Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

RAAF Base Amberley Firefighter, Leading Aircraftman Raymond Solinas, is proud of his family's history and service to Defence. He is one of more than 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aviators in Air Force today. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Dion Isaac.

Aviator shares his heritage

27/05/202227/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1626 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, RAAF Amberley

Leading Aircraftman Raymond Solinas, a Ngugi and Kaantju man from Cairns, is proud of his family’s history and service to

The six reservist specialist service officers were appointed at Defence Force Recruiting Perth through the BHP/Army Workforce Mobility Trial. Story by Jesse Spry.

ADF People Sovereign industry

BHP partnership draws recruits

27/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1975 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Defence Force Recruiting

Six reservist specialist service officers (SSO) were appointed at Defence Force Recruiting Perth at the end of April through the

Then Warrant Officer Class 2 Darren Moffitt with his artwork titled “The Salute”. It depicted a dugong as the centrepiece was created for the Royal Australian Navy’s centenary in 2011. It told the story of Indigenous service and connection to Navy. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

ADF People

A combination of art and service

27/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1652 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Indigenous soldiers, recent

Darren Moffitt didn’t think his first batch of Indigenous artwork was very special. He painted to pass time in hospital and

F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit fly over the Northern Territory during Exercise Rogue Ambush 21-1. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred and Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Next generation of Top Guns to strike in Top End Storm

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2363 Views 0 Comments Delamere Air Weapons Range, Exercise Diamond Storm, F-35A Lightning II, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Tindal

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Exercise Diamond Storm 22 will be held in the skies above the Northern Territory from

Aviators from No 381 and No. 1 Security Forces Squadrons guide a pilot with protective clothing through the decontamination processes during Exercise Toxic Safari at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise prepares aviators for toxic threats

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2550 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group, Combat Support Group, No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., No. 381 Squadron, No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Air Force personnel at RAAF Base Amberley have tested their preparedness for the most dangerous warfighting environments: chemical, biological, radiological

A C-130J Hercules comes in to land at Lord Howe Island on May 10 during aircrew training circuits at the island’s airfield. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Hercules crews return to Lord Howe Island

26/05/202228/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2595 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

RAAF’s C-130J Hercules transport aircraft crews have returned to Lord Howe Island for essential training following the lifting of COVID-19

From left, Sergeant Gareth Burrows, Private Rhys McBride, Private Omid Sharifi and Craftsman Ashley Doyle load donated furniture into one of the trucks. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Sergeant Jason Slape.

Australian Army News

Soldiers move donated furniture for Toowoomba residents

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1801 Views 0 Comments 9th Force Support Battalion, Operation Flood Assist 2022

Members of 9th Force Support Battalion (9 FSB) helped transport $20,000 of donated furniture from a depot in Brisbane to

Chaplain Haydn Parsons talks with Republic of Fijian Military Forces soldier Staff Sergeant Eliki Seasea, centre, and Pastor Martin Nehemiah at Burns Creek Clinic in Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Corporal Jarrod McAneney.

ADF People

Chaplain helps Solomon Islands communities during lockdowns

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1585 Views 0 Comments COVID-19, Operation Lilia, Solomon Islands

As COVID-19 took hold in Solomon Islands, public gatherings, including religious services, ground to a halt, making the role of

Captain John Whiteley, right, confirms the presence of military equipment with Finnish colleague Captain Pasi Nukarinen during a routine patrol in the Golan Heights. Story and photo by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper.

Australian Army Middle East News

Observers help keep the peace in Golan

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1951 Views 0 Comments Operation Paladin, UN Truce Supervision Organisation

Keeping an eagle eye is more than just a saying for United Nations Military Observer Captain John Whiteley. CAPTION: Captain

Army Corporal Sam Jamieson from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment trains with the United States Marine Corps at Shoalwater Bay training area, Queensland, as part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2022. Story by Major Jesse Robilliard. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army Japan News USA Videos

Jackaroo removes fences to improve interoperability

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2755 Views 0 Comments 6 RAR, EF-88, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), USMC

The Australian Army, United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) are removing the barriers to success

A fuel line is padded from HMAS Stalwart, right, to HMAS Parramatta during Stalwart's first replenishment at sea. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Stalwart ‘open for business’

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1787 Views 1 Comment Fleet Base West, HMAS Parramatta, HMAS Stalwart

The crew of HMAS Stalwart recently achieved a major milestone in the ship’s short time in service when they successfully

The Bluebottle uncrewed surface vehicle from Ocius Technology Ltd operates in the waters of Jervis Bay during Exercise Autonomous Warrior 22. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Nicole Mankowski.

News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Videos

Navy tests autonomous technologies

26/05/202226/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3666 Views 0 Comments DSTG, HMAS Creswell

About 40 new, innovative autonomous technologies are being tested and evaluated in the waters of Jervis Bay on Exercise Autonomous

Royal Australian Navy personnel transfer passengers from a stricken Royal Solomon Islands Police Force vessel to HMAS Ararat on May 21. Story by Captain Lily Charles.

News Pacific Police Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Ararat’s crew rescues Solomon Islands police

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2091 Views 2 Comments HMAS Ararat, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

The crew of HMAS Ararat rescued a Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) crew last Saturday after the police vessel

Flight Lieutenant Kristian Henderson with his dive gear on board HMAS Adelaide's alongside Garden Island. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People

From scanning skies for aircraft to diving below ships

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1410 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Penguin

Flight Lieutenant Kristian Henderson, who is a RAAF air traffic controller (ATC) in the landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide, jumped

Group Captain Andrew Figtree, Director - Test and Evaluation Directorate with trainee guide dog 'Roman', on the Aircraft Research and Development Unit flight line, at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Leading Aircraftwoman Jasna McFeeters. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Guide dog Roman visits RAAF Base Edinburgh

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1421 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh

Roman, a golden retriever guide dog puppy, was a welcome sight at the Air Warfare Centre at RAAF Base Edinburgh

Sergeant Stephanie Brooks concentrates on the task at hand while working at South Camp in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Story and photo by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper.

ADF People

Soldier wields her keyboard on deployment

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1136 Views 0 Comments MFO, Operation Mazurka

The backbone of Operation Mazurka, chief clerk Sergeant Stephanie Brooks, wields a keyboard to keep our troops on track. CAPTION:

Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nick O'Connor. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Air show pilot talks us through his F-35A display

26/05/202227/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2366 Views 0 Comments Air Show, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit

Defence has a long and proud history of showcasing its cutting-edge assets and highly skilled personnel at public events throughout

Solomon Islands Police Force officers practise their knot tying skills as part of practical maritime safety training with the Australian Defence Force in the use and maintenance of aluminium long boats in Honiara. Photo by Corporal Julia Whitwell.

ADF Australian Army News Pacific

Small boats, big gesture of friendship

21/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2361 Views 0 Comments Guardian-class Patrol Boat, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

Two new vessels have been handed over to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Division to support maritime

Warrant Officer Class One Mick Dewar takes part in the 40th anniversary parade at South Camp in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. story and photo by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper.

Australian Army Middle East News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Helping keep the peace in Sinai for 40 years

21/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3375 Views 0 Comments MFO, Operation Mazurka

Personnel representing seven nations marched using their own drills when they entered a parade ground in Egypt to the beat of

Royal New Zealand Navy 2022 Sailor of the Year Leading Hand Jemma Hokai-Mataia addressed the gathering at the Women in Maritime session held on May 12 during the Sea Power conference in Sydney.

ADF People

Women in the maritime industry celebrated

21/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2137 Views 0 Comments Royal New Zealand Navy, Sea Power 2022

What do a rear admiral, a maritime lawyer and the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 2022 Sailor of the Year have