Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Royal New Zealand Air Force Group Captain Susie Barns is promoted to Air Commodore by Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, left, and her spouse Tom at her promotion and appointment to Deputy Air Commander Australia ceremony, held at the ADF Academy officers mess. Story by John Noble. Photo by Aircraftman Jakob Reid.

Kiwi appointed Deputy Air Commander Australia

14/01/202515/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 378 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence College, RNZAF

In a show of enhanced cooperation and interoperability between Australia and New Zealand, a senior member of the Royal New

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors Callan McLean, right, and Jake Christie dive into the pool during a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games Royal Australian Navy

Invictus reignites sailor’s passion

14/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 312 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Bilateral cartilage issues in both knees and multiple musculoskeletal injuries prematurely ended Callan McLean’s naval career and recreational sporting pursuits

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Alexander Gair. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Inspiring others at Invictus Games

14/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 370 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Alexander Gair is mighty proud of his 20-year career with the Australian Army. CAPTION: Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Alexander

An Australian-built Beaufort Bomber belonging to RAAF’s 1 Squadron during World War 2.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

When a sonar image reveals a piece of history

14/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 344 Views 0 Comments Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO), WWII

The discovery of a World War 2 aircraft off the Northern Territory coast highlights one of the many benefits of

ADF Members and Queensland Ambulance Service personnel stretcher a man, who had been missing, through bushland to emergency service vehicles. Story by Lieutenant Commander Nic Hawkins. Photo from Queensland Police Service.

Australian Army News

Christmas miracle for missing man

10/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 873 Views 0 Comments 11 Combat Service Support Battalion, 11th brigade, 9th Royal Queensland Regiment

Twenty-eight members of Army’s 11 Brigade responded to an urgent request from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to help locate

Brothers and Air Force pilots, Flying Officer Samuel Hughes, left, and Flying Officer Luke Hughes, celebrate earning their wings at the 1 Flying Training School Course 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course Graduation at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photo by Flying Officer Luke Marsden.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Brothers soar to new heights

08/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 888 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), RAAF East Sale

Childhood dreams became a reality at the recent ADF Intermediate Pilots Course graduation from 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), where

Navy pilot graduate Acting Sub Lieutenant Natika Dunn is awarded with ‘wings’ by Commander Fleet Air Arm Commodore Matthew Royals at 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course Graduation at 1 Flying Training School, RAAF Base East Sale. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Daina Sawade.

News Royal Australian Navy

Milestone moment for joint pilot training

08/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1139 Views 1 Comment No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), RAAF East Sale

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn has made history as the first Navy trainee to graduate with wings from 1 Flying Training

Participants of the first Air Force Test Ranges Squadron Defence Remote Pilot Licence Course, conducted at Evans Head, NSW, and led by Squadron Leader Martin Young. Story by Corporal Steven Lawton. Photo by Corporal David Martin.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

Small effort, high pay-off for security drones

03/01/202504/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1378 Views 0 Comments Air Force Test Ranges Squadron (AFTRSQN), Air Warfare Centre, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

With a large estate of test and training ranges across the country, the Air Warfare Centre’s Air Force Test Ranges

Pierre de Vallier, of the Enhanced Quality of Life Team, Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare, installs a Starlink system on board HMAS Brisbane. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

News Royal Australian Navy

New internet capability for Royal Australian Navy fleet

03/01/202504/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1606 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Stalwart, Starlink

Growing up in a Navy family, Sub-Lieutenant Rhys De Serio knows how precious a call home can be. CAPTION: Pierre de

Australian citizens board a RAAF C-17A flight home at Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, following the Vanuatu earthquake. Photos by Corporal Adam Abela.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF supports Vanuatu earthquake response

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2505 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster III, Vanuatu

RAAF Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules aircraft have returned 284 Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals from Vanuatu in the

Major Gerard Hinchliffe, of 1st Intelligence Battalion, gives Commander 6th Brigade, Brigadier Deane Limmer, a tour of the Level 2 material exploitation facility at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Story by Major John Yialeloglou. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Specialised facility counters IED threats

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1718 Views 0 Comments 1st Intelligence Battalion, 6th Brigade, DSTG, Gallipoli Barracks, improvised explosive device (IED), level two counter-IED weapons technical intelligence (L2 WTI)

Gallipoli Barracks was recently the scene for an inspection of one of the ADFs new level two counter-IED weapons technical

ADF personnel deployed on Operation Manitou, at Naval Support Activity in Bahrain. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Shaw.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Australia’s leading role in Middle East maritime security

20/12/202427/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1924 Views 2 Comments Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153), Operation Hydranth, Operation Manitou

As Houthi attacks on shipping intensified in the Red Sea, Australia stepped up its commitment to maritime security, assuming command

Number 277 Phase 2 ADF Intermediate Pilots’ Course members assemble on the flight line with a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce, WA, ahead of their graduation. Story by Stephanie Hallen. Photos by Chris Kershaw.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Flying times ahead for graduates

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1388 Views 0 Comments 2FTS, ADF Pilot's Course, PC-21, RAAF Pearce

As the temperatures soared in the west, so did the spirits of 15 student pilots from 277 Phase 2 ADF

Professor Hugh Heggie and Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, with the commanding officers and the youngest sailors of HMA Ships Cape Pillar, Cape Naturaliste, Cape Woolamai and Cape Capricorn at HMAS Coonawarra. Story by Lieutenant Commander Gary McHugh. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Four new patrol boats commissioned

20/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1812 Views 1 Comment Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), HMAS Cape Capricorn, HMAS Cape Naturaliste, HMAS Cape Pillar, HMAS Cape Woolamai, HMAS Coonawarra, Operation Resolute

Four Evolved Cape-class patrol boats were recently commissioned in a ceremony at their home port of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin,

Able Seaman Musician Ritnarong Coomber performs during a Christmas show in Sydney. Photo by Kate Williams Photography.

ADF People

Christmas performance hard to beat

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 682 Views 0 Comments Navy Band

Able Seaman Ritnarong Coomber, a drummer with the Royal Australian Navy Band in Sydney, has participated in a special Christmas

A member from the Republic of Korea Air Force, centre, helps Australian Army air dispatchers Corporal Ryan Cheevers and Private Kurt Matthews prepare a 'bundle' for Operation Christmas Drop 24. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Air dispatchers pack Christmas spirit

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 842 Views 0 Comments Andersen AFB, Army No. 176 Air Dispatch Squadron, No. 37 Squadron, Operation Christmas Drop, Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), US Air Force

A specialist team from Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron has helped bring Christmas cheer to isolated Pacific islands as part

Able Seaman Alexandra Manthey, second from left, holds a UK flag during a ceremony in Busan, South Korea. Story by Lieutenant Commander Brendan Trembath. Photo by Yun, In Kyeong.

ADF People Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Proud to represent Australia in Korea

20/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1008 Views 0 Comments South Korea, United Nations Command (UNC)

A deployment to South Korea has brought many ‘pinch me moments’ for Able Seaman Alexandra Manthey, who represents Australia in

Wing Commander Aarian Birch pilots his CAC Winjeel from 100 Squadron at Point Cook over the cliffs of Point Addis during the 80th commemoration of the ditched RAAF Mitchell Bomber in 1944. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Warrant Officer Don Kenny.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Sacrifices commemorated at 80 years on

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 620 Views 0 Comments RAAF Laverton, WWII

On December 11, 1944, a B-25D Mitchell bomber crashed off Point Addis, marking a tragic chapter in Australia’s wartime history.

Ambassador to the Republic of Palau Richelle Turner, left, with the Governor of Peleliu Emais Roberts and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, at an exhibition of the life of Damien Parer. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring the legacy of WW2 photographer

18/12/202418/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 656 Views 0 Comments Palau, US Marines, WWII

This year marks 80 years since legendary Australian war photographer Damien Parer was killed filming US Marines in action on

The Wulgurukaba people perform a smoking ceremony at the 5th Aviation Regiment naming ceremony of four CH-47F Chinook helicopters at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland. Story by Major Carolyn Barnett. Photos by Craftsman Luc McLean.

Australian Army News

CH-47 fleet reaches new high point

18/12/202422/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 933 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook

In a ceremony steeped in longstanding tradition, the 5th Aviation Regiment has given names to four CH-47F Chinook helicopters. CAPTION:

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