Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

A C-27J Spartan fires flares during an aerial display at the Australian International Airshow 2025, Avalon. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

C-27J Spartan hits 10 years in RAAF

01/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 851 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan

From the rugged terrain of the Australian Outback to the tropical jungles of Papua New Guinea, C-27J Spartan has proven

Sergeant Paul Scandura of 19 Squadron oversees locally engaged civilians constructing aircraft pallets to support a Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Michael Gosney.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Locally engaged civilians upskill at Butterworth

01/04/202501/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 885 Views 0 Comments RMAF Butterworth

An unheralded but crucial group of enablers in the projection of Australian air power in Southeast Asia have just added

Sam Boyd and his partner pose in front of an F-35 fighter after Mr Boyd's appointment as a RAAF officer, at No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Former US Navy pilot commissioned into RAAF

01/04/202501/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 915 Views 0 Comments

Former United States Navy F/A-18 pilot and contracted civilian F-35A simulator instructor Sam Boyd has been appointed an officer in

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 1st Armoured Regiment, drives through the Cultana Training Area, SA during Exercise Rhino Run 24. Photo by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

The Unjust Treatment of 1st Armoured Regiment: Who Should Apologise?

30/03/202530/03/2025 Bruce Cameron 933 Views 0 Comments

FILE PHOTO (May 2024): An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 1st Armoured Regiment, drives through the

Editor's Vlog

Cutting huge slab from basement floor

29/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 857 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

Here’s a biggie for ya – the largest slab I’ve cut from the floor in my shed basement. Manhandling this

The wreck of No 454 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Baltimore FW282, which was shot down during the conduct of a maritime reconnaissance mission on 3 December 1943. The wreck was located by AegeanTec in July 2024, with confirmation of the identity of the aircraft made in December 2024. Photo supplied by AegeanTec.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Air Force UK Veterans

WWII RAAF bomber found off Greece

27/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1318 Views 0 Comments

A Royal Australian Air Force Baltimore bomber aircraft, which was lost while on an operational mission during the Second World

A Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is released from a No. 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet. Image supplied.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile certified for RAAF use

23/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1334 Views 1 Comment AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, LRASM

Australia has significantly upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s maritime strike capability following a successful live firing of the AGM-158C Long

Able Seaman Matthew Dockrill conducts a routine inspection between the after body and fuel cell of a MK48 Heavy Weight Torpedo in the Torpedo Maintenance Facility at the Navy Guided Weapons Systems Program Office-West on HMAS Stirling. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko.

News Royal Australian Navy

Another $200million worth of torpedos ordered

23/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1399 Views 0 Comments MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedo

Australia is enhancing the lethality of its submarine fleet under a $200million agreement with the United States to acquire additional

Editor's Vlog

Flooring the courtyard

22/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 935 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

Most of the action in this video happened on a sad Saint Patrick’s day. Sad, because I found out it

STS Young Endeavour heading towards Fremantle Port after a year-long circumnavigation of the world. Royal Australian Navy photo.

CONTACT Cadets

Young Endeavour replacement delayed – without explanation

21/03/202521/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1012 Views 0 Comments STS Young Endeavour

Almost six years ago, the then government announced that Sail Training Ship Endeavour would be replaced by the end of

1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams tanks in Puslatpur, Indonesia, during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor Veterans

The Bond Formed by Tank Crews

16/03/2025 Bruce Cameron 1672 Views 3 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment

Admiral Johnston, the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), graduated as a naval officer in 1982. His career has involved

Editor's Vlog

Three steps and I’m outside

15/03/202515/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 965 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

I had a great weekend away last week, with extended family, for a significant milestone – so the week got

HMAS Brisbane is one of the Hobart-class destroyers in the fleet. Photo by Petty Officer Yuri Ramsey.

News Royal Australian Navy

$200million for new navy radio network

13/03/202513/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1495 Views 0 Comments

Communication systems on Royal Australian Navy ships will be upgraded under a $200million program with Boeing Defence Australia. FILE PHOTO:

Soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, arrive in Lismore on Friday, 7 March 2025, to assist northern NSW communities in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo by WO2 Raymond Vance.

Australian Army News

ADF members injured in truck crash during flood-relief response

09/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2555 Views 0 Comments Cyclone Alfred

Several Australian Defence Force members were injured, some seriously, when two trucks crashed while responding to community needs in the

Editor's Vlog

1 step, 2 step, tricky under there

08/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1264 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

In this video, I install the second step to get me out of the hole I dug in my basement.

Editor's Vlog

Starting the stairs to my basement pit

01/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 856 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

This week, I turned around and started upwards – the stairs to get me out of this hole I dug myself

United States Navy Virginia-class submarine USS Minnesota alongside Fleet Base West in Western Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

AUKUS News

First SSN for 2025 docks at HMAS Stirling

01/03/202501/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1542 Views 1 Comment AUKUS

US Virginia class submarine, USS Minnesota (SSN 783) has arrived at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia on 25 February for

Military Public Affairs Officers gather at Russell Offices, Canberra, to celebrate Navy's newest employment category. No photographer credited (good start Navy).

Sir Jeffrey Armiger

Is Navy’s PR “innovation” a belated copycat catchup

26/02/202526/02/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 914 Views 0 Comments

The Royal Australian Navy has finally realised that public affairs matter. The only problem is – Australian Army figured that

Editor's Vlog

Pouring concrete floor in basement hole

22/02/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1114 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

It’s a satisfying thing when you can start to put stuff back into a hole after so much digging out.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Can the CDF or a Service Chief Do Anything He or She Wishes?

17/02/202528/03/2025 Bruce Cameron 2043 Views 6 Comments

There have been no female Chiefs as yet, but according to all accounts, the first is not far off. Do