Talisman Sabre 09

[Gerard M]

Found some info on another forum and hereby acknowledge its origin and poster of information, if any of you guys are interested.

6-26 July

Looks like there will be plenty to see for people on the top end! Hope someone there is able to get some pics when it eventually comes around

I'm now tossing up whether to go to townsville for the thunderbirds(?) or head up to darwin for a week?. I'd be looking forward to see the F'15s do what they did at Williamtown last year! Chest rattling!

TS09 Draft Basing / Participation

Darwin

8 x RAAF F-18

12 x USAF F-15C

6 x USAF KC-135

1 x USAF E3 AWACS

2 x USN COD

2 x USN HH-60H

C-17 / C-130 Transits

Tindal

8 x RAAF F-111

12 x RAAF F-18

1 C-130

2 x USAF C-17

C-17 / C-130 Transits

Townsville

2 x RAAF P-3

2 x RAAF DH4

1 x USN P-3

12 x USMC F-18

2 x USMC KC-130

C-17 / C-130 / KC-10 Transits

Rocky

2 x RAAF DH4

2 x USN MH-53E

C-17 / C-130 Transits

Amberley

C-17 / C-130 Transits

Richmond

6 x RAAF C-130

2 x USAF C-130J

2 x USAF HC-130

1 x USAF C-130E

Andersen (Guam)

2 x USAF B-52 participating

[andrew evans]

Looks good a couple of trips to Richmond sound good during this time.

[Gerard M]

Richmond should be good for sure. I'll be on hols then too so anytime suits me! Just wish i could find out when things will start moving through there that's all.

[Martin E]

If Pitch Black is anything to go by, it'll be great. Was more Aircraft at Pitch Black however.

[Craig Murray]

Official website for the Exercise is:

http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/ts09/index.htm

Over the course of a weekend spent in Rocky during TS07 there were some fantastic movements. The highlight for me were the CH-46 Sea Knights!

There were 2 x Greyhounds from the US Navy (USS Kittyhawk) and 2 KC-130's from the US Marine Corps based at the airport for the duration of the exercise and we were told there had been countless other US and RAAF movements.

We're heading up for a week this time around and my hope is that I'll finally get to see a CH-53 Sea Stallion in action and from the local forces some Caribou movements would be ace. Any helo movements would be viewed favourably!

Brisbane was a hive of activity during TS07 with 3 x KC-135 and 1 x E-3 Sentry based out of the old International apron area. There were also ad hoc movements by other US military types both prior, during and post Exercise. All aircraft fly daily with the E-3 generally departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon around sunset.

Williamtown, from memory, was home to a USN Orion that made the daily trek North to be part of the goings on.

I have no doubt that this thread will grow in size and be one of the most informative and interesting for this year.

[Gerard M]

Any idea when we can start seeing some movements up the top end and if any along the east coast with it being under a month till kick-off now?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I was going to make a comment about movements usually happening at the bottom end, but thought better of it...oops too late!

The foreign stuff should start arriving in the week before the exercise kicks off. RAAF Hornets and Pigs should start ramping up before that as they have famil flights over the exercise areas and practice blue force package flying.

[Gerard M]

Thanks Andrew. I'll wait a little while longer then.



The foreign stuff should start arriving in the week before the exercise kicks off.

Do they normally fly in direct to say Amberley and the other northern bases or will they use places like Brisbane/Richmond/Williamtown as fuel stops from Hawaii?

[andrew evans]

Hey Gerard when you decide what dates you want to head out give me a yell and if i am off i will come out.Thanks Andrew

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Do they normally fly in direct to say Amberley and the other northern bases or will they use places like Brisbane/Richmond/Williamtown as fuel stops from Hawaii?

As Craig said above, you'll see some of the heavier metal at airports and air bases throughout the exercise. They won't refuel when coming "from" Hawaii or wherever, but they might on the way home if they're really heavy.

[Gerard M]

Hey Gerard when you decide what dates you want to head out give me a yell and if i am off i will come out.Thanks Andrew

No problem Andrew. When i can find out when things will start moving through Richmond then i'll let you know when i'm thinking of heading out.

[Gerard M]

Well, the only update i seem to have is that there appears to be one USN Herc in Brisbane and that some of the ships are on their way to Australia at the moment. Here is a pic of USS Essex, Denver and Tortuga stocking up before they departed Japan this week. They are en-route now.

Link (http://www.marines.mil/units/marforpac/iiimef/31stmeu/PublishingImages/June%202009/090615-N-7843A-037.JPG)

Anyone else know of anything happening considering it getting rather close now.

Cheers
Gerard

[Craig Murray]

Speaking of the USN Herc currently in Brisbane, it is C-130T with the serial 164993. Pic follows for your perusal:

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/C_130T_164993_BRISBANE_21JUN09.jpg

[Gerard M]

Cheers Craig. Hopefully you and the other people in Brisbane will keep us well informed and filled with pictures over the time, was kinda hoping to make it up there but i already blew my K. Dudd bonus already.

[Gerard M]

For anyone that is going to be in the Rockhampton area on July 5, the council along with the Australian and U.S defence forces are holding a TS-09 open day. Between 1pm and 6pm in the local streets (see attached link for details).
2:30pm at Riverside Park there will be a Caribou flypast. Followed by a flypast of the F-111 complete with Dump and Burn display at 5:30 in the same location.
Get in and see these two aircraft whilst you still can i reckon! Times not on their side anymore.
http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/common/pages/display/showarticle.aspx?id=16709

Anyone know of any aircraft movements for TS yet?

Cheers
Gerard

[Greg W.]

Anyone else know of anything happening considering it getting rather close now.

Cheers
Gerard

The USS Essex and Tortuga came to Cairns as Townsville was too busy in port. Today I was lucky enought to get a hookup for a tour.

Here are some pics from the flight deck. A close up look at the Harriers was pretty cool.

[Craig Murray]

flypast of the F-111 complete with Dump and Burn display at 5:30

The two F-111's departed Amberley at 1530, I believe they also did a fly past of the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra at 1600.

A8-125 and A8-142 were the aircraft involved in todays flight utilising the callsign Savage 1 (A8-125) and Savage 2 (A8-142). A8-125 is of note as it was the first F-111 to arrive in Australia in 1973. I believe this aircraft will go to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook upon retirement.

C-17 A41-207 was also operating some flights, presumably for cadets, down to the Gold Coast and back as Stallion 60.

Some pictures of the movements follow, they aren't great but they suffice to document the event.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/album01/A41_207_STL60_050709.jpg

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/album01/A41_207_STL60_050709_2.jpg

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/album01/A8_125_SAV1_050709.jpg

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/album01/A8_142_SAV2_050709.jpg

[Gerard M]

As Peter mentioned in the other thread, a USAF Herc was in the Richmond area this evening. It is from Moody AFB's 71st Rescue Squadron. It is one of three HC-130P's Combat Kings that this squadron is sending to Australia for TS09 along with 53 supporting airmen.
http://www.moody.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123156940&page=2

Regards

Great shots above Craig.

[Paul Hunter]

Noticed Wombat 54 on radar yesterday arvo enroute Rockhampton-Nowra.

Must be one of the last flights for the Caribou.

Regards.

[Craig Murray]

Thanks for that tidbit Paul, much appreciated. I'm hoping there are some Caribou based in Rocky for the exercise and this sort of verifies that this might be the case.

[Paul Hunter]

No worries Craig,

Saw Wombat 54 this morning on radar heading back Nowra-Amberley.

Regards.

[Craig Murray]

65-0986 (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5999485) is currently inbound from Rockhampton for Richmond.

[Mark T]

I am thing about visiting Richmond tomorrow (Sat morning). Is there likely to be any activity? I would appreciate any advice.

Cheers
Mark

[andrew evans]

That is a good question.
Does anyone know if the Exercise include the weekend.

[Gerard M]

Looks as though the other two HC-130P's have arrived. Picked up King 21 - 64-14852 along with King 16 - unknown rego SBS AE1219 up North from the 71st rescue squadron. I think these are three of the Hercs that are going to be based out of Richmond and from what i can gather they seem to be transiting up and down daily at the moment as Craig mentioned earlier. Has anyone got any photos of these birds at Richmond or further north yet?

[andrew evans]

Not yet Gerard I will be heading out late next week with camera in hand.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Popped out to RIC this morning. All 3 USAF 'Kings' were there.
Need to confirm that one was 63-9810 C130E which also belongs to 71st RQS and could be Hex code AE1219. 65-0986 has moved to the flight line whereas 64-14852 and 63-9810 are parked near the terminal.

I expect they will probably flying during the week so will keep a lookout on Mode-S.

[Mick.B]

F-15s arrived at Darwin at 4.30pm today

[Gerard M]

Thanks for the regos of the hercs Peter. I noticed that King 21( 64-14852 which i cant find a picture on the net of anywhere) flew up to Queensland Rocky and back again this afternoon/evening. So i guess Andrew there might be some flying activity on the weekends from Richmond if they are transitting up and back all the time.

Did you manage to get any photos Peter?

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Sorry Gerard, no photos as they were parked in 'non-photegenic' positions.

As a rule I don't push my luck with mil photos out there as I used to work on the base and photo's are taboo.

[Jeff T]

Peter, are you allowed to take shots of them in the air,Take off's and Landings, from the road that runs along side the base?..........I know they are pretty strict with anything on the ground in the Base, but was wondering about anything in the air?

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Jeff, I meant to say - on the ground. Of course there are exceptions during Air shows and Open days etc.

Having said that I saw a few people (incl uniformed!) taking the odd shot on base.

I was there for almost 4 years and had lots of oppurunity to 'break the rules' but didn't. Just not worth the hastle especially after getting security clearance to actually work where I did.

Once they're in the air - different story. Just need to get the position right depending on runway in use.

Peter

[Jeff T]

Thanks Peter,

No worries mate, yep I took it that you meant on the ground:), but since taking up Spotting as a hobby I haven't been out to Richmond yet, and I was wondering what the situation was when they were in the air as well, whether or not you still got into trouble for taking shots.

I have a day off tomorrow, but have some buisness to attend to in the morning, but I might try and get out to Richmond in the afternoon if everything goes alright.

Thanks again for the info Peter!

Jeff.

[andrew evans]

Jeff from what I am lead to believe is that you are not allowed to take photo's of government buildings.So if the plane is in the air or ground but you still have the hangers in the back ground that is a no no but if the aircraft is well in the air and free from any buildings that is OK. I have been there many times with no problem's you just need to show a bit of discretion around the base.

[Jeff T]

Thanks a lot for clarifying that Andrew!......much appreciated.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Nathan Long]

Defence Act 1903 - Section 82 (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/cth/consol_act/da190356/s82.html?query=^defence%20act%201903%20section%208 2)

[Gerard M]

Another Richmond movement today. A C-17 Reach 1822, 07-7187 (http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/2/8/4/16884_1244235482.jpg). From Charleston AFB. Not sure whether it is coming or going.

Regards

Is anyone heading out to Richmond today?

King 21 - 64-14852 (AE1221) is up again.

[andrew evans]

Just had king21 come up on PP it looks like it is in Brisbane somewhere.

[Gerard M]

My guess is it headed up to Rocky again, looks like it is almost doing this run daily now.

[Gerard M]

And King 21 is back into YSRI again. Has anyone able to get any photos of it yet, of course making sure that they don't get themselves imprisoned for taking photos of the base structures.

[Nigel C]

Another Richmond movement today. A C-17 Reach 1822, 07-7187 (http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/2/8/4/16884_1244235482.jpg). From Charleston AFB. Not sure whether it is coming or going.

Regards



This bird is parked at the Northern Pond YSSY.

[KrishnaM]

Any idea how long it will be there I would love to catch it this afternoon after work.

thanx..

[Nigel C]

You'll see it this afternoon.;)

[Nick W.]

looks kinda small compared to the A380 parked behind it. Nice little surprise to watch during lunch!

[phil.l]

Have you heard a departure time Nigel?

[Nigel C]

No, sorry. All I asked was whether it'd be departing today.

[KrishnaM]

Unfortunatly the fence is in the way of a good photo went out there this afternoon. amazing how small it looks next to the A380

[Tim Bowrey]

No, sorry. All I asked was whether it'd be departing today.

Can you please ask when it will be departing? Its still sitting at the pond almost no way for a nicely lit photo.

[Gerard M]

Richard G on jetspotter posted some great shots of it next to the A380. Looks great!
Any idea where it came from or going to Nigel?

http://www.jetspotter.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=72360#72360
(Just scroll up till you see it)
Cheers

[Nick W.]

Tim, just had a look and it's still at the pond, not much going on near it at all, so no idea when it'll head off.

N

[Nigel C]

Apologies Tim. I've been at a conference at Bankstown Town Hall for most of the day so haven't had a chance to ask anyone. I won't be back until tomorrow night.

Gerard, according to your own previous post, it came from Richmond. As for departure details I usually don't ask where or when it's going, however given it appears to have made the short hop from Richmond to Sydney (I understand it refuelled at Sydney on Monday) I think it's fair to assume it's next flight will be long haul and it requires the longer runway. Hickam AFB at Honolulu or maybe Okinawa or Guam would be a fair guess?

[Paul Hunter]

Departed this morning to Hickham Air Base, Hawaii.

Regards.

[Gerard M]

There are some great pictures of the USAF F-15s on the defence website here (http://defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/ts09/gallery/20090716b/index.htm)from Darwin and see Andrew Evans pics of the USAF C-130s from the 71st Rescue Squadron here (http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=2955&page=13) for anyone who hasn't seen them yet.

[andrew evans]

KING 30 Departed at 0910 today
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3728441942_7cdfcb2d1d_b.jpg

[Jeff T]

Nice one Andrew!.......and great shots in the thread that Gerard linked to as well, especially the Prop Vapour and the Shark Mouth C-130, I haven't seen one with that on before.


Cheers,
Jeff.

[Gerard M]

Second that one Jeff. Once again great shots andrew.

Can anyone explain what all the extra lumps and bumps are on the top of the hercs and under the nose?

[damien b]

The forward "bump" just forward of the nose langing gear looks like a infra red camera. The rest of the antenna on the fuselage are for HF, VHF, UHF, ELT and TACAN. Just below the upper cockpit window is a set of radar and IR warning sensors to detect SAM launches.

[Gerard M]

thanks damien. Any ideas on what the black dome is on top of king 32 in the other thread is. Its forward of the wings.

[damien b]

Yeap - its a SKE antenna. Station Keeping Equipment, used for mass formation flying i.e. paradrops or the like. Alot of USAF C-130's have it fitted.

[Craig Murray]

I spent last week in Rockhampton with fellow board member Dave Knudsen and was impressed with the variety of both Aussie and US Military hardware on offer.

Following are a few very quickly edited shots for your perusal. The highlight, seeing both an MH-53 and CH-53. The lowlight...... having to come home!

Here's a snap of 63-9810 arriving as King 32 on Wednesday afternoon.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/C_130E_63_9810_ROCKHAMPTON_15JUL09.jpg

MH-53E Sea Dragon operated by HM-14 arriving as Vulcan 546 after a TS09 related sortie.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/MH_53E_164769_ROCKHAMPTON_15JUL09.jpg

King 30 arrives in fading light on Rwy 33.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/HC_130P_64_14852_ROCKHAMPTON_13JUL09.jpg

Canforce 404 departs off Rwy 33 for the HMCS Winnipeg.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/CH_124_12404_ROCKHAMPTON_14JUL09.jpg

Sumo 12 blasts off from Rwy 33 on a air to air refuelling sortie.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/KC_130J_167926_ROCKHAMPTON_14JUL09.jpg

Wombat 27 arrives late in the afternoon on Rwy 15.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/DHC_4_A4_275_ROCKHAMPTON_14JUL09.jpg

Tiger 20 arrives from the USS Essex.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/CH_53E_165244_ROCKHAMPTON_15JUL09.jpg

Stallion 10 departs from Rwy 33 after a short stop in Rocky on a training mission.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/C_17A_A41_209_ROCKHAMPTON_15JUL09.jpg

1 part of a 2 ship formation of CH-46E's using the callsign Dragon 10 back to the USS Essex.

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Talsiman-Saber-2009/CH_46E_157722_ROCKHAMPTON_16JUL09.jpg

[Gerard M]

Fantastic photos Craig, thanks for posting indeed. Am i mistaken or does it look like the artwork off an A-10 on the front of King 32???

Has anyone been keeping track of what hercs are still at Richmond. I left my dog out that way and need to go pick it up and thought id pop out tomorrow avo if there were some still there?

[Nathan Long]

Gerard,

King 32 is part of the 71st Rescue Squadron, which is part of the 347th Rescue Group, which is in turn part of the 23rd Wing. The 23rd Wing carries the history of the 23rd Fighter Group ("The Flying Tigers" of WWII), hence the FT (Flying Tigers) tailcode and shark mouth nose art.

[andrew evans]

Thanks for that Nathan I did try and look that up but ended up being confused.

[Craig Murray]

I've just been doing some research on one of the Hercs operated by the 71st Rescue Squadron that's currently here in Australia.

For the history buffs, 64-14852 is the very first C-130H produced back in 1964! 45 years old and still looking an absolute treat!

[Craig Murray]

As TS09 wraps up for another two years I've gathered a few of my shots from Brisbane (1) and Rockhampton (All others!) into a little gallery for you to peruse.

TS09 Images (http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/Talsiman-Saber-2009)

Highlight, clearly the MH-53 Sea Dragons from HM-14. Lowlight, being outgunned on every shot by my nameless partner in imagery who was packing a 5D MkII to ensure every airframe rivet was captured in extreme detail :D

[Grahame Hutchison]

Enjoyed your images Craig, nice work.