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  ©

Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter N137WZ Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 October, Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ was noted back in the region, arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin via all stops including Mount Isa and Longreach Airports.

On Sunday 12 October, N137WZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Caboolture.

I believe that N137WZ headed up to Darwin from Rockhampton in early August.  Not sure what it did up there??

Also on Sunday 12 October, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M was noted Longreach Airport from the North-West.

File photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

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 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLC Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 11 October, Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft V8-DLC popped into Rockhampton Airport again transporting personnel and equipment into Rocky in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

V8-DLC arrived from Brunei and Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4241/3.  It then departed back to Changi and Brunei as RBA4244/6.

Early indications suggest that there will be TWO Royal Brunei Dreamliners at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 14 October with more charters planned after that.

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 Jesseca H for allowing us to share this great photo!

Photo taken by Jesseca Huber  ©

XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 10 October, XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

VH-OTK at Adelaide Airport last month  (File photo)

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 October, VH-OTK departed Hamo and returned to Essendon,

Meanwhile, also on Friday 10 October, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew out from Hedlow Airfield to Tamworth.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 October, VH-RTC returned to Hedlow from Tamworth.

Aircair Aviation (Aircair Helicopters) Cessna 340A VH-MPQ flew up from Moree to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Friday 10 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Mitchel 05" was noted completing two missed approaches at Gladstone Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Gladstone Airport before then returning there via more airwork at Moree.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

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  ©

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

As was speculated, 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 have arrived at Rockhampton Airport to participate in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).  They all flew in direct from RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia as "Singa 3511".

The four F-16s - serials 637, 620, 615 and 629 - are believed to be flown by the RSAF's 140th Squadron "Osprey".

The squadron currently operates 12 F-16C/D Block 52 version Fighting Falcons out of Tengah Air Base in Singapore.  The squadron goes by the motto "Stand Firm in Defence" with the Osprey adopted as its mascot.

As mentioned, all four flew in directly from RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia where over the last few weeks they have been undertaking exercises with fellow RSAF Pilatus PC-21 and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 and British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 training aircraft .  

The F-16s utilised air-to-air refuelling on their cross-country flight from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-006 "Dragon 32" which flew from Perth Airport to RAAF Base Amberley.

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 next 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.

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

All photos taken by Ash Burggraaff  ©

USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ Helicopter N608W Arrives into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 October, a nice arrival in the form of USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ helicopter N608W landed at Gladstone Airport.  It looked to fly down from the Motor Yacht 'Pursuit' via the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, after staying for the night parked at Gladstone Airport, N608W was spotted below still parked before it later departed there and flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 9 October, Gold Coast-based Cessna T337G VH-ZEO departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for its Southport base via Gayndah Aerodrome.  It had flown up to Shute direct from Southport on Sunday 5 October.

Helibiz (Heli Lift) Agusta AW119 MkII Koala helicopter VH-A26 returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from a trip up to Cairns.

And Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY also arrived into Shute Harbour Airport from its Cloncurry base.

Finally, also on Thursday 9 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ  arrived from Archerfield then departed to Cloncurry Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, VH-JSZ returned to Rockhampton Airport from Cloncurry Airport before continuing to Dalby and Archerfield.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and Ranga Rayner  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '730' Departs Rockhampton Airport - But Returns!

On Thursday 9 October, we thought the time had come for The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '730' to head home with it spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Darwin as 'SAF9572'.

However, it seems that the flight to the top end was just a cargo pick-up with the Herc returning back to Rockhampton Airport from Darwin again as 'SAF9572'.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, amongst all the excitement of the RSAF F-16 arrival, Hercules '730' resumed flying sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as "Rider" as a part of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) which continues this month and wraps up in early 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/

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

USA Registered Cirrus Design Corp SR22T N23JA Spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Wednesday 8 October, American-registered Cirrus Design Corp SR22T N23JA was spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

It flew into Shute Harbour after flying across from Darwin and Normanton. It then flew down to the Gold Coast.  It appears N23JA arrived into Australia from overseas the previous day.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend, N23JA departed the Gold Coast and finished up at Ardmore in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 8 October, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying down to Maryborough Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAT as "Bomber 288" and VH-XAJ as "Bomber 455" landed at Bundaberg Airport flying up together from Watts Bridge.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI as 'ZD440' has been operating out of Gladstone Airport.

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS flew into Mackay Airport from Cairns and then departed to Kowanyama and then back to Cairns.

And end of school holiday charter flights have starting ferrying students back to school from locations in Far North Queensland including National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8QA which arrived into Rockhampton Airport late on Tuesday as 'NJE443' arrived from Horn Island and Cairns.  On Wednesday afternoon, it departed Rocky back to Horn Island as 'NJE444'.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©