Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

Head of Military Strategic Plans Major General Colin Karotam talks with defence industry professionals during Exercise Autonomous Warrior 2022 at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, Australian Capital Territory. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

08/06/202515/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 517 Views 0 Comments

ADF personnel are recognised for a broad range of skills and contributions across three services in this year’s King’s Birthday

Editor's Vlog

A small problem with heavy rain

07/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 771 Views 2 Comments Make-n-Do

We had some heavy rain recently. Not as bad as some, mind you – but enough to flood a man’s underground

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

Comments on the Demise of 1st Armoured Regiment

07/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 3035 Views 2 Comments

A number of articles have been published in Contact Magazine as part of a campaign to have 1st Armoured Regiment

The New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment marks 70 years since its formation, on 7 June 1955. Image supplied by NZDF.

New Zealand News

NZSAS celebrates 70th birthday

07/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1409 Views 0 Comments 1 NZSAS Regiment

For 70 years the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on some of the most complex, challenging

One of three New Zealand NH-90 helicopters to be deployed on Ex Talisman Sabre 25 approached for embarkation on HMNZS Canterbury to sail for Australia. NZDF photo.

New Zealand News

New Zealand sending impressive contingent to Talisman Sabre

06/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1280 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel and assets have begun to deploy to one of the largest multi-national military exercises

Letters to the Editor

CONTACT paper issues 1-40 for sale

06/06/202506/06/2025 Andrew Thompson 277 Views 0 Comments

I have for sale, CONTACT magazines issues 1 to 40, in excellent condition. They were bought new and stored in

An Australian M1A2 SEP v3 main battle tank at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

Letters to the Editor

Are Tanks Obsolete?

05/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 407 Views 0 Comments

A video is circulating, the proposition of which is that the tank is dead. Drones and anti-tank missiles, coupled with

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is briefed on the success of Operation Spider's Web by the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine General Vasyl Maliuk. Photo courtesy of President Zelenskyy's social media.

Europe News Videos

Ukraine pulls off historic attack on Russian bomber fleet

02/06/202502/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1339 Views 0 Comments Ukraine

In a truly audacious attack on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, Ukraine’s drones destroyed billions of dollars worth of aircraft deep

Editor's Vlog

Liftshaft part 5 – where’s all that water coming from?

31/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 808 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

In this video I weigh all the dirt coming out of the liftshaft – and ponder, “where’s all that water

Editor's Vlog

Near-death incident in the lift shaft

25/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1238 Views 4 Comments Make-n-Do

The headline is not clickbait – I nearly died. But you will have to watch to find out what happened.

Wreaths laid at the commemoration service for the one year anniversary of the MRH-90 Taipan crash, at Swartz Barracks, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army News

MRH-90 crash investigation report released

23/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1721 Views 1 Comment MRH-90 Taipan

Australian Defence Force’s Aviation Safety Investigation Report into the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter accident on 28 July 2023 has been released.

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.

Letters to the Editor Thought provoking

Defence Open Day’s Purpose

19/05/2025 Greg Jarosch 1118 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 1691 Views 2 Comments

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 1094 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 1627 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 1307 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 1465 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 746 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 1178 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 1148 Views 0 Comments

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