Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

155mm rounds in the field. (Cropped) photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

Defence cancels 155mm forging commitment

29/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4191 Views 8 Comments

In a positively-spun statement headlined “Defence’s commitment to domestic manufacturing of large calibre munitions”, the Department of Defence has effectively

Commissioning crew of NUSHIP Arafura before the ship was formally commissioned as HMAS Arafura, at Fleet Base West in Western Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Arafura finally commissioned

29/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5569 Views 4 Comments Arafura-class

More than six years after the ship’s keel was laid down and more than three years after she was launched,

Soldiers of the 1st Armoured Regiment are briefed while sitting in front of their Centurion tanks at Vung Tau in South Vietnam during 1968. Photo by Starry, Donn A. Mounted combat in Vietnam. Department of the Army, via Wikipedia.

Letters to the Editor

The Human Cost of Stripping Tanks From 1st Armoured Regiment

29/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 882 Views 2 Comments

The RAAC RSM acknowledged in the 2024 IRONSIDES (just published) that the decision to strip the tanks from 1 Armd

Editor's Vlog

Building walls in my lift shaft

29/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 841 Views 2 Comments Make-n-Do

It feels great putting things back into my excavations instead of always taking things out. This week I put walls

A Leopard tank from 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvres during Exercise Predators Strike at El Alamein Army Camp, Cultana, South Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Kade Rogers.

Letters to the Editor

RAAC newsletter IRONSIDES adds confusion re 1st Armd Regt’s status

27/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 638 Views 2 Comments

The 2024 edition of IRONSIDES was published recently. Those of us who looked for some clarity concerning the circumstances which

An Australian Army trooper from the 1st Armoured Regiment remotely controls a weapon system on an optionally crewed armoured vehicle during a demonstration in Puckapunyal, Victoria. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

Letters to the Editor

The ‘Combat Experimentation Group’

26/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1887 Views 0 Comments

On 29 Aug 24, an article in The Australian Defence Magazine [ADM] stated that: “The Army has re-roled one squadron

Centurion tanks from 1st Armoured Regiment, and armoured personnel carriers from B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, move along the main road of Binh Ba village. Over three days, armour and infantry dislodged a strong North Vietnamese Army group that had entered the village, for the loss of one Australian killed in action. AWM BEL/69/0389/VN. Binh Ba.

Letters to the Editor

1st Armoured Regiment’s Legacy

23/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 747 Views 2 Comments

Prior to returning from Vietnam, the Commanding Officer of 4RAR/NZ, Lt Col Jim Hughes, MC (later Maj Gen) wrote to

Australian Army Soldiers board a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in support of Operation Beech, at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF News

Troops and aircraft deployed to Middle East

22/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 35398 Views 15 Comments Operation Beech

To support Australians seeking to leave the Middle East, Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft have been deployed to the

Editor's Vlog

Tackling the drainage issue in my lift shaft

21/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1159 Views 2 Comments Make-n-Do

Digging is finished in my lift shaft, so now I need to figure out what to do about the groundwater

2nd Cavalry Regiment M1A2 Abrams tanks, conduct a live-fire danger-close serial at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, on 7 June 2025. Photo by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Letters to the Editor

Sometimes when we copy what others do, we get it wrong…

20/06/202522/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1174 Views 0 Comments

This is what has happened with the new role that the Chief of Army designated for the 1st Armoured Regiment.

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.

Letters to the Editor

Open letter to CO and RSM, 1st Armoured Regiment

19/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 11737 Views 31 Comments

Dear Commanding Officer and RSM, 1st Armoured Regiment You may not be aware, but the Army and (surprisingly) the Armoured

An Australian Army Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank during a live-fire serial as part of a qualification course for Royal Australian Armoured Corps soldiers at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Minister About 3 Bde Being Incomplete

15/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1027 Views 0 Comments

Dear Minister, Congratulations on your Government’s return to Office. As a Vietnam veteran who continues to take an interest in

Editor's Vlog

Floods, arches and freebies

15/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1201 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

A mixed bag this week – dealing with floods, arches and freebies. Each bring with them their own negatives. But

An Australian Army soldier from 1st Armoured Regiment demonstrates hyper-teaming with uncrewed aerial systems on Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California, on 11 March 2025. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Letters to the Editor

How was the Decision Made That Stripped 1st Armoured Regiment of its Tanks?

12/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1370 Views 3 Comments

Dear All, Did it just happen? Did the Chief of Army suddenly have a vision and tell the RAAC Head

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

Letters to the Editor

Is 3 Brigade a Fully Capable and Equipped Armoured Brigade?

10/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1298 Views 0 Comments

A recent radio broadcast emphasised that Australia is fully equipped and prepared to fight from and defend its northern bases,

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

Why is 1st Armoured Regiment Still an RAAC Unit?

09/06/202509/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1111 Views 0 Comments

The Chief of Army has stripped 1 Armd Regt of its tanks, reduced it in size by two thirds, and

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.

ADF ADF People News

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

08/06/202515/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 634 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 855 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

Letters to the Editor

Comments on the Demise of 1st Armoured Regiment

07/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 4570 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 1560 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