Spectaculr RAAF Air-to-Air Refeulling with KC-30A MRTT A39-004 "Dragon 10" and C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 16" Over Parts of CQ - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 8 January, many people saw and captured the spectacular sight of two heavy Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport aircraft flying in close quarters and then eventually completing air-to-air refuelling exercises over parts of Central Queensland.

The two aircraft were identified as RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 as "Dragon 10" and RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 16".

After they both earlier departed RAAF Base Amberley, they looked to rendezvous near Bundaberg and looked to fly together up the CQ Coast over Gladstone and Rockhampton before they both returned South, separated, and then both returned to Amberley.

Spectacular!

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 8 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 20" was noted completing airwork around Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 15" Completes Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was spotted completing airwork, including several missed approaches at both Rockhampton Airport and then Maryborough Airport.

The Globemaster departed from RAAF Base Amberley and completed airwork there before then flying up to Rocky.  It then completed airwork at Rockhampton Airport and then flew down to complete more airwork at Maryborough Airport before returning to Amberley for yet more airwork before eventually landing.

A41-207 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 15".

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 10" was noted completing airwork at Kingaroy Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Later, fellow C-27J Spartan A34-008 as "Wallaby 13" was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while also on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter John L for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 35" Spotted Completing a Missed Approach at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was spotted completing a missed approach at Emerald Airport.

The massive transport aircraft was flying as "Stallion 35" and looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley. It then departed to complete more airwork at the Sunshine Coast before returning to the Sunshine Coast.

Of interest, fellow RAAF C-17A Globemaster A41-213 as "Stallion 10" overflew Emerald about the same time while flying down from Townsville to Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 19 December, RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 36" flew up from Brisbane to complete a missed approach at Cairns before then flying down to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport and then head back to Amberley.

Finally, also on Thursday 19 December, RAAF Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 33" landed at Bundaberg from Canberra then departed to Townsville.  It then flew back to the nation's capital.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Many Photos as 4 USAF and 1 RAAF C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft all Call Into Rockhampton Airport on Sunday - Plus More!

It was very hectic morning at Rockhampton airport on Sunday 25 August as five massive Globemaster transport aircraft all called into Rockhampton Airport to transport personnel and equipment out to RAAF Base Amberley.

Four United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transports of the 7th Airlift Squadron, 62nd Airlift Wing, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Washington, USA all flew down from Townsville in fairly quick succession.

The first to arrive was 08-8202 as "Sound 11".

It was followed by 08-8201 as "Sound 12" and arrived as the first C-17 departed Rockhampton Airport for Amberley.

Then making a spectacular arrival was a flight of two USAF C-17s 10-0218 and 08-8912 - flying as "Sound 21" and "Sound 22" respectively.

Meanwhile, arriving after all the USAF aircraft was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 which arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Amberley as "Stallion 80".

It was the final aircraft to leave Rockhampton Airport and like the four USAF C-17s, it loaded personnel and equipment and also departed to Amberley.

Of interest, it is believed the visit, and indeed the deployment of the four USAF C-17s from McChord AFB to Townsville is in support of Operation Kenny's Return (OKR).  The Operation will run across the U.S. Indo-Pacific region and involves joint and coalition manoeuvres with representatives from the U.S. Army's Corps, Pacific Air Forces, United States Transportation Command Joint Communication Service Element, as well as units assigned to the U.S. Space Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army.

The USAF C-17s arrived last week and have been noted completing flights mostly up to Far North Queensland - and to RAAF Base Scherger - as well as local flights around Townsville.

It’s great to see them here!

Finally, one other military visitor to Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 25 August, was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-003 as "Kaos 57".

It too flew down from Townsville to Rocky and completed three touch-and-go approaches before landing for some time.  It later also departed to Amberley.

Of interest, and as mentioned below, A34-003 as "Kaos 57" flew in company with fellow C-27J Spartan A34-001 as "Mongrel 54" up to Townsville at the start of last week from Amberley via airwork at Rolleston Aerodrome.  The two Spartans have been noted completing flights out of Townsville to locations in and around Collinsville and Charters Towers and then back to Townsville over the last few days.

Certainly an exciting and hectic morning of action at Rockhampton Airport and we thank local plane spotters John L and Trevor H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the action!

Photos taken by John Lee and Trevor Hardsman  ©️