Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Captain Mark McConnell meets the Queen on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1986. Story by Captain Mark McConnell.

Captain’s personal interactions with good-humoured Queen

16/09/202225/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 523 Views 1 Comment Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Memories of Queen Elizabeth II will be cherished by the many privileged to meet and mix with her during her

Members of the HMAS Perth ceremonial guard stand at attention during an official reception for the Exercise Kakadu 2022 opening ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photos by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.

Kakadu opens with remembrance and respect

16/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 491 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Perth, Indigenous, Navy Band, Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Exercise Kakadu 2022 has been officially opened in Darwin with a reception steeped in tradition, remembrance and respect. CAPTION: Members

Members of Australia's Federation Guard fire a M2A2 howitzer ceremonial gun during a 96-gun salute held at Parliament House in Canberra to honour the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Photo: byCorporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Australia’s 96-gun salute for Her Majesty The Queen

16/09/202217/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 598 Views 1 Comment Australia’s Federation Guard, King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Her Majesty The Queen passed away on September 8, 2022. CAPTION: Members of Australia’s Federation Guard fire a M2A2 howitzer

Leading Seaman Cameron Green at Wellington Barracks, London. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

ADF People

Honoured to take part

16/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 361 Views 0 Comments Australia’s Federation Guard, Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Slow-marching through the streets of London in a dress rehearsal for next week’s royal funeral procession is an experience one

Royal Australian Air Force firefighter Leading Aircraftwoman Carla Russell at Wellington Barracks, London. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo: byCorporal John Solomon.

ADF People

Proud to perform solemn duty

16/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 223 Views 0 Comments Australia’s Federation Guard, Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

On Monday, Leading Aircraftwoman Carla Russell will take part in a ceremonial duty in the United Kingdom for the second

Australian Defence Force Academy midshipmen and officer cadets make up the Guard for the opening of Parliament House on May 9, 1988. Captain Jayne Craig’s white uniform reflects the Queen's pink outfit. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

ADF People

Naval officers remember another Royal day

16/09/202225/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 258 Views 0 Comments Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Three naval officers have recalled their unforgettable experience of the day new Parliament House opened and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

The Governor-General, General (retd) Sir David Hurley, attaches the Streamer, East Timor 1999-2003, to the Princess Anne banner during the 1st Signal Regiment honours parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Story by Captain Jessica O’Reilly. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army History News

Theatre Honour presented to 1st Signal Regiment

09/09/202213/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1276 Views 0 Comments 1st Signal Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks, Governor-General

Two prestigious commendations were awarded to the 1st Signal Regiment during a parade at Gallipoli Barracks this week. CAPTION: The

Royal Australian Navy medical officers Commander Robert Turner and Lieutenant Cody Nash transfer a simulated casualty from a MH-60R Seahawk during a training exercise on board HMAS Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Medical ’emergency’ tests skills

09/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1018 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, MH-60R Seahawk, Operation Render Safe

At the request of the government of Nauru, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployed a team of specialist personnel to

Hobart-class guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney strikes a land target with a Harpoon surface-to-surface missile during Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2022. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin.

Asia Japan News Pacific Royal Australian Navy USA

Forces combine for firepower mission

09/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1008 Views 0 Comments Evolved Sea Sparrow, Exercise Pacific Vanguard, HMAS Perth, HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, US Navy

In the seas off the tropical island of Guam, five nations have again combined to test their maritime warfare skills

Australian Army Corporal Aiko Gabriel, right, with Philippine Army Private First Class John Paul Madriaga, left, and 1st Lieutenant Karl Philip A.Amantillo during Exercise Predators Run. Story by Major Megan McDermott. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

ADF People

Communication key on combined exercise

09/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 656 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Predators Run

Far from the cool weather at home in Canberra, Australian Army Corporal Aiko Gabriel recently patrolled the austere terrain of the

The Round for Life 2022 cyclists begin their 2300km fundraising journey from Picnic Point in Toowoomba. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by WO2 Kim Allen.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Riding for a cancer cure

09/09/202209/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 581 Views 0 Comments 7th Signal Regiment, Defence Force School of Signals

The words “How’s Kenny going?” may sound like a typical question a mate would ask another mate after work one

You don't have to be a mental health professional to ask R U OK? Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

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

The question we can all ask, today and every day

09/09/202209/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 513 Views 0 Comments mental health, RUOK

R U OK? Day is Australia’s national day of action, originally established through Gavin Larkin’s lived experience of suicide bereavement

Crowds catch the action as an F/A-18F Super Hornet flies low and fast to celebrate the opening of the Brisbane Festival's Riverfire on September 3. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Precision flying on display at Riverfire

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 488 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Army Aviation Training Centre, Defence Force Recruiting, HMAS Moreton, Military Working Dogs, Navy Band

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) provided a spectacular curtain-raiser for Queensland’s largest arts and cultural event, Brisbane Festival’s Riverfire, on

Flight Sergeant Shan Origliasso with her daughter Zahlee, wearing her father’s medals, are supported by Legacy after the loss of their partner and father Leith Walsh in 2019. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Flight Sergeant Shan Origliasso.

ADF People

Bears and pens make huge impact

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 488 Views 0 Comments Legacy, Legacy Week

For Flight Sergeant Shan Origliasso and her seven-year-old daughter Zahlee, life would be a lot harder without the support they

Senior ADF Officer at RAAF Base Amberley Group Captain Iain Carty and Bruce McGowan stand in front of the two cuddle beds presented to the palliative care unit of Warwick Hospital. Story by Flying Officer Greg Hinks. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

A place to hold loved ones close

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 410 Views 0 Comments RAAF Amberley

A cuddle bed has been presented to Warwick Hospital’s palliative care unit in honour of the late Flight Lieutenant Belinda

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 pilot Captain Hiroki Tetsuo prepares for a sortie at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson .

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Air-to-air refuelling a success

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 533 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport

A mid-air refuelling exercise has demonstrated Japan and Australia’s commitment to Pacific cooperation at Exercise Pitch Black 2022. CAPTION: Japan

Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Simone Menzel, a medical technician from No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Medical team ready to respond

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 410 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, French Air and Space Force, No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, RAAF Darwin

No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron have been well-equipped to provide emergency medical service to the 16 visiting nations at Exercise

RAAF ground support equipment technician Corporal James Harding, left, and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft arrestor systems technician Corporal Evan Barbeau maintain a BAK arrestor arm. Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Stopping jets in their tracks

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 354 Views 0 Comments canada, Exercise Pitch Black, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, Royal Canadian Air Force

With the influx of fast jets from around the world at Exercise Pitch Black, the mechanical equipment operations and maintenance

RAAF Leading Aircraftman Thomas Clarke-Kelly, right, and UK Royal Air Force Air Specialist Class One Declan McTrusty, centre, work together to refuel a Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG Eagle aircraft. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

News Royal Australian Air Force UK

Fuel on demand and on time

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 253 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, RAAF Darwin, RAF

Nearly a hundred aircraft have been flying in and out of RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black and the one

Flight Sergeant Geoff McLaughin, from No. 77 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, sells a Legacy bear to Louise Neider in Newcastle during Legacy Week. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Emotional connection to Legacy Week

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 276 Views 0 Comments Legacy, Legacy Week, No. 3 CRU, No. 77 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

The volunteer sheet filled fast when nominations were called to collect fundraising money for Legacy Week throughout the Hunter region.