No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron – CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Corporal Matthew Vella, an explosive ordnance disposal assistant from 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron (65ABRS), assesses a Mark 82 bomb with a snake eye tail fin at airstrip at the Townsville Field Training Area. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

New foundations for airfield recovery in Australia

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5944 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bronze Crocodile, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Townsville Field Training Area, US Air Force

A patch of bushland within Townsville Field Training Area is at the heart of a new airbase resilience capability for

Read more

An F-35A tests the Dura-Base matting during the two-week trial of the temporary surface at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by John Noble.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

RAAF trials new airfield-extending surface mats

26/11/202428/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3412 Views 0 Comments Dura-Base, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Innovation in the Royal Australian Air Force is helping generate and deliver effective air power in Australia’s north with a

Read more

World War 2 RAAF veteran Cyril Rothall, who served with 3 Airfield Construction Squadron, celebrates his 100th birthday. Photo by Nicholas Gunn.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

WWII veteran ‘Flying Shovel’ celebrates centenary

26/11/202404/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1682 Views 0 Comments No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

On November 16, several RAAF Base Edinburgh aviators, including an airfield engineer, shared in the 100th birthday celebrations of a

Read more

Air Force's Corporal Anthony Holmes, left, Leading Aircraftman Matthew Park and Leading Aircraftman Ryan Wilson operate a concrete-cutting saw at Basa Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Balikatan. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Nations work together to keep runways open

15/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2765 Views 0 Comments Exercise Balikatan, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron

A team from RAAF’s 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron took a lead role in airfield damage repair training during Exercise

Read more

RAAF carpenter Leading Aircraftman Matthew Kunde and a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines plan the fitting of plaster to the roof of a newly constructed classroom at St Augustine School, San Fernando, during Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Building friendships in the Philippines

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2278 Views 0 Comments Exercise Balikatan, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, Philippine Air Force, US Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force tradespeople have worked together with their counterparts from the Philippine Air Force and United States Air

Read more

News Royal Australian Air Force

UXO demolition needs steady hands

17/11/202321/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2340 Views 0 Comments EOD, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), UXO

Disposing of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on an air weapons range is no small feat, and requires skilled technicians from across

Read more

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft under a temporary aircraft revetment, which is being trialled at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Hiding aircraft in plain sight

31/10/202301/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2878 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), Defence Strategic Review, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Air Combat Group (ACG) trialled a temporary shelter to protect and conceal aircraft from explosives and surveillance at RAAF Base

Read more

From left, RAAF engineer and interpreter Flight Lieutenant Burentogtokh Altantsetseg, Mongolian Armed Forces Lieutenant Tsendendamba, RAAF engineer Warrant Officer Andrew Warmington and US Pacific Air Force Staff Sergeant Reginald Madison discuss renovation planning at the Tsenser community hospital in Arkhangai State, Central Mongolia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF engineers build strong links in Mongolia

01/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2084 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pacific Angel, Mongolia, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, US Air Force

Seven aviators from the Royal Australian Air Force deployed on a civil-engineering program in central Mongolia as part of Exercise

Read more

Royal Australian Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technician Sergeant Troy Garland from 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron prepares to conduct a simulated improvised explosive device training drill at RAAF Base Curtin, Western Australia, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Ready to act on suspicion

11/08/202311/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2774 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Curtin

It’s a small thought that many people might have had at some point – ‘that bag’s been left alone a

Read more