Royal Australian Air Force fighter jets flying in formation over Port Stephens is a common sight but what was spotted on Thursday afternoon had people turning to social media.
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Plane spotters took to community pages on Facebook to ask if anyone knew why three jets and what looked like a passenger plane were flying together over the area about 1pm.
The Examiner contacted the RAAF seeking an answer to that question.
A Defence spokesperson said the large plane was an Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, which is a modified Airbus A330 passenger jet.
It was flying with three F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets from RAAF Base Williamtown as part of a training exercise.
The Defence spokesperson said: "An Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport has been down from RAAF Base Amberley today, flying with local Hornet fighter jets.
"The KC-30A type is a modified Airbus A330 passenger jet, rigged to refuel other military aircraft in flight via a boom under the tail or two drogues mounted in the wings."
The KC-30A can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes and transfer part of that load to compatible aircraft including F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, E-7A Wedgetails, C-17A Globemaster III and other KC-30As.
It is also compatible with refuelling P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, F-35A Lightning II, and foreign aircraft such as the F-16C Fighting Falcon and B-1B Lancer.
