Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

Members of the public have a close look at an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank at the Gallipoli Barracks Open Day 2023. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Defence Open Day’s Purpose

19/05/2025 Greg Jarosch 471 Views 0 Comments

Dear Contact Editor. Open days such as at Simpson Barracks are always thought provokers for some visitors, civilians, but it

An M1A2 Abrams tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 14 November 2024. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

What Will the Chief of Army’s Reply be?

17/05/202517/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 839 Views 1 Comment

The following is the letter I sent to Lieutenant General Simon Stuart on 10 May 2025: “Dear General, I have

Editor's Vlog

Chiseling a hole in the floor of my upstairs shed

17/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 711 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

This week I chisel out the concrete at the top of what will be a shaft between my upstairs and

Commanding Officer HMAS Cape Schanck Lieutenant Commander Christopher Wardle is piped across the gangway for the first time during a Commissioning ceremony held at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, Northern Territory. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

Two Australian Defence Vessels upgraded to HMA Ships

14/05/202514/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1195 Views 0 Comments

Royal Australian Navy has welcomed two more Evolved Cape-class patrol boats into commissioned service in a ceremony at their homeport

Inside an F-35 simulator. Image supplied by Lockheed Martin.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Williamtown and Tindal F-35 sims connected

14/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 941 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

The Australian Department of Defence in partnership with Lockheed Martin have connected F-35 simulators at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal

Editor's Vlog

Secret lift shaft – part 2

10/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1230 Views 4 Comments Make-n-Do

I’ve changed direction again this week – digging down from the top of the lift shaft. That means I have

Letters to the Editor

A Lesson in Artificial Intelligence

09/05/202509/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 626 Views 0 Comments

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in Puslatpur, Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

“Publicly criticising an official Army position amounts to insubordination”

09/05/202509/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 548 Views 0 Comments

1st Armoured Regiment has been stripped of its tanks, reduced to one third of its strength and made a ‘new

An Australian Army Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank fires during a training serial as part of a soldier qualification course at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

List of ‘Firsts’ for Australian Armour

06/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 499 Views 0 Comments

“The Australian Army has officially welcomed a second tank squadron to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, marking the first time in

Commander 3 Brigade Brigadier Ben McLennan addresses executives from the Australian Industry Group (AIG) during a visit to Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 13 March 2025. Photo by Major Gabrielle Taylor.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Update for Commander, 3rd Armoured Brigade

06/05/202506/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 575 Views 0 Comments

Brigadier Ben McLennan, Commander 3 Brigade, congratulated two of his Brigade’s units in his ‘X tweet’ for 27 April 2025

Brigadier Dave McCammon and W02 Robert Munro conduct a lap of 3rd Brigade in an M1A2 at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. Photo by Private Jess Gray.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

What’s the Chief of Army up to?

04/05/202504/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 1202 Views 0 Comments

Once upon a time … the Chief needed a ‘unit’ to come on-line quickly and manage ‘emerging technologies’. 1st Armoured

2nd Cavalry Regiment welcome its second tank squadron at the T4 (D Squadron) Raising Ceremony at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. Photo by Private Jessica Gray.

Letters to the Editor

The Housing Situation in Townsville: How Bad is it?

04/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 1015 Views 1 Comment

Is it stopping 3 Brigade getting up to full strength as an armoured brigade or is that due to other

Editor's Vlog

Adding a ‘secret’ extension to my basement project

03/05/202503/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 993 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

In an unusual turn of events (sarcasm), I’ve gone off on a tangent on the basement project. While I had

An Australian Centurion Mk V/1 tank of the 1st Armoured Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps, guarding the approaches to the 1 Australian Task Force base located at Courtenay Hill. A hootchie has been set up over the turret as a sun screen and a sand bagged observation post is visible on the hill top. Photo by Brian Wood – AWM P07256.031

Letters to the Editor Veterans

The Plight of Australia’s Military: Its Armour at least

02/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 1286 Views 0 Comments

The Plight of Australia’s Military was the title of an email to me from Professor Geoffrey Blainey, AC, arguably Australia’s

An Australian Army soldier from 1st Armoured Regiment talks to a British Army soldier from 2nd Battalion, Royal Yorkshire Regiment, about emerging technologies during Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PCC5) in Fort Irwin, California, 9 March 2025. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor

Army Experimentation: Is There a Better Way?

30/04/202530/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 829 Views 1 Comment

The Chief of Army stripped 1st Armoured Regiment of its tanks, reduced it in size by two thirds, and made

Australian Army recruits in training at 1st Training Battalion, Kapooka, NSW. 1RTB photo.

Letters to the Editor Thought provoking

Rebuilding Australia through improving Defence preparedness

27/04/2025 WGCDR Wayne (Noddy) Parsons, RAAF Retd 862 Views 1 Comment

Professor Geoffrey Blainey posits Australia was better prepared to help confront the challenge facing the Empire in 1914 at the

Letters to the Editor

Townsville’s Armoured Brigade: Why Isn’t it Ready?

27/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 842 Views 0 Comments

The 2024 National Defence Strategy (and the Defence Strategic Review before it) changed the ADF’s readiness from a joint force

The railway embankment which ran parallel to the Hindenburg Line south east of Bullecourt. The tank shown in the distance broke down above the shelter which housed the Headquarters of the 48th Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel R. L. Leane) during the first assault upon the Hindenburg Line (11 April 1917). The embankment was also the position of Brigadier General Gellibrand's Headquarters (6th Infantry Brigade) during the second assault (3 May 1917). AWM : E01408 COURTESY OF - Australian War Memorial

Australian Army Europe News Veterans

Four unidentified Aussie WWI soldiers found

26/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3199 Views 1 Comment Bullecourt, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit

The remains of four Australian soldiers have been found in northern France, almost 108 years since they died during the

Editor's Vlog

Laying more bricks in basement excavation

26/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1018 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

All work and no play makes Brian a dull(er) boy. So, this week, as well as laying more rock wall

An Australian Army soldier from the 1st Armoured Regiment with an uncrewed ground vehicle equipped with a prototype communications system and experimental drone launcher during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Why Hasn’t the Australian Public Been Told?

26/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 1281 Views 3 Comments

Extracts from the 2023 Defence Strategic Review: “Army’s combat brigades must be reroled and select capabilities postured in northern Australia.”

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