Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australian Army rifleman Corporal Joshua Townsend coaches a soldier from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces during a live-fire qualifying shoot at Gallipoli Barracks. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Fijian infantrymen set the standard

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2203 Views 0 Comments 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, 7th Combat Service Support Battalion, 8/9 RAR, Coral Warrior 22, EF88 Austyer rifle, Gallipoli Barracks, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

A contingent of Fijian infantrymen are undertaking support company and other courses at Gallipoli Barracks over the next two months,

US Special Agent Justin Smith and Australian Army Captain Nicholas Wood pose in front of Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army News Pacific Police USA

JMPU forges investigative partnership with NCIS

29/07/202202/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3242 Views 0 Comments Military Police, RIMPAC

The Australian Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU) team reached out to their US counterparts to foster a cooperative relationship during

Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, disembark from two US Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallions during a simulated urban close combat scenario on Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

Australian Army Pacific USA

Urban close combat training takes off

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2254 Views 0 Comments 1st Regiment RAR, His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga, HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC, United States Marine Corps

A fictional village bustles with the chatter of role players and enemy party as Australian and Tongan infantry teams wait,

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter winches Commanding Officer HMAS Parramatta Commander David Murphy onto the flight deck during their regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin and Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

A visit from ‘royalty’ and a last port call

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2580 Views 1 Comment HMAS Parramatta, MH-60R Seahawk, US Navy

HMAS Parramatta recently concluded its last port visit as part of its regional presence deployment following a busy program of

HMAS Anzac drew a large crowd as the ship held an open day during its recent three-day visit to the ship’s ceremonial home port of Albany, Western Australia. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photo: byKrysta Guille.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Anzac returns home

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1892 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base West, HMAS Anzac

HMAS Anzac paid a visit to its ceremonial home port of Albany recently as part of the city’s Maritime Festival.

Graduates of the Indigenous Pre-Recruit Program fall in for the Graduation Ceremony held at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. Story by Lieutenant Josephine Rider.

ADF People

HMAS Stirling hosts Indigenous Pre-Recruit Program

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1442 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling, Indigenous

Eight future Indigenous sailors, soldiers and aviators graduated from the recent Indigenous Pre-Recruit Program (IPRP) held at HMAS Stirling. CAPTION:

Leading Seaman Alyssa Clark on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra as the ship conducts Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Story and photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.

ADF People

Sailor honoured to represent Australia

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1414 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC

Leading Seaman Alyssa Clark serves on board landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra, where she works as a flight deck marshaller

Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice Marshal Stephen Meredith delivers the keynote address at the book launch of Invited to a War at RAAF Base Laverton. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Squadron Leader Anna Williams.

ADF People History

Autobiography details passion for air power

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1163 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Laverton

Invited to a War, a new edition of the autobiography of Air Vice Marshal Alan Reed, was launched at RAAF

Lyric from the Nunukul Yuggera Dance Troupe leads the members and guests in a traditional dance at the opening of the Amberley Indigenous Cultural Precinct. Story by Flying Officer Greg Hinks. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

A place for a yarn at Amberley

29/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1789 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, Indigenous, RAAF Amberley

A new space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all cultures, to meet, reflect, and tell

A soldier from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment interacts with a Charters Towers local at the at the Exercise Brolga Run 2022 community open day. CAPTION: Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Gunner Gregory Scott.

Australian Army New Zealand News

Soldiers connect with rural town

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2216 Views 0 Comments 3rd Brigade

The regional township of Charters Towers, nearly 140km to the southwest of Townsville, was a hive of military activity from

Teachers and students of Lekutu Secondary School during the official handover ceremony to celebrate the completion of the reconstruction project in Vanua Levu, Fiji on July 21. Story by Captain Sarah Kelly. Photo by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Rebuilding schools for Fijian leaders of tomorrow

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2498 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, Fiji, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Tropical Cyclone Ana, Tropical Cyclone Yasa

In a rural Fijian town well off the tourist map, hundreds of school children were dancing, singing and celebrating the

Australian Defence Force personnel assist homeowners affected by floods in Mulgrave, New South Wales. Story by Major Martin Hadley. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

ADF concludes latest NSW flood assistance

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1676 Views 0 Comments Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, NSW Flood Assist, State Emergency Service (SES)

The last of the 250 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel supporting the New South Wales (NSW) government and emergency services

Sub Lieutenant Thomas Watson keeps watch on the bridge of HMAS Canberra during Exercise RIMPAC 2022. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

News Royal Australian Navy USA

HMAS Canberra: On time, on target

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2450 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, MV-22 Osprey, RIMPAC, US Navy

Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 has provided a plethora of opportunities for interoperability between the Australian Defence Force

Dr Michael Davey, right, and his team stop for a photo at the Northern Territory border as they ride around Australia raising money for Soldier On. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Sergeant Sebastian Beurich.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Riding postie bikes for mental health

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1799 Views 0 Comments mental health, Soldier On

Dressed like Wally from Where’s Wally while riding postie bikes around Australia, three former sailors are contending with 14,500km of road

Royal Australian Navy EC-135 Aircraft from 723 Squadron conduct a fly past during the 723 Squadron Graduation Ceremony held at HMAS Albatross in Nowra. Story by Sub Lieutenant Jess Gould. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas .

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Aircrew graduates receive their wings

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2472 Views 0 Comments EC-135, Navy Band, No. 723 Squadron, PC-21, Tiger ARH

The first aircrew to graduate from 723 Squadron – Joint Helicopter School in its 70th year have received their wings

Royal Australian Navy Chaplain Catherine Wynn Jones, right, at the International Chaplaincy Symposium at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy USA

Multi-faiths come together with common goal

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2077 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, RIMPAC

Christian, Muslim and Buddhist chaplains have come together onboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii with a common goal to

Navy Cadet Chief Petty Officer Rory Jacket, left, congratulates Vice Admiral Mark Hammond after the Chief of Navy Change of Command Ceremony at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photo by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin and Lieutenant Brendan Trembath.

ADF People

New Chief of Navy takes the helm

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1774 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond is energised and eager to get on with the huge task he has

Indigenous Advisory Committee members Patrick Johnson, left, and Kyle Vander-Kuyp are joined by Air Mobility Group Warrant Officer Stephen Weaver, centre, in a race with local kids on Thursday Island. Story by Flight Lieutenant Suellen Heath. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Reaching new heights through Olympic partnership

22/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2238 Views 0 Comments Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), C-27J Spartan, Indigenous, NAIDOC Week

A new partnership developed between Air Force and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) was celebrated during a recent trip to the

Participants of the Australian Industry Defence Network in front of a C-130J Hercules during a visit to RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Industry sees action at Richmond

22/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2478 Views 0 Comments Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN), C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

For many of Defence’s industry partners, seeing the end result of their work is only possible by watching the news.

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Luke Brown during a training session for the 48forM8's challenge in Melbourne, Victoria. Story by Captain Carolyn Barnett.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Gruelling test of fitness for charity

22/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2013 Views 0 Comments mental health, mental toughness

Three Australian Defence Force officers are putting themselves to the ultimate test of fitness this weekend for charity: a 48 hour-long