Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Petroleum Operators from the 17th Sustainment Brigade pump fuel from an LCM8 to land Cowley Beach Training Area in Queensland. Story and photo by Captain Thomas Kaye.

Moving fuel from ship to shore

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2159 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, 17th Sustainment Brigade, 9th Force Support Battalion, MRH-90 Taipan

Army’s fuel specialists, or ‘Operator Petroleum’, were out in force at Cowley Beach Training Area, certifying and maintaining their unique

National President of the AATTV Association Colonel (retd) Kerry Gallagher, left, and President of RSL Queensland Major General Stephen Day unveil the Operation Reunite memorial at Kokoda Barracks. Story by Captain Ashlea Tighe. Photo by Signals Christopher Kingston.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Marking 60th anniversary of AATTV

12/08/202214/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3128 Views 0 Comments AATTV, Kokoda Barracks, Victoria Cross, Vietnam War

One of the most highly decorated units of the Vietnam War celebrated the 60th anniversary of its formation with a

Maritime Logistics Officer Sub-Lieutenant Amelia Ross holds an assortment of coffee products in the dry store of HMAS Canberra during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in the Pacific Ocean. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People

Coffee and ice cream keep crew happy

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1123 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC

Catering at sea for several weeks during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 required careful logistical planning. CAPTION: Maritime

Captain Robyn Phillips, left, Petty Officer Jordon Bradshaw, Indigenous artist Kerrie Williams and Leading Seaman Callum Dawson at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Nowra. Story by Lieutenant Danielle Worthey. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Dreamtime collaboration, with a dream team

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1472 Views 0 Comments HMAS Albatross, Indigenous

HMAS Albatross’ recent commission with local Indigenous artist, Aunty Kerrie Williams, celebrates a genuine community connection and respect to the

The graduates of No. 266 pilots course with a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce following their graduation on July 29. Story by Peta Magorian. Photo by Chris Kershaw.

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

14 new pilots graduate despite local storms

12/08/202216/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2498 Views 0 Comments 2 Flying Training School, No. 2 FTS, RAAF Pearce

Perth storms didn’t deter the spirit of 14 students receiving their wings and graduating from No. 2 Flying Training School at RAAF Base

Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling Captain Gary Lawton cuts HMAS Stirling's birthday cake with the bases youngest member Seaman Amity Coyer. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photo by Lieutenant Gary McHugh.

History News Royal Australian Navy

44 years of Stirling service

12/08/202216/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1800 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling

Navy’s biggest base celebrated a birthday milestone recently as HMAS Stirling marked 44 years of service to the nation. CAPTION:

Commander Fleet Air Arm Commodore David Frost, right, presents Lieutenant Ian Donovan with the Federation Star for 40 years of service at a presentation ceremony at HMAS Albatross. Story by Lieutenant Danielle Worthey. Photo: Petty Officer Justin Brown.

ADF People History

Federation Star shines upon aviation engineer

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1980 Views 1 Comment Federation Star, HMAS Albatross, No. 723 Squadron, No. 817 Squadron, Sea King

Aviation engineer from HMAS Albatross Lieutenant Ian Donovan has quietly clicked over 40 years of loyal service. CAPTION: Commander Fleet Air

Lieutenant Commander David Gould, First Lieutenant of HMAS Canberra, squares away lines as the ship conducts Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in the Pacific Ocean. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People

Celebrating a 40-year milestone

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1492 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC

‘When I stop having fun I’ll go,’ is the mantra Lieutenant Commander David Gould has lived by and the reason

A United States Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft prepares to refuel from a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft over the Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin and Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

US Lancers sweep into the Top End

09/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1947 Views 0 Comments B-1B Lancer, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, US Air Force

A pair of United States Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancer bombers recently swept into the skies of the Northern Territory.

A member of Air Force's No. 2 Squadron is winched from a life raft on Nelson Bay to a search and rescue helicopter during a survival training exercise. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Lieutenant Samuel Hicks.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Survival training gets real

09/08/202209/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1757 Views 0 Comments CHC Helicopter, E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron

A dramatic marine search and rescue effort at Nelson Bay looked nail-bitingly real, but was in fact a training exercise

Sergeant Nathan Judd, right, with caterer Private Sam O’Brien in the deployable catering capability during the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program in Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Allen.

Australian Army News

Upgraded catering capability on show

09/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2308 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, AACAP, Indigenous

Catering Commander Sergeant Nathan Judd and his team of six chefs from the 10th Force Support Battalion are having the

Soldiers from 2RAR secure a beach as part of a small-boat operations activity during RIMPAC. Photos: Corporal John Solomon.

Australian Army News USA

Jumping into action

09/08/202215/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2462 Views 0 Comments 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, F470 Zodiac, HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC, US Marines

Landing forces put their training to the test in a multi-national reconnaissance mission during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)

Lieutenant Commander Jessica Kuk, left, Able Seaman Brendon Manthey, Seaman Alexandra Menthey and Able Seaman Aiaba-Denzel Taylor pose in their race outfits during Relay for Life 2022. Story by Lieutenant Commander Jessica O’Brien. Photo supplied.

ADF People Lest We Forget

Team effort to help in fight against cancer

09/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1671 Views 0 Comments HMAS Cairns

HMAS Cairns personnel raised $3,744 for The Cancer Council in the annual Relay for Life on July 30 at Barlow

Able Seaman Miranda McLaughlin operates the combat system consoles in the operations room of HMAS Canberra during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People

A RIMPAC to remember

09/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1282 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC

Able Seaman Miranda McLaughlin has had an Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 to remember. CAPTION: Able Seaman Miranda

Former sailors Uncle Phillip Bowie and Aunty Fran Visini have rejoined the Navy in new mentoring roles. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Lieutenant Commander Christoper Thornton.

ADF People

Navy enlists first Indigenous Elders

09/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1488 Views 1 Comment Indigenous, Navy Indigenous Development Program, Navy Reserve

Two former sailors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent were welcomed back on board with appointments as Navy’s first

Mr Des Jones commemorates the 80th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Canberra (I) as the last remaining survivor, held at the Naval Chapel, Garden Island, Sydney. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo: byLeading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Commemorating the Battle of Savo Island

09/08/202209/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1301 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra (I), Solomon Islands, WWII

The last surviving crew member of HMAS Canberra (I), 99-year-old Des Jones, remembers how he narrowly escaped death when his

Founders of cyber security business InfoSect which won funding through the Next Generation Technologies Fund to develop its cyber security tool, BOGONG. Story by Edwina Callus. Photo from Thorson Photography.

ADF News Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Small business has big future

05/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1919 Views 0 Comments DST

Funding through Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF) has helped a small cyber security start-up grow its business from being

Pilot Officer Mitchell Kennedy, centre, with his father, grandfather and photo of his great-grandfather next to a PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Chris Kershaw.

ADF People History

Kennedy family’s flying legacy continues

05/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2241 Views 0 Comments No 79 Squadron, No. 2 FTS, PC-21

Most kids grow up dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot. CAPTION: Pilot Officer Mitchell Kennedy, centre, with his father, grandfather

Group Captain Mike Burgess-Orton believes the Defence Blood Challenge will benefit many people like his wife Abigail who receive regular blood products to combat life threatening illness. Story by John Noble. Photo by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Taking on the blood challenge to save lives

05/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1613 Views 0 Comments Red Cross Blood Challenge

Donating blood, plasma or platelets could make a significant impact to another person’s quality of life who is in need.

Army soldier Sergeant Nathan Judd with Gapuwiyak community members enjoying the meal they cooked during hospitality training as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program in Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Corporal Lucas Petersen.

Australian Army News

Community fulfilment through more than just food

05/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2144 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, AACAP, Indigenous

There is so much more to the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) catering team than just cooking. CAPTION: Army