Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

An Australian Army ARH Tiger, of 1st Aviation Regiment, hovers over the Kangaroo Flats Training Area during Exercise Griffin Walk. Story and photos by Captain Tadek Markowski.

Tigers on the prowl in the Top End

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 117 Views 0 Comments 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Engineer Regimen, 1st Health Battalion, Exercise Griffin Walk, Tiger ARH

The late onset of this year’s Northern Territory monsoon season hampered, but couldn’t halt, a recent 1st Aviation Regiment activity

Army engineers from 6th Engineer Support Regiment clear the ground with a JCB Skid Steer Loader for the Army Ailan Community Assistance Program. Story and photos by Captain Joanne Leca.

Australian Army News

Engineers tackle offshore mission in Torres Strait

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 104 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, AACAP

Australian Army engineers took to the water with specialist equipment on three commercial barges to support a complex infrastructure mission

Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for his work on board HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Toowoomba team delivers bonus for Anzac fleet

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 107 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, King's Birthday Honours

By conducting thorough fault analysis, coordinating system-level testing and articulating complex problems for stakeholders, Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis and his

Leading Seaman Sara, of HMAS Dechaineux, receives the Conspicuous Service Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Chef celebrated for comfort food at sea

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 115 Views 0 Comments HMAS Dechaineux, King's Birthday Honours

Sailing through oceans deep beneath the waves, where it’s cold and confined, it’s often a simple, warm meal that brings

For his work during Operation Kudu, Squadron Leader Darrin Lindsay receives the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Building a strong team with honesty and leadership

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 92 Views 0 Comments King's Birthday Honours, Operation Kudu, Ukraine

From a base in Germany, Squadron Leader Darrin Lindsay commanded a 100-strong team flying E-7A Wedgetail missions for Operation Kudu,

His Majesty King Charles III inspects Australia's Federation Guard at Parliament House in Canberra on 21 October 2024. Photo by Nicole Minkowski.

ADF People

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 113 Views 0 Comments

KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS ADF personnel are recognised for a broad range of skills and contributions across three services in this

Members of HMAS Canberra's Standing Sea Fire and Emergency Party conduct damage control training with Chief Petty Officer Andrew Gibson from Sea Training Group during a transit to Wellington, New Zealand. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Petty Officer Jarrod Mulvihill.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

First responders in seaborne damage control drills

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 735 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Sea Training Group

HMAS Canberra crew became their own first responders in damage control exercises off the coast of NSW, en route to

Airborne Electronics Analysts students, from left, Aircraftman (AC) Andres Anzola Sanmiguel, AC Jayden Fellas, AC Colin Curtis, Leading Aircraftman Dylan Livingstone, AC Andrey Ozborn and AC Clay Smith. Story by Flying Officer Rosetta Gigliotti. Photo by Sergeant John Hawxwell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Enhanced training sets aircrew up for success

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 562 Views 0 Comments Air Mission Training School (AMTS), B-350 King Air, No. 32 Squadron, RAAF East Sale

The Air Mission Training School (AMTS) at RAAF Base East Sale has marked a significant milestone in the training of

Royal Australian Air Force personnel from Australia's Federation Guard and 100 Squadron carry the caskets of Warrant Officer Russell Grigg and Warrant Officer Clement Wiggins in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Squadron Leader Karyn Markwell. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha Katz-White.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

World War 2 aviators laid to rest after eight decades

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 505 Views 0 Comments Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The remains of two aviators from 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-186 were laid to rest in a moving committal service on

OzHarvest and ADFA trainee officers and staff members participate in the Can the Cube donation drive. Story by Lieutenant Colonel Sandra Turner. Photos by Officer Cadet Jamie Doran.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADFA trainee officers’ can-do charity drive

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 345 Views 0 Comments ADFA

The Australian Defence Force Academy’s support of OzHarvest this year produced the biggest collection of non-perishable food items in Canberra.

Private Arianna Yunkaporta and Private Irwin Yunkaporta, of 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, attend a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photos by Corporal Jarrod Moreels.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Emotional trip south for Indigenous soldiers

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 561 Views 0 Comments 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment, Army Reserve, AWM, WWII

Canberra did not put on its best to welcome Arianna and Irwin Yunkaporta – the two Army Reserve soldiers from

Royal Australian Navy personnel and Taronga Zoo staff unload equipment donated by Port Services East, HMAS Kuttabul, for the elephants at Taronga Zoo, Sydney. Photo by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Defence’s net zero target takes a day at the zoo

06/06/202507/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 465 Views 0 Comments Net Zero Strategy

Old wharf equipment is keeping Taronga Zoo’s animals entertained, and tyres and uniforms are taking on new forms, thanks to

Aviators from 2 and 29 Squadrons form both an honour guard and bearer party for the late Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear in Mornington, Tasmania. Story by Flying Officer Matthew Dawson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF honours WW2 veteran, community stalwart

04/06/202507/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 611 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Squadron, No. 29 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant (retd) Brian Winspear, who died aged 104, has been remembered for his distinguished wartime service, post-war contributions to

Commodore Dan Sutherland with his family, wife Rita and children Edward, Juliet and Evie. Story by Lieutenant Felicity Jevardat de Fombelle.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Life lessons from a five-year-old girl

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 426 Views 0 Comments

Submarine chief Commodore Dan Sutherland has thought about leaving the Navy. Twice. CAPTION: Commodore Dan Sutherland with his family, wife Rita

Veterans of 1 Commando Company surround a newly unveiled plinth commemorating the officers commanding of the unit. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Permanent commando memorial unveiled

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 646 Views 0 Comments 1st Commando Company, Chief of Army

A permanent memorial to the leaders of 1 Commando Company has been dedicated at the site of the unit’s original

Then-Squadron Leader Ray 'Homer' Simpson, Executive Officer 3 Squadron, on Operation Okra, in front of his F/A-18A Classic Hornet featuring 'Dirty Harry smoking gun' nose art hand drawn by Corporal Patrick Kelly after Homer's strafe pass, the first by a 3 Squadron aircraft since WW2. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Award inspires aviators to excel

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 386 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course

Air Warfighter Instructor students are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of one of the RAAF’s most remarkable pilots.

Army soldiers from the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, conduct a danger-close live-fire serial with M777 howitzers on Exercise Predators Walk at Mount Bundey Training Area in the NT. Story and photo by Captain Nicholas Marquis.

Australian Army News

Soldiers see result of their work on the gun line

04/06/202507/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 537 Views 0 Comments 8th/12th Regiment RAA, Exercise Predator’s Walk, M777 Howitzer

Dust clouds the air through the percussion of each blast from four M777A2 howitzers on the gun line, shrapnel falls

Army Reserve soldiers from 5th Brigade, deployed as part of Joint Task Force 629, clear debris to support the NSW State Emergency Service-led flood response in Wingham Brush Nature Reserve. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Corporal Adam Abela.

Australian Army News

ADF provides support to flooded communities

30/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1233 Views 1 Comment 5th Brigade, Army Reserve, Joint Task Group 629, State Emergency Service (SES)

For the second time this year, devastating floods have struck the NSW mid-north coast, leaving communities such as Taree reeling.

Air Force trainees, Aircraftman Luke Stewart, Aircraftman Aaron Thomas, Aircraftwoman Leah Elton, Leading Aircraftman Isaac Lapworth, Aircraftman Connor Jennings-To and Aircraftman Natthaphong Tidtam. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant Peter Bory.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF trial accelerates ground support training

30/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 942 Views 0 Comments 23 Squadron, Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), RAAF Amberley, TAFE

A regional training trial is helping Royal Australian Air Force trainees qualify faster by combining TAFE learning with hands-on experience

Australian Army soldiers form a Bearer Party outside St George's Cathedral in Perth to carry Arthur Leggett's casket inside for his State Funeral. From left, WO1 Ian Hallt, WO1 Brad Foster and WO1 Bruce Williams. Story by Captain Alasdair Dolan. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

State Funeral honours veteran of WWII

30/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1392 Views 1 Comment 11th/28th Battalion, 13th Brigade, Chief of Army, WWII

The City of Perth stood still on the morning of Saturday May 10, to honour a fallen hero who, while

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