Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter at Sikorsky Australia in Nowra, NSW. Story by Elyssa Comer. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

Romeo’s maintenance milestone worth a belated brag

27/09/202229/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2098 Views 0 Comments Lockhead Martin, MH-60R Seahawk

Defence and Australian industry have marked the milestone of completing the 40th periodic deeper maintenance interval on Navy’s fleet of

Captain Zac Bryant, from 6th Engineer Support Regiment, with students during the bridge-building challenge on Ultimate Classroom. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo from Channel 10.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Sovereign industry

ADF personnel mentor Queensland STEM students

27/09/202229/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1585 Views 0 Comments STEM, Ultimate Classroom

Nine personnel from technical trades recently mentored 18 Queensland high-school STEM students on a new education program called Ultimate Classroom.

Major Scott Atkinson on-site during Exercise Puk Puk at Goldie River Training Depot in Papua New Guinea. Story by Major Jesse Robilliard. Photo bySergeant Nunu Campos.

ADF People

Country town background good prep for Army role

27/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1634 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Papua New Guinea, PNGDF

Growing up in the small country town of Wingham, on the NSW mid north coast, Major Scott Atkinson could not have

Flight Lieutenant Nick Fraser with his invention, the Audible Feedback Training Round. Story by Evana Ho. Photo by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman..

ADF People

Safe in the firing line

27/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1751 Views 0 Comments Jericho Labs

Flight Lieutenant Nick Fraser is an Armament Engineer currently working in the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. He can now

Warrant Officer Class One Ben Miller oversees the construction of the Independent Youth Centre in Gapuwiyak, NT, during the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program. Story by Warrant Officer Class One Ben Miller oversees the construction of the Independent Youth Centre in Gapuwiyak, NT, during the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program. Photo: Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Allen. Photo by Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Allen.

ADF People

Community construction works for warrant officer

27/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1220 Views 0 Comments AACAP, Indigenous

Having returned to the NT as the construction works manager on his eighth Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP), Warrant

Leading Aircraftwoman Chantelle Bradford, a guard member with Australia’s Federation Guard. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

ADF People Veterans

Helping veterans find new purpose

27/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1436 Views 0 Comments Australia’s Federation Guard, Keswick Barracks, Legacy

Even before joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Leading Aircraftwoman Chantelle Bradford from Brisbane was helping veterans find new purpose

Signaller Catherine Lindridge from the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment trains at Lavarack Barracks for the World Blackball Championships. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Corporal Brodie Cross.

ADF People

Signaller sinks competition in pool

27/09/202202/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1706 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Signal Regiment

Playing pool with mates during school holidays, Signaller Catherine Lindridge never thought she would be representing Australia on an international

Sapper Donald Currie, a Plumber from 6th Engineer Support Regiment, works on the construction of an Independent Youth Centre in Gapuwiyak, NT. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Corporal Lucas Petersen.

ADF People

Going above and beyond

27/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1285 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, AACAP, Indigenous

Sapper Donald Currie is not your average plumber. CAPTION: Sapper Donald Currie, a Plumber from 6th Engineer Support Regiment, works

Distressed vessel Ogoi Ratz, left, made ready for towing by civilian merchant vessel Uni Sunshine after being located by RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello. Photo from RAAF No. 11 Squadron.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Poseidon assists in search and rescue

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1750 Views 0 Comments AMSA, P-8A Poseidon, Papua New Guinea, RAAF Edinburgh

“Thank you very much for your assistance. I will now be able to spend Independence [Day] with my family and

Lieutenant Colonel Leigh Partridge, commanding officer of the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment, lays a wreath during a dawn service commemorating 80 years since the start of the Battle of Brigade Hill, along the Kokoda Track, in Papua New Guinea. Story and photo by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News Videos

Remembering Kokoda

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2568 Views 1 Comment 16th Battalion RWAR, 39th Operational Support Battalion, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Several events have been organised to mark the 80th year since the Kokoda Track Campaign in Papua New Guinea during

A M1A1 Abrams main battle tank engages a target during the Coral-Balmoral Cup 2022 at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Private Michael Currie.

Australian Army News

Third time a blast

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2295 Views 3 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), M1A1 Abrams

For the third time in a row, 1st Armoured Regiment showed they’ve got the mettle, winning the Coral-Balmoral Cup for

Gunners from 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire the M777A2 155mm howitzer during Exercise Long Tan at Lone Pine Barracks in Singleton. Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News

1 Regiment trains for ‘danger close’

23/09/202227/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2583 Views 2 Comments 1st Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Canungra, M777 Howitzer, Shoalwater Bay Training Area

Members from 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (1 Regt), deployed to Singleton military area in September for Exercise Long Tan,

Tracey Small, left, gives Lieutenant Roderick Thiele a tour of the Darwin harbour control office during Exercise Kakdau 2022. Story by Lieutenant George Cross. Photo by Leading Seaman Shane Cameron.

News Royal Australian Navy

Supporting maritime trade during Exercise Kakadu

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1502 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, Navy Reserve

Ninety eight per cent of Australia’s physical trade travels by sea and transits through Navy’s maritime ports. CAPTION: Tracey Small, left,

HMAS Hobart crew participate in the Kakadu Ninja Challenge Cup competition at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct during Exercise Kakadu 2022. Story by Lieutenant (junior grade) Mohammad Issa (US Navy). Photo by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.

News Royal Australian Navy

Kakadu sports day fierce and friendly

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1418 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu

Amid preparation for the high-end naval engagements ashore, at sea and in the air, Exercise Kakadu 2022 participants found time

HMAS Perth fires an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile while operating in the Philippine Sea during Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2022. Story by Lieutenant Eleanor Williams. Photo by US Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Emilio Mackie.

News Royal Australian Navy USA

Perth missile firing right on target

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1727 Views 0 Comments Evolved Sea Sparrow, Exercise Pacific Vanguard, HMAS Perth, Regional Presence Deployment, US Navy

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth displayed its capabilities and ability to integrate with partners while participating in Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2022.

HMAS Perth boatswain’s mates Able Seaman Patrick Kehoe and Seaman Mitchell Milne fire a 12.7mm Browning machine gun while conducting anti-aircraft firing serials. Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.

News Royal Australian Navy

Fleet goes all guns blazing

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1640 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, French Navy, HMAS Perth, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Thai Navy, US Navy

The fleet went ‘all guns blazing’ into the Exercise Kakadu sea phase, with six warships from six nations combining for

Dash Gurung stands in front of an Australian Army M113 armoured personnel carrier after the firepower demonstration at Puckapunyal. Story by Major Carrie Robards. Photo by Lance Corporal Katy Manning.

ADF People

Dash’s dream comes true

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1686 Views 0 Comments ASLAV, M113, M1A1 Abrams, M777 Howitzer, Puckapunyal

Dash Gurung’s passion for the Army grew when he got to experience a recent firepower demonstration at Puckapunyal. CAPTION: Dash

Lieutenant's Fraser Campbell, left, and William Samios on the flight line at Air Transport Wing, during Operation Kimba, Papua New Guinea. Story by Major Martin Hadley. Photo by Sergeant Kirk Peacock.

ADF People

Mates reunite in Papua New Guinea

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1605 Views 0 Comments 7th Signal Regiment, Operation Kimba, PNGDF, Royal Australian Corps of Signals, Royal Australian Corps of Transport

The flight line of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby is an unlikely

Petty Officer Sara Clarke, Lieutenant Commander Victoria Jnitova, Lieutenant Commander Cerys Joyce, Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm and Commander Penelope Twemlow with their Women in Defence Awards. Story by Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

ADF People

Navy women win big

23/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1517 Views 0 Comments Women in Defence Awards

It was Navy’s night at the 2022 Women in Defence Awards, with five RAN members recognised for their outstanding achievements.

Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley, centre front, and international dignitaries during Exercise Kakadu 2022 opening ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Collaboration on show at Kakadu conference

20/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2363 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu

Rows of gold-braided officer’s hats deposited on tables outside the Fleet Commanders’ Conference at the Darwin Convention Centre reflected the