Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Warrant Officer Andrew Freame during his last sunset ceremony onboard HMAS Hobart at Fleet Base East, Sydney, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Angela Faulkner. Photos by Able Seaman Danyellah Hill.

Final sail for warrant officer clocking 50 years

05/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1446 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Hobart

The ability to travel the world is what attracted Warrant Officer Andrew ‘Possum’ Freame to Navy life 50 years ago.

People’s Army of Vietnam UN peacekeepers prepare to take off from Juba International Airport, South Sudan, after boarding a RAAF 36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster during a strategic airlift. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Vietnamese medics rotate to South Sudan thanks to RAAF

05/11/202408/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1400 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, No. 36 Squadron, South Sudan, UN Peacekeeping, Vietnam

Lieutenant Do Thi Dieu Huyen wanted to show the world a heroic face. CAPTION: People’s Army of Vietnam UN peacekeepers prepare

Warrant Officer Class One Frank Franolic, right of centre, stands with friends and family after being presented with his third Federation Star. Story by Captain Carlie Gibson. Photo by Warrant Officer Class Two David Eason.

ADF People Australian Army

Still proud to be called a sapper after 50 years

01/11/202407/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1372 Views 0 Comments Federation Star, Sapper, School of Military Engineering

In a celebration of dedication and commitment, Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Frank Franolic was awarded his third Federation Star

Lance Corporal Ben Pascoe and Private Shanon Holloway take on the roles of Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major for the day at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Captain Brittany Evans. Photo by Trooper Dana Millington.

Australian Army News

Diggers take charge at 3 Brigade for a day

01/11/202407/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1227 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Lavarack Barracks, Legacy

It was that time of year last month for soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment to raise funds

A civilian Beechcraft D18S and two civilian T-6 Harvards fly in formation at Warbirds Downunder in Temora, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Paris Rigney.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Blasting in from the past

01/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2373 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, Roulettes, Temora Aviation Museum

The skies of Temora echoed with aviation from the past and present, with the Air Force supporting the Warbirds Downunder

From left, Pilot Officer Justin Mulligan and Warrant Officer William Kinloch with a DeHavilland Mosquito fighter bomber in 1944. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

WWII pilots awarded after 80 years

01/11/202402/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1632 Views 0 Comments No. 464 Squadron, WWII

Eighty years after their service in the skies of occupied Europe, two Royal Australian Air Force aviators have been posthumously

Outgoing Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Newman, hands over Commanding Officer responsibilities to Lieutenant Commander Andrew Leupen at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney. Story by Leading Seaman Peta Binns. Photos by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

New blood for Young Endeavour

01/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1062 Views 1 Comment Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour

Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour welcomes a new Commanding Officer as Lieutenant Commander Andrew Leupen takes the helm, ready

Able Seaman Brenton Manuel, back right, meets his grandparents for the first time as HMAS Sydney is berthed alongside Busan, Republic of Korea, during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

ADF People Lest We Forget Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Sydney a ship of firsts

01/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 726 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, HMAS Sydney III, Korean War, Republic of Korea

HMAS Sydney had a lot of firsts during its recent regional presence deployment, and one of them was the ship’s

Military Personnel Division is creating an integrated approach to career management and support across Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Navigating an ADF career

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1415 Views 0 Comments Military Personnel Division

ADF personnel can now access all career management and personnel support information in one place thanks to the new Military

Private Riley Wakenshaw and his father Sergeant Paul Wakenshaw, who worked together on logistics at a cadet exercise. Story by Cadet Lance Corporal Elijah Dunks.

ADF People

Father and son come full circle with cadets

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1202 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion (3CSSB), Army Reserve, Australian Army Cadets, Exercise Emu

Two soldiers who participated in a recent cadet exercise took the ADF’s aim of fostering a family-like culture literally. CAPTION: Private

Director Veterans' South Australia, Bianca Wheeler, pays her respects after laying a wreath at the ‘Keeping Place’ at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photo by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Veterans’ advisory visits RAAF Base

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1508 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Veterans Advisory Council (VAC)

The South Australian Veterans Advisory Council and members of Veterans South Australia visited RAAF Base Edinburgh on October 21 to

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla with, from left, Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, on board the Admiral Hudson. Story. y Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Lucinda Allanson.

News Royal Australian Navy Videos

All eyes on Royal review

29/10/202402/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2911 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Governor-General of Australia, King Charles III

Thousands of spectators lined the harbour around Garden Island, cheering and waving as the monarch sailed past. Those manning the

Students from Navy's Mine Warfare Faculty wade out in the water as part of training in Tasmania.

News Royal Australian Navy

The cutting edge of autonomous technology

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1060 Views 0 Comments Australian Maritime College, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

The latest graduation of Navy’s Autonomous Maritime Systems Course marked an important milestone in preparing naval personnel to deliver future-focused

Soldiers fire a Javelin weapon system during the Direct Fire Support Weapons course. Story by Captain Adrienne Goode. Photo by Sergeant Peng Zhang.

Australian Army News

Soldiers sharpen firepower skills

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1210 Views 0 Comments 10/27 Battalion Royal South Australian Regiment, 2nd (Australia) Division, 9th Brigade, Cultana

Soldiers from across the 2nd (Australian) Division completed the direct fire support weapons training course at Cultana Training Area in

Marine engineers from HMAS Brisbane tour the South West Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego in the US, as part of a scheduled maintenance period to upgrade the ship’s systems. Story by Marie Davies. Photos by Petty Officer Andrew Coleman.

News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology USA

Aussie marine engineers check out USN 3D technologies

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1666 Views 0 Comments Brisbane, US Navy

Marine engineers from HMAS Brisbane toured the South West Regional Maintenance Centre (SWRMC) in San Diego, United States, as part

Air Force Chef Corporal Brent Devetak prepares meals for locals at Kununurra during Exercise Kummundoo 24. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Yuen Dieu.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Nourishing others, one meal at a time

25/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1261 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kummundoo, Indigenous

In the heart of the Kimberley, a proud Darkinjung man and dedicated Air Force chef stirs a large pot of

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft drops a bomb at the Townsville Field Training Area as part of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course live-fire serials during Exercise Black Dagger 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Black Dagger 24 right on target

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4461 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Dagger, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Townsville

Royal Australian Air Force personnel called in weapons strikes from air combat aircraft and artillery units during Exercise Black Dagger

Air Force General Surgeon Squadron Leader Peter Yuide from 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron discusses treatment options with Steve, a local patient in the Katherine Hospital. Story by Air Force General Surgeon Squadron Leader Peter Yuide from 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron discusses treatment options with Steve, a local patient in the Katherine Hospital. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Surgical exercise builds connections in the NT

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1215 Views 0 Comments Health Services Wing, No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron

Royal Australian Air Force medical personnel from Health Services Wing conducted a joint surgical exercise at Katherine Hospital this month.

Dr Miriem Santander Borrego is a chemical science specialist working with materials in the Extreme Environment Materials & Forensics laboratory at the DST Group Eagle Farm, Brisbane. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photo by Scott Sarstedt-McCarthy.

ADF People Science & Technology

Extreme science with meaning

25/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 926 Views 0 Comments DSTG

Extreme temperatures, futuristic testing chambers, advanced equipment, Bunsen burners and flammable materials are all in a day’s work for Miriem

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Watson appreciates a painting of the 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in Vietnam with Veteran Dan Penman, right, at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Photo by Private Andrew Shaw.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Important picture of courage and sacrifice

24/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1258 Views 1 Comment 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks, Vietnam War

Coinciding with its 50th anniversary, 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8/9RAR) has acquired the Bunker Assault painting, which marks