Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australian Army officer Major Nathanael von Muralt (left) who is serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Peacekeepers from 61 countries are represented in MINUSMA. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossup.

Australian Army officer working to keep the peace in Mali

08/07/202214/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3467 Views 0 Comments UN Peacekeeping

Seeing a man riding a motorcycle while carrying two goats in one of the world’s poorest nations is part and

Personnel from HMAS Maryborough transport three rescued civilians in a rigid hull inflatable boat off Darwin, Northern Territory. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan.

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Boaters rescued off Darwin

08/07/202209/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2314 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Maryborough, P-8A Poseidon

Air Force and Navy have cooperated with Commonwealth and Northern Territory agencies to swiftly rescue three recreational boaters after their

Members of 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment prepare to disembark a Boxer from one of HMAS Adelaide's landing craft near Cowley Beach training area. Story by Corporal Robert Whitmore. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Boxers hit the beach

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2841 Views 2 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Boxer CRV, Exercise Sea Explorer

Two of Army’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRV) were put to the test when they completed their wet and dry

Royal Australian Navy Midshipman Daniel Snels and Able Seaman Alice Shelverton from Joint Task Force 629 assess the Hawkesbury River flooding in Pitt Town, NSW. Photo by David Cotton.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Defence supporting communities affected by flooding

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2120 Views 0 Comments MH-60R Seahawk, MRH-90 Taipan, NSW Flood Assist

Defence is providing support to communities affected by the NSW floods in response to requests from NSW Emergency Services through

A Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, such as this one, was involved in the rescue of three residents from Kangaroo Valley who were trapped by flood waters.

News Royal Australian Navy

Night-time rescue of flood-stranded residents

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2120 Views 0 Comments MH-60R Seahawk, No. 816 Squadron (RAN), NSW Flood Assist

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter has evacuated three residents from their home in the Upper Kangaroo Valley following threats

Corporal Tara Enchong's career has grown with the help of her mentor, Squadron Leader Simon Longley. Story by John Noble.

ADF People

Building careers through cultural understanding

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1488 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, NAIDOC Week, RAAF Amberley

The growing career of Corporal Tara Enchong is a success story of Air Force’s Cross Cultural Mentoring Program, which builds

Navy's Inaugural Indigenous Cultural Performer, Able Seaman Aviation Support Lynton Robbins plays the yidaki/didgeridoo at Garden Island Defence Precinct, Sydney. Story by Leading Seaman Jonathan Rendell. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People Videos

Navy’s first Indigenous Cultural Performer leads the way

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1637 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, NAIDOC Week, Navy Band, Navy Indigenous Development Program

When Able Seaman Lynton Robbins joined the Royal Australian Navy, he never imagined he would one day be part of shaping

Australian Army soldier Sergeant John Downie (left), from University of New South Wales Regiment, during the 2022 Finke Desert Race, Northern Territory. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Sgt John Downie.

ADF People

Army rides high in Australia’s largest desert race

08/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1708 Views 0 Comments 10/27 Battalion Royal South Australian Regiment, 5RAR

Despite broken bones and blown engines, Army riders recorded strong results in Australia’s largest off-road desert race last month. CAPTION:

Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief stores ready to be loaded on to a No. 36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster bound for Fiji from RAAF Base Amberley.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Essential supplies delivered to Fiji

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1694 Views 0 Comments Blackrock, C-17A Globemaster III, Fiji, No. 36 Squadron

The Australian Defence Force has worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to deliver almost 100 pallets of

Drone operator Leading Aircraftman Sam Payda with a R70 Skyranger at the Air Force Drone Racing Tournament Exhibition day at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Corporal Veronica O'Hara. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

Team spirit powers drone pilot to victory

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2553 Views 1 Comment Jericho, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, R70 SkyRanger UAS, RAAF Amberley, Shadow 200 UAS, STEM

Team spirit gave Flight Lieutenant Jake Dell-O’Sullivan the power he needed to become the fastest Air Force Drone Racing Association

Airborne Electronics Analyst Corporal Sean Toogood, left, Pilot Flying Officer Isaac Stephenson and Airborne Electronics Analyst Corporal Thomas Inslay, from No. 11 Squadron, at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

News Royal Australian Air Force

A chance for the Poseidon to find its land legs

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2115 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, Exercise Diamond Storm, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon

For the first time, P-8A Poseidon crews joined Exercise Diamond Storm. CAPTION: Airborne Electronics Analyst Corporal Sean Toogood, left, Pilot

Aunty Deb Booker, Air Force Elder. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Dion Isaacson.

ADF People Videos

Advocate for meaningful change together

06/07/202206/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1455 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, NAIDOC Week

CAPTION: Aunty Deb Booker, Air Force Elder. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Dion Isaacson. A message from Air Force Indigenous Elder

Norforce Darwin Squadron soldiers, Private Peter Puruntatameri, left, Private Blake Carter and Private Misman Kris on a beach in Melville Island during a community engagement visit to the Tiwi Islands. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Australian Army News

Local knowledge protecting the north

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2263 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Indigenous, NORFORCE, Program Vigilant

When North-West Mobile Force’s (Norforce) Darwin Squadron patrols the Top End, establishing and maintaining relationships is just as important as

Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presents the "weight" of command to Vice Admiral Mark Hammond during the Chief of Navy Change of Command Ceremony. Photo by Leading Seaman Tara Morrison.

ADF People

Change of Navy command in Canberra

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1537 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy

The “weight” of command of the Royal Australian Navy has been officially handed over by the outgoing Chief of Navy,

State Emergency Service and Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army personnel from Joint Task Force 629 conduct sandbagging at the Mount Druitt State Emergency Service depot to assist in the flood response efforts in New South Wales.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Defence supporting communities affected by flooding

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1485 Views 0 Comments MH-60R Seahawk, NSW Flood Assist, State Emergency Service (SES)

Defence helicopters and 100 personnel have been deployed to support communities impacted by the NSW floods. CAPTION: State Emergency Service

ADF personnel, Defence civilians and a member from the New Zealand Defence Force, at Head Quarters Joint Operations Command, after completing the push-up challenge. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Pushing the mental health message

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1396 Views 0 Comments HQJOC, Lifeline, mental health

Doing thousands of push-ups over 24 days in June left 150 people at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) fatigued, but

HMAS Supply conducts CIWS firing trials during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

Firing a first for Supply

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2090 Views 0 Comments HMAS Supply, Phalanx

HMAS Supply successfully completed a first-of-class firing trial of the Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) during a regional presence deployment.

HMAS Brisbane’s rigid hulled inflatable boat crew rescues the stricken mariners from the hull of their upturned yacht off the coast of Wollongong. Photo supplied.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Brisbane to the rescue

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1486 Views 0 Comments AMSA, Fleet Base East, HMAS Brisbane

Two sailors from a capsized yacht were rescued in extreme sea conditions by the crew of the Royal Australian Navy

Navy's Inaugural Indigenous Cultural Performer, Able Seaman Aviation Support Lynton Robbins and the Director of Music-Navy, Commander Cassandra Mohapp at Garden Island Defence Precinct, Sydney. Story by Leading Seaman Jonathan Rendell. Photo by ABIS Susan Mossop.

ADF People

Navy stands up Indigenous cultural performers

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1354 Views 0 Comments HMAS Encounter III, Indigenous, Indigenous Cultural Performer (ICP), Navy Band, Navy Indigenous Development Program

The Royal Australian Navy Band has established Indigenous cultural performer (ICP) positions within its ranks. CAPTION: Navy’s Inaugural Indigenous Cultural

Chris Goodrum (17 years old) from The Murri School, also known as The Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School at Acacia Ridge, staring out the window of C-27J Spartan, as part of a NAIDOC Week visit to RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flying Officer Greg Hinks.

ADF People

First time in the sky broadens horizons

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1513 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Indigenous, NAIDOC Week, No. 35 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

When Chris Goodrum, 17, set foot on the tarmac at RAAF Base Amberley, he could barely contain his excitement. CAPTION: