Another Pair of US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus An Australian Army Blackhawk

On Tuesday 2 July, two more of the 13 helicopters of the United States Army (US Army) that have deployed to Central Queensland to participate in joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19) were photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying up from their holding yard at the Gladstone Port.

Sikorsky UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter (90-)26292 looked to fly up and land at Rockhampton Airport before returning back down to Gladstone a short time later.

26292 later returned to Rockhampton Airport and took up a parking position adjacent to Runway 04/22.

Fellow Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter (13-)20577 then also flew into Rockhampton Airport also from Gladstone.  It was being prepared for an overnight stay.

As mentioned previously, five Boeing AH-64E Apache and eight Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were unloaded from a ship at the Gladstone Port during the last week.  Their rotor blades were re-attached and test flights were conducted before they started flying up to Rockhampton Airport over the weekend.

Research reveals these 13 helicopters are of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, USA.

The UH-60M Blackhawks are of the 2nd Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment 'Warhawks', while the UH-60L Blackhawks are of the 1st Battalion 52nd Aviation Regiment.  The AH-64E Apaches are of the 1st Battalion 229th Aviation Regiment.  Altogether, they have formed Task Force 'Tigershark'.

Finally, it's also worth mentioning that as the US Army Blackhawk helicopters arrived into Rockhampton Airport late on Tuesday 2 July, as shown above, so too did Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopter A25-102 which touched down from the South as "Disco 102".

After taking on fuel, it continued further North to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

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

Photos taken by Daniel Bishop and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules NZ7004 Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 2 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules NZ7004 was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley as "Kiwi 736".

After a very short time on the ground - too short for any local plane spotters to make it to Rockhampton Airport - the Herc departed to Townsville - where it was photographed above arriving onto their Runway 01.

Of interest, the RNZAF No.40 Squadron currently operates five Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, taking delivery of the first three (NZ7001, NZ7002 & NZ7003) in 1965, followed by a further two (NZ7004 & NZ7005) in 1969.  The aircraft have undergone a modernisation and structural improvement programme to ensure that they last until 2025, where, it was recently announced that they would be replaced by Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft.

Further, it is believed that the Royal New Zealand Navy multi-role vessel, HMNZS Canterbury will dock at Gladstone Port later this week.  As with previous Exercise Talisman Sabre war-games, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters are being ferried across from New Zealand on board the ship, along with vehicles and other equipment to support the New Zealand Defence Force's participation in this years Ex Talisman Sabre (TS19).

Photos taken by James Kirk and 'Shinpow16'  ©

Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-021 "Warhorse 9" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 2 July, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-021 was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.  It had earlier arrived from Townsville and was heard to use the radio callsign of "Warhorse 9".

After taking on fuel, A40-021 departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, the Australian Army has issued a 'noise alert' for residents between Townsville and Mackay.  There will be an increased volume of helicopters flying in this area during the month of July with Australian defence Force (ADF) activities possibly seeing up to 15 helicopters operating simultaneously, during the day and night.

The training is a part of the upcoming joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19).

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Transport Aircraft 09-9210 Arrives into Rockhampton Airport as "Reach 363"

Arriving into Rockhampton Airport after dark on Monday 1 July was United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft 09-9210.  It reportedly touched down direct from Guam flying as "Reach 363".

After spending the night parked on Northern Military Hardstand at Rockhampton Airport, it was photographed above and below early on Tuesday 2 July.

This Globemaster has possibly come to Rocky with parts to 'rescue' fellow USAF C-17A Globemaster 99-0168 which arrived into Rockhampton Airport late on Sunday 30 June as "Trek 24" and had reportedly broken down.  It remains parked on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron.

Of interest, 99-0168 is flown by The 62nd Airlift Wing (62 AW) stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Finally, it's also worth noting perhaps too that earlier on Monday 1 July, fellow USAF C-17A Globemaster III 05-5147 as "Trek 68" was noted departing RAAF Base Amberley for Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii after it arrived the previous day.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters 'IAD', Scott H and Trevor H for taking the time to capture and send through this quick photo - more later!

Photos taken by 'IAD', Scott Harris and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Another US Army Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter (13-)20592 Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More Photos of the Blackhawks and Apaches at the Gladstone Port

This post has been UPDATED with a photo.

A quieter day on Monday 1 July, with one more of the 13 helicopters of the United States Army (US Army) flying up from the Gladstone Port to Rockhampton Airport.  They are in Queensland to participate in joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19).

Only Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter (13-)20592 looked to fly up to Rockhampton Airport from the Gladstone Port with it taking up a parking position alongside the other eight seven Blackhawk and Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters which have arrived over the previous couple of days - see Blog posts below.

UPDATE!   (13-)20592 was photographed above early on Tuesday 2 July.

As we also posted below, five Boeing AH-64E Apache and eight Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were unloaded from a ship at the Gladstone Port during the last week.  Their rotor blades were re-attached and test flights were conducted before they started flying up to Rockhampton Airport over the weekend.

Research reveals these 13 helicopters are of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, USA.

The UH-60M Blackhawks are of the 2nd Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment 'Warhawks', while the UH-60L Blackhawks are of the 1st Battalion 52nd Aviation Regiment.  The AH-64E Apaches are of the 1st Battalion 229th Aviation Regiment.  Altogether, they have formed Task Force 'Tigershark'.

Meanwhile, down at the Gladstone Port, the remaining Blackhawks and Apaches remain in their secure compound, along with some other ground equipment and vehicles.  It is expected that some more, or all, of these will position to Rockhampton Airport in the coming days.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their information and photos to be able to prepare this post!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Russell Prothero  ©

USMC Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168075 "Sumo 91" Completes 10-hour Flight in Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA)

On Monday 1 July, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168075 (Tail Code QD-8075) of the Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) was noted completing a 10-hour flight from and back to RAAF Base Amberley that saw them spend much of that time flying within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Sumo 91".

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 July, and of the second day in-a-row, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-465 noted visiting Williamson Airfield which is also within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

It looked to arrive from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia (where it departed to the previous day) and then later depart to RAAF Base Richmond again as "Trojan 53".

Isle of Man-registered Piaggio P-180 Avanti II M-ETAL Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus a few Weekend GA Visitors!

On Monday 1 July, Isle of Man-registered but Australian-based Piaggio P-180 Avanti II M-ETAL was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to fly up from the Sunshine Coast.

M-ETAL at Bundaberg Airport  (File photo)

M-ETAL appears to have flown to the Sunny Coast from Sydney over the weekend.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 July, M-ETAL departed Hamilton Island Airport for Normanton.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, on Sunday 30 June, a couple of other small corporate turboprop aircraft were noted at remote parts with Pegasus Air Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-JMU flying into Barcaldine Airport from Bankstown.  It later departed to Dinah Island, Normanton and the Gold Coast.

While Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD was noted visiting my local Clermont Aerodrome from its Toowoomba base.

Finally, back in the Whitsundays, also on Sunday 30 June, Guardian Offshore (of Darwin) Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) BO 105 S CBS - 4 helicopter VH-JYS was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

VH-JYS appears to be hangared at Townsville and has been seen also at Mackay Airport in recent months.

Of interest, VH-JYS was previously operated in the USA as N70EG and in the 1990s was used to complete radiological dust surveys over the Nevada nuclear test sites!  (The things you find with a little bit of research!)

Photos taken by Samuel Felgate and Leroy  ©

Divair (New South Wales) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-NNE Spotted at Mackay Airport

On Monday 1 July, Divair Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-NNE was spotted resting quietly on the Western General Aviation Apron (WGA) at Mackay Airport.  It appears to have earlier arrived from its Orange Airport base in New South Wales.

After spending much of the day on the ground, VH-NNE looked to depart Mackay Airport and return to Orange.

Nice!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Arrives into Biloela / Thangool Airport - UPDATED!

On Monday 1 July, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in CQ, this time landing at Biloela / Thangool Airport after flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.

VH-MMC taxiing at the Sunshine Coast  (File photo)

At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

It also appears that VH-MMC was in CQ on Sunday 30 June with it noted completing at least one missed approach Gladstone Airport on a flight from and back to its Sunshine Coast base.

UPDATE! On Wednesday 3 July, VH-MMC departed Biloela / Thangool Airport for Emerald Airport.

UPDATE! On Thursday 4 July, VH-MMC returned home to the Sunshine Coast from Emerald Airport.

Sincere thanks to the Sunshine Coast Plane Spotting Facebook page for allowing us to share their great photo of VH-MMC!

PNG-Registered MBB MBB-BK117 B-2 Helicopter P2-TAH Passes Through Gladstone and Mackay Airports - Updated with a Photo!

On Monday 1 July, Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered MBB MBB-BK117 B-2 helicopter P2-TAH was noted passing through Gladstone and Mackay Airports while on a ferry flight North.

https://www.tah.com.pg/

P2-TAH looked to arrive into Gladstone Airport from Redcliffe before it then continued to Mackay Airport and ports North onwards to PNG.  It had flown North from Bankstown via Port Macquarie and Balina / Byron Gateway Airports on Friday 30 June.

It is believed that this chopper has c/n 7504 and previously operated in England for the The East Anglian Air Ambulance Service as G-RESC.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

Anyone with more information?

UPDATE!  P2-TAH has been delivered to Tribal Aurora Helicopters based at Port Moresby.

UPDATE!  Sadly, we have learned that just over two months since after its arrival into PNG, on Friday 13 September, P2-TAH failed to arrive at Tokua Airport while on a flight from Buka Airport.  Wreckage of the helicopter was subsequently located approximately 0.9 nm seaward of the coast about 4 nm south east of Silur Mission.  Of the two persons on board, sadly the pilot was killed.

Our thoughts and prayers with those and the families of those involved in the crash.