up from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Sydney.

Photos taken by Darren Massie and Jonathan Williams  ©

Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' Spectacular Overfly of Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 12 July, Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft serial 54+14 as 'GAF61' flew up the Queensland coast low level from RAAF Base Amberley then turned and flew up the Fitzroy River to over the top of Rockhampton Airport where it complete a spectacular low pass over the Airport.

The massive Luftwaffe transport plane then departed the area and continued onwards to Townsville at low level. Quite spectacular!

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 12 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3303 as "Warrior 03" was spotted flying around the Whitsundays area on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Of interest, another two RNZAF NH90 helicopters NZ3306 and NZ3307 are also currently deployed to Townsville.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman 11" then A15-309 as "Stockman 12" departed Rockhampton Airport to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and returned separately late in the afternoon.

And the United States Navy (USN) Boeing P-8A Poseidon with serial number 169567 as "Shiner 21" flew up to and area off the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

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

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Ash Burggraff  ©

Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 on Demonstration Tour of Some CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 flew from Mackay Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  

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The Tecnam demonstration aircraft arrived into Mackay Airport from Townsville the previous day - as shown above!

And Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew out from Hedlow Airfield to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mount Isa and further West.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 11 July, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and then departed Hamo and returned North.

Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Wagga Wagga to Clermont Aerodrome and then Natal Downs before later flying down to Dalby and Archerfield.

And Re-registered Flight Options (Australia) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-LJX visited Hamilton Island Airport from its new Sunshine Coast base.

Finally, also on Friday 11 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport before continuing to Townsville.

Of interest, over the last couple of weeks, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has made also made visits to Hervey Bay, Moranbah, Rockhampton, Longreach and Charleville Airports.

Sistership VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" has also been busy, making multiple visits to Rockhampton and Longreach Airports, plus visiting Hervey Bay, Barcaldine, Mackay, and Cloncurry Airports

And VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" spent much of the last couple of weeks in the hangar only to emerge on Thursday 10 July and complete a visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

While VH-URR "Ambulance 604" continues to operate out of Singapore (Seletar).

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

It then departed to Townsville.

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was also photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport but from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It too then departed to Townsville.

And Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-309 as "Stockman 11" was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) before returning later in the day.

In the afternoon, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 57" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Townsville and a bit later departed to Canberra.

Late morning, United States Navy (USN) Boeing P-8A Poseidon with serial number 169567 was heard to be flying as "Shiner 11", arrived into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area from RAAF Base Amberley where it is currently deployed.  After completing some airwork in the Bay area, it departed back to Amberley.

As shown, the Poseidon also has an AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS).

And late in the day United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 170275 (Tail Code QB-0275) as "Sumo 97" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Richard Ennis  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8IH First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport on Charter Flight - Plus More!

On Thursday 10 July, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8IH was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport.  It operated a charter flight as VOZ9521/0 from and back to Brisbane.

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VH-8IH was delivered into Brisbane from the USA on in late August 2024 before entering service at the start of September.  The aircraft was named 'Palm Beach' and is the 8th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 10 July, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Natal Downs and then down to Clermont Aerodrome and then further down to Wagga Wagga.

UPDATE!  On Friday 11 July, it looked like VH-JSZ reversed the run, arriving back into Clermont Aerodrome from Wagga Wagga before it then went to Natal Downs and back to Archerfield.

While GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then flying down to the Gold Coast and then back to New Zealand.

And FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was noted visiting Emerald Airport on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It also visited late on Wednesday 9 July.

Finally, also on Thursday 10 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 12" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport before flying South and completing another one at Coffs Harbour and then back to Williamtown.

And two of the visiting Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters departed Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back as "Stockman 12" and then "Stockman 11".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

TJ's Aero Service (SA) / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-LXZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 9 July, TJ's Aero Service (SA) / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ popped into Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast. It then flew to Maryborough Airport and then Brisbane.

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While American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG flew from Augathella to Degunnie but due to fog there, landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport before later departing to Archerfield.

And McGilvray Aviation Partenavia P.68C VH-IOZ flew down from its Mareeba base to Emerald Airport.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 9 July, the lead up to the joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) really stepped up a notch with a couple of awesome visitors into CQ at Rockhampton Airport, including one first-time visitor to the region!

Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft serial 54+14 as 'GAF61' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and was photographed touching down and then parked on Bay 6.

It then departed to RAAF Base Amberley, flying at not above 1000ft - departing from Rockhampton Airport's Runway 33 and flying down the river and over town.

Of interest, the German Air Force Airbus A400M is a high-wing aircraft with four turboprop engines, a pressurized cabin and a rear cargo door, and is designed as a strategic and tactical transport and tanker aircraft.  All 53 of the German Air Force Airbus A400M aircraft are stationed with 62 Air Transport Wing in Wunstorf, Germany.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 9 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing B757-2K2 NZ7571 as "Kiwi 313" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RNZAF Base Ohakea and Townsville. 

It was also photographed arriving and then parked up for the night also on Bay 6.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 10 July, the RNZAF B757 "Kiwi 313" departed Rockhampton Airport for Auckland.

Finally, also on Wednesday 9 July, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters (believed to be) A15-313 "Stockman 11" and A15-309 "Stockman 12" flew out to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and late this afternoon each returned separately.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 30", which had flown North West from RAAF Base Amberley in the morning with another RAAF KC-30A MRTT "Dragon 31" then turned to go to Townsville, before later flying down from there to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It then returned back to Amberley.

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Steve Vit  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 8 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 421" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and later flew from there to Longreach Airport.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 9 July, VH-PIY "Machflight 421" departed Longreach Airport for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport but due to bad weather it diverted to Bundaberg Airport.

Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN departed Brisbane to Miles Airport and then further to the West.

And Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew home from Brisbane to Mackay Airport.  It appears to have flown South from Mackay Airport to Brisbane last Wednesday 2 July.

Finally, also on Tuesday 8 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 04" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Longreach Airport before flying back to Williamtown.

And Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-313 as "Stockman 11" departed Rockhampton Airport for North before returning later in the day.

Also during the afternoon, another Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman 13" also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

Getting busy in the lead to the official start of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25)!!

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

eair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH Completes Yet Another FIFO Charter Flight to Middlemount Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Monday 7 July, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It was then due to head to Rockhampton Airport but due to fog in the area, it diverted to Emerald Airport before heading back to Hervey Bay Airport.

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And Aircrew Training and Support Diamond DA-20-C1 VH-HXX landed at Gladstone Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Roma Airport and back to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  At the end of the week, on Friday 11 July, the Diamond DA-20 VH-HXX visited Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Archerfield and Bundaberg Airport before then departing to Gayndah Aerodrome and then back to Archerfield.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©