Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

Digital image by CONTACT – from original image by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill, which captured action from a damage-control exercise onboard HMAS Arunta, October 2020.

Deakin Uni signs virtual-firefighting contract

19/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1481 Views 0 Comments

Defence has signed a $5.13 million contract with Deakin University to continue its development of a cutting-edge augmented and virtual

News Sovereign industry

Thales expanding advanced manufacturing in Lithgow

19/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2322 Views 0 Comments

Thales Australia has received development approval and will commence construction in February on the first phase of an ambitious industrial

The final Rosenbauer Panther Crash Tender is loaded onto a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft. Photo by Sergeant Ben Dempster.

Middle East News

Serco awarded Middle-East-support contract extension

19/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2245 Views 0 Comments Serco

Serco has been awarded a two-year contract extension to continue providing base operation, hospitality and support services on behalf of

Rear Admiral Jude Terry and Rear Admiral Philip Halley in the 'Great Cabin' of HMS Victory, Portsmouth, UK. Royal Navy photo – Crown copyright.

News UK

First female admiral in the Royal Navy

18/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3214 Views 0 Comments

A centuries-old ‘glass ceiling’ in the UK was shattered this week as Jude Terry became the first female admiral in

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8 Poseidon departs RAAF Base Amberly to assess damage in Tonga after the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Suchwenke.

ADF News Pacific

Assessing damage in Tonga after volcano/tsunami

17/01/202217/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1755 Views 0 Comments Tongan volcano 2022

Australian Defence Force is supporting a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-coordinated mission to support the government of Tonga

Australian Army soldiers from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, move on foot into the isolated community of Gipsy Point, north-west of Mallacoota, Victoria, to provide health support. Photo by Major Gavin Cole.

Poets Corner

A Tribute

16/01/2022 Mick Shave 1772 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

A man remembered, Peter Bunn; In those days vigorous, full of fun. While we ‘The Company’ gain in skill (Training

Life on the Line Podcast

Sergeant Brett Wood – Life on the Line

15/01/202219/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2320 Views 0 Comments Life on the Line Podcast

2nd Commando Regiment veterans, friends and family share their memories of the late Sergeant Brett Wood MG, DSM. Brett Wood

One of thousands of photos taken by Billy Cunneen in Vietnam – a 6RAR soldier dives for cover as firing breaks out during Operation Ingham.

News Veterans

Planning to commemorate end of Vietnam War

15/01/202215/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3470 Views 4 Comments Vietnam

Planning is underway for a range of significant events around the country next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of

A AW139 helicopter operated by OPSTAR Pty Ltd at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Cameron Martin.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Nowra company wins $12million contract for Navy SAR coverage

13/01/202213/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3770 Views 2 Comments HMAS Albatross

A Nowra-based business that provides search and rescue services at HMAS Albatross has signed a $12 million contract renewal to

A US Army 1st Cavalry Division Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 sends its first round downrange at Fort Hood, Texas. Photo by Sergeant Calab Franklin.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Australia orders new M1A2 Abrams tanks

10/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 7454 Views 5 Comments M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton today announced a $3.5 billion investment in the Main Battle Tank Upgrade (LAND 907 Phase

Hanwha K9 Thunder – possibly called Huntsman in Australia. Photo courtesy Hanwha.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Contract for self-propelled artillery signed

10/01/202211/03/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4293 Views 2 Comments Huntsman

The government announced a $1 billion defence contract for new self-propelled Howitzers for the Australian Army with Hanwha Defense Australia.

JS Murasame departs Darwin after a brief visit. Photo by Barrie Collins.

Australian Japan News Pacific

Australia and Japan sign historic strategic partnership agreement

07/01/202207/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3179 Views 0 Comments

Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Kishida met virtually on 6 January 2022. CAPTION: JS Murasame departs Darwin after a

Australian News Sovereign industry

‘Real-world virtual’ work experience for schools in defence industry

05/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1848 Views 0 Comments

The federal government says it has partnered with CSIRO to deliver an exciting new opportunity for students interested in gaining

Joint Strike fighter A35-11 departs for a night sortie from RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Science & Technology

World F-35 fleet continues to grow

04/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2701 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter

Lockheed Martin completed another successful year as the F-35 program continued to expand its global footprint and enhance operational capabilities.

Poets Corner

OUR FLAG

04/01/2022 Mel Austin 1787 Views 0 Comments By Mel Austin

Of all the flags which have been flown And still are yet to be I think the one which is

Poets Corner

THE HOMELESS REFUGEE

02/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2106 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

Barney was a treasure, one of my great finds We met up in hospital, where they patched up broken minds

Poets Corner

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

01/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1625 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

I watched as the young widow laid her wreath. I wanted to tell her I was with her husband shortly

Health and Wellbeing

Invictus Australia – A Year in Review

20/12/2021 Vanessa Bernardo 1935 Views 0 Comments

That’s a wrap and what a year it’s been for Invictus Australia! As 2021 draws to a close, it is

Ship's Company line the deck during HMAS Sirius' Decommissioning at Fleet Base West, Western Australia. Photo by Petty Officer Yuri Ramsey.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sirius decommissioned

19/12/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2830 Views 0 Comments

The Royal Australian Navy support ship that holds the record for Navy’s biggest fuel replenishment at sea and played a

Letters to the Editor Personal stories

Peas, Beans and Bullets

19/12/202119/12/2021 Russ Morison 2525 Views 0 Comments

HI Everyone, by way of introduction, I spent 40 years in Defence, 27 of them in a baggy green suit,