US Air Force – CONTACT magazine

Ahead of Exercise Bushido Guardian, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Forces and United States Air Force fast jets conduct a trilateral activity. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Bushido Guardian launches fast jets in Japan

03/10/202503/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 375 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 3 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 has launched, with F-35A Lightning II jets from 3 Squadron, supported by a 33 Squadron KC-30A

RAAF explosive ordnance disposal technician Flight Sergeant Brian Dick takes part in trench clearance explosives disposal training during the Prairie Fire international skills sharing activity in the United States. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Wing Commander Paul Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Aussie bomb techs dig deep

19/09/202520/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3997 Views 0 Comments EOD, No. 65 Squadron, US Air Force, UXO

The Belgians brought experience clearing explosive remnants of war. CAPTION: RAAF explosive ordnance disposal technician Flight Sergeant Brian Dick takes part

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 5935 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

Clinicians from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), United States Air Force (USAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) lay out medical dummies for an aero-medical evacuation during Exercise Mobility Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photo from NZDF.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Medical care on the fly across Pacific

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5898 Views 0 Comments Exercise Mobility Guardian, No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES), RAF, RNZAF, US Air Force

Affectionately know as the ‘Anzacs’, medical technicians from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) have seamlessly integrated into the

A RAAF EA-18G Growler crew fires an AIM-9X Sidewinder (Block II) missile at a BQM-74E aerial target during Exercise Archer 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo supplied.

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

US joins air and missile defence trials off NSW

19/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3569 Views 0 Comments AIM-9X Sidewinder, Beecroft Weapons Range, Exercise Archer, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force, US Navy

Australian and United States naval and air forces have completed live missile firing and advanced target trials off the NSW

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft technician Corporal Aisha Norton-O'Donnell inspects the advanced refuelling boom system of a 33 Squadron KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft, during air-to-air refuelling trials with the US Air Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by US Air Force.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Air-to-air refuelling trials complete

29/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2090 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed air-to-air refuelling clearance trials with the United States Air Force (USAF) at

A Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and United States Navy P-8A Poseidon’s on the flight line at United States Air Force Kadena Air Base, Japan, during Operation Argos 25-1. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Poseidon on North Korean-sanctions patrol

29/04/202504/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5898 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, Operation Argos, P-8A Poseidon, united Nations Security Council, US Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol crew deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Operation Argos

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon participates in a maritime cooperative activity with Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Akizuki, Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy ship USS Benfold. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Places to go, counterparts to see

05/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2494 Views 0 Comments Exercise La Perouse, HMAS Hobart, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy, US Air Force

The first regional presence deployment (RPD) for 2025 has opened HMAS Hobart to a number of training opportunities with counterparts from

Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot Captain Nakanishi, United States Air Force pilot Lieutenant Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Ryan Turner during Exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos: by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes thrice in Guam

04/03/202505/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2194 Views 0 Comments Andersen AFB, Exercise Cope North, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force, United States Air Force (USAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)

A RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft departs Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 25. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Tankers band together in Guam

25/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3078 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Guam, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Australian, Japanese and American refuelling aircraft have joined forces to feed thirsty fast jets in the skies above Guam. CAPTION: A

A RAAF 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet pilot, weapons systems officer and ground crew member meet for pre-flight checks during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 in Nevada, US. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Enhanced teamwork for technicians in Nevada

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2607 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and

A member from the Republic of Korea Air Force, centre, helps Australian Army air dispatchers Corporal Ryan Cheevers and Private Kurt Matthews prepare a 'bundle' for Operation Christmas Drop 24. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Air dispatchers pack Christmas spirit

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3418 Views 0 Comments Andersen AFB, Army No. 176 Air Dispatch Squadron, No. 37 Squadron, Operation Christmas Drop, Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), US Air Force

A specialist team from Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron has helped bring Christmas cheer to isolated Pacific islands as part

Flight Lieutenant Tom Breadon, of RAAF’s 36 Squadron, briefs mission details before a joint air-drop mission over Alaska. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicole Thomson-Pride. Photos by Senior Airman Mark Sulaica (US Air Force).

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Sky-high teamwork in Alaska

15/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2731 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC), No. 36 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force, US Army

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III took part in a joint air-drop mission over Alaska, which involved about

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force's 33 Squadron meet their counterparts from the Republic of Korea Air Force at Gimhae Air Base during Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Building experience and connections in South Korea

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3436 Views 0 Comments Exercise Freedom Flag, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 114MRCU, Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines

A growing Australian presence at Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1 in the Republic of Korea recently allowed Royal Australian Air Force

A United States Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber takes off at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Spirit of cooperation

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2650 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, US Air Force

A United States Air Force (USAF) Bomber Task Force mission, involving its B-2 Spirit stealth bombers operating out of RAAF

Leading Aircraftman Blake O'Brien stands in front of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber on the RAAF Base Amberley flight line. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by US Air Force

News Royal Australian Air Force

Memorable moment in aviation career

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1748 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Townsville, US Air Force

A promotion is always a significant and unforgettable milestone in any aviator’s career. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftman Blake O’Brien stands in front

(L-R) Lieutenant Colonol Justin Meyer, Master Sergeant Emily Luzum, Debbie Wadwell and Group Captain Paul Jarvis with a shadow box for the Russell family, at RAAF Base Amberley, Qld. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History

B-2 Spirit delivers important overseas mail

13/09/202415/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2037 Views 0 Comments No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, RSL, US Air Force, Vietnam War, WWII

When sending important packages overseas, most people look for a fast and secure carrier – and no other provider can

An aviator marshalls a 75 Squadron F-35A Lightning II at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Photos by Sergeant Hayden Young.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Strengthening international ties on Exercise Red Flag

23/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2759 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

RAAF aircraft and personnel are in Alaska for Exercise Red Flag, a large-scale air-combat exercise hosted by the United States

RAAF Sergeant Aaron Bennet, centre right, with 2 Squadron personnel after cleaning up Billeroy House Community Centre in Darwin. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Blue thumbs help Darwin veterans drop-in centre

23/08/202430/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2302 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Pitch Black, No. 2 Squadron, US Air Force

Although they wore different uniforms, US Air Force, Royal Air Force and RAAF aviators found out they all have a

Personnel from the Australian Joint Positioning, Navigation and Timing Directorate, Joint Capabilities Group and Joint Navigation Warfare Centre align GPS test equipment at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Story by Squadron Leader James Pak and Ricky Bryan. Photos by Senior Airman Spencer Kanar, USAF.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Testing on track to improve GPS

09/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2144 Views 0 Comments Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), US Air Force

In an unassuming corrugated building in New Mexico sits a state-of-the-art facility where Australian and US Defence personnel have teamed

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