Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules engage with the Gladstone community

With exception to VIP aircraft, an extremely rare sighting at Gladstone is a visit by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) planes needless to say a pair of Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules medium tactical lift cargo aircraft overnighting at the port city on the same evening.   

 

Operated by No.37 Squadron of RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, A97-467 and A97-468 touched down at Gladstone from RAAF Base Williamtown via airwork at Gold Coast on Friday, September 16 and after remaining parked on the upper apron adjacent to the passenger terminal, took to the skies on Saturday, September 17 with two detachments of local Air Force Cadets aboard.

As part of the community engagement exercise, the pair of Hercules flew south to Fraser Island and north to Yeppoon / Capricorn Coast before returning to Gladstone. Upon offloading the passengers (Cadets), it is believed both aircraft flew south to RAAF Base Amberley.