Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

Royal New Zealand Navy inshore patrol vessels HMNZS Rotoiti (front) and HMNZS Pukaki. RNZN photo.

New Zealand retires half its inshore patrol fleet

18/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 225 Views 0 Comments

Two Royal New Zealand Navy inshore patrol vessels, HMNZ Ships Pukaki and Rotoiti, were decommissioned on 17 October at a

A RAAF P-8 Poseidon flies over the Russell Offices 'chook on a stick' during the Chief of Air Force change-of-command parade. Other aircraft, all of which had been introduced into RAAF service during Air Marshal Leo Davies' tenure, also flew over – including EA-18G Growler, F-35 Lightning and Falcon 7X. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Cameron Martin.

Australian Middle East News Operations Royal Australian Air Force

P-8A Poseidon deployed to Middle for a whole month

18/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 91 Views 0 Comments

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft has arrived in the Middle East in support of the International Maritime Security

Five No 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules fly in formation to celebrate 20 years of C-130J operations in Australia. Photo by Corporal David Said.

News Overseas Technology

World C-130J fleet tops 2 million flight hours

16/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 133 Views 0 Comments

Lockheed Martin has announced that the global community of C-130J Super Hercules operators recently surpassed 2 million flight hours since the

An artists impression of a Boomeranger 10.5m special-operations RHIB, as ordered by the Royal Australian Navy for its new off-shore patrol vessels. Boomeranger image.

Australian Europe News Royal Australian Navy Technology

Finland wins Australian RHIB contract

14/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 493 Views 0 Comments

Australia has signed a contract with Finland company Boomeranger Boats to supply the sea boats for the Royal Australian Navy’s new

CSGT Sam Davis (403 Squadron, Beaconsfield) is congratulated by his instructor, FLTLT(AAFC) Cathy Hobson, following his first solo flight in the Diamond DA40 NG on Friday 4 October. Photo by SQNLDR (AAFC) Scott Wiggins.

CONTACT Cadets

Diamonds in the sky – more DA40 solo pilots

10/10/201914/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 170 Views 0 Comments

During the recent September-October school holidays, a select group of Air Force Cadets took to the skies in the new

Cadet Corporal Max Ramm is congratulated by the Course Coordinator and Staff Officer Operations with AOW, Squadron Leader (AAFC) Scott Wiggins, following his first solo powered flight on 18 April 2019. Image supplied by SQNLDR (AAFC) Scott Wiggins.

CONTACT Cadets

DA40 Pilot Profile: Cadet Corporal Max Ramm

08/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 136 Views 0 Comments

During the April school holidays this year, the AAFC’s Elementary Flying Training School ran the first flying training course using

An Australian Abrams main battle tank fires its gun during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 17 at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory. Photo by Captain Dean Muller

Australian News

Multi-million$ NT ranges work ramps up

04/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 645 Views 0 Comments

A Northern Territory company has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to upgrade range facilities at four Defence training areas.

CONTACT BLOG SPOT Health and Wellbeing Veterans

DRUMBEAT by Holyoake praised in evaluation

02/10/201902/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 534 Views 0 Comments

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs recently funded Holyoake to develop a customised DRUMBEAT veterans program in collaboration with veterans and

A Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle on patrol in Mali. Photo courtesy Milrem Robotics.

News Overseas Rest of World Technology

Estonian infantry deploy unmanned ground vehicle on ops

02/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 707 Views 2 Comments

An Estonian infantry platoon currently serving in Mali has deployed for the first time the Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS unmanned ground

Then Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks to fellow visitors to The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience travelling exhibition in Wodonga. Photo by David McCleneghan.

Australian News

Tony Abbott appointed to AWM Council

02/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 474 Views 0 Comments

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been appointed a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial. FILE PHOTO

News Overseas Technology USA

Kongsberg CROWS about US Army purchase

01/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 790 Views 0 Comments

US Army has placed another order with Kongsberg of Norway for more Common Remote Weapon Stations (CROWS). CAPTION: A US

News Overseas Technology USA

Raytheon and Rheinmetall to build Lynx in USA

01/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 880 Views 0 Comments

Raytheon and Rheinmetall have established a joint venture to offer the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle for the US Army’s Optionally Manned

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon drops a life raft during training. Photo by Corporal Brendan Kwaterski.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Technology

RAAF’s 11th Poseidon handed over

01/10/201901/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 667 Views 0 Comments

Australia’s newest maritime surveillance aircraft, the RAAF’s 11th P-8A Poseidon, has been welcomed into the Royal Australian Air Force at a

Members of the Papua New Guinea Pipes and Drums rehearse for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Sydney at Murray Barracks Port Moresby. Photo by Jayson Tufrey.

ADF Australian News Overseas Pacific

Bands practice for biggest ever tattoo

01/10/201901/10/2019 Brian Hartigan 398 Views 0 Comments

More than 1500 performers from around the world are preparing for the largest ever Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney in

The retired Australian Army Banner is paraded for the last time at Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW, before being laid up in the Blamey Barracks Soldier’s Chapel. Photographer unknown.

Australian Australian Army News

Retired Army Banner laid up at Kapooka

30/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 570 Views 0 Comments

The Australian Army held a ceremony at the Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW, on 29 September 2019 to formally lay

Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Melbourne sails into Sydney Harbour for her final time after 27 years of service. Photo by Signalman Robert Whitmore.

Australian News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Melbourne home for the last time

27/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 523 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Melbourne (III) arrived in her homeport of Sydney on 27 September 2019, marking the end of her final voyage.

Corporal James Townsend, Combined Arms Training Centre, demonstrates the Wasp unmanned aerial system during Exercise Chong Ju 2019 at Puckapunyal Training Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Kyle Genner.

ADF Australian News Technology

XTEK wins multi-million$ Wasp-support contract

25/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 593 Views 0 Comments

Canberra-based company XTEK Ltd has been awarded a contract to provide repairs, maintenance and support services for the Australian Defence

Australian News Veterans

Input to national mental-health strategy and action plan invited

25/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 296 Views 0 Comments

Veterans, their families and the broader ex-service community are being asked to help shape the Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds speaks at the acceptance ceremony for the Australian Army’s first Boxer vehicle at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane. Photo by Sergeant Max Bree.

Australian Australian Army News Technology

First Boxers delivered at Enoggera

24/09/201924/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 1899 Views 2 Comments

The first of the fleet of new combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Defence Force has been unveiled at a

INTERFET Commander and former Governor-General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove addresses officials and veterans at the INTERFET 20th anniversary commemorative ceremony in Dili, Timor-Leste. Photo by Corporal Tristan Kennedy.

Australian New Zealand News Overseas Veterans

INTERFET 20th anniversary celebrated in Dili

21/09/201922/09/2019 Brian Hartigan 639 Views 0 Comments

The 20th Anniversary of East Timor’s Popular Consultation and the Australian-led INTERFET deployment was celebrated in Dili on 20 September

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