Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

The stores dropped by the RAAF C-27J Spartan are craned onto HMAS Warramunga's deck during Exercise Kakadu 24. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies. Photo by Midshipman Joshua Breedon.

MAD delivery for Warramunga on Ex Kakadu

25/09/202428/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2150 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Dechaineux, HMAS Warramunga, MH-60R Seahawk

It was an unusual day for HMAS Warramunga, sailing around northern Australia as part of Exercise Kakadu. CAPTION: The stores dropped by

The graduating class of the Combat Systems Operators - Mine Warfare initial employment training course gathers together at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Royal Australian Navy

Technical mastery training for graduates

20/09/202420/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1308 Views 0 Comments Basic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Basic Combat Systems Operators – Mine Warfare (CSO-MW), HMAS Waterhen

In a first for the Navy warfare community, recent graduates of the Basic Combat Systems Operators – Mine Warfare (CSO-MW)

Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces aboard a RAAF C-17 Globemaster for the final leg of their journey home from the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq. Story and photos Corporal Michael Rogers.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Giving our Pacific neighbours a lift home

20/09/202421/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1578 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Middle East Region, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, UN Peacekeeping

As a C-17 Globemaster began its final approach into Fiji, the harmonious singing that rose above the jet-engines’ roar signalled

Then Flying Officer Harvey Reynolds, second from left, during his INTERFET deployment with 2 Airfield Defence Squadron on a routine patrol of Atauro Island, East Timor. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Overseas

Aviators remember ‘significant moment’ in peacekeeping

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1530 Views 0 Comments Timor-Leste, UN Peacekeeping

In September of 1999, the world’s attention was firmly fixed on East Timor as it sought to restore its independence.

Lieutenant Jack Stanhope, left, and Sub-Lieutenant Liam Lord, of HMAS Brisbane, rendered assistance to a civilian after a car accident in the US.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy USA

Aussie Navy officers save a life in California

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1382 Views 0 Comments HMAS Brisbane, US Navy

Quick thinking and swift action by Royal Australian Navy officers has helped save the life of a driver following a

Navy ships conduct a multilateral cooperative activity during Exercise Kakadu off the coast of Darwin, NT. Photos by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

News Royal Australian Navy

Task groups form up for sea phase

20/09/202421/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1296 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Dechaineux, HMAS Warramunga

HMAS Warramunga joined the exodus as 10 ships, a submarine and five aircraft formed into two task groups to undertake

Army soldier Corporal Shannon Griffith at the Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School at Oakey, Queensland. Story. y By Captain Tadek Markowski. Photo by Bradley Richardson.

ADF People Australian Army Sovereign industry

Experienced civvies a boost for Army aviation

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 800 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Lockhead Martin, Oakey, RAEME, UH-60M Black Hawk

In the close-knit world of Army Aviation, 35-year-old Corporal Shannon Griffith is something of an outlier. CAPTION: Army soldier Corporal Shannon

Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, left, awards Leading Aircraftman Samuel Conroy with a gold commendation at 1 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People

Gold commendation for aviator’s courageous deed

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 760 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Amberley, RAAF Williamtown

On a Sunday night in September last year, 1 Security Forces Squadron member Leading Aircraftman Samuel Conroy found himself the

A United States Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber takes off at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Spirit of cooperation

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1387 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, US Air Force

A United States Air Force (USAF) Bomber Task Force mission, involving its B-2 Spirit stealth bombers operating out of RAAF

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1125 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

Photos of Lieutenant McWilliam, foreground right, and Captain McWilliam, foreground left; his diary, back left, and his midshipman’s journal, back right. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Extraordinary tale behind extraordinary documents

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1084 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

The story of coincidence, persistence and happenstance – a set of historic documents uncovered at the Australian High Commission in

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1166 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

The Roulettes break away during their display at the Mildura Airshow. Story and phots by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air show has eyes glued to the sky

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1170 Views 0 Comments Mildura, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, Roulettes

Eyes were glued to the sky as aviators from the Royal Australian Air Force flew multiple generations of aircraft into

Cargo is unloaded from a RAAF C-130J Hercules at Adisutjipto Air Force Base in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as part of Exercise Rajawali AusIndo. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Hercs help strengthen relationships on exercise

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1195 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, Exercise Rajawali Ausindo, Indonesia, Indonesian Air Force, No. 37 Squadron

Australia and Indonesia are adding a new chapter to their long history of cooperation through Exercise Rajawali AusIndo 24 at

Army officer Captain Rachael Kloprogge greets Legacy widow and former signaller Shirley Ross during a Legacy Brisbane Backyard Assist at Mrs Ross’ home in Chapel Hill, Brisbane. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Volunteers join backyard blitz for Legacy widow

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1186 Views 0 Comments 6th Brigade, Legacy

Legacy widow Shirley Ross was overwhelmed by the support she received during a Legacy Brisbane Backyard Assist at her Chapel

Leading Aircraftman Blake O'Brien stands in front of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber on the RAAF Base Amberley flight line. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by US Air Force

News Royal Australian Air Force

Memorable moment in aviation career

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 881 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Townsville, US Air Force

A promotion is always a significant and unforgettable milestone in any aviator’s career. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftman Blake O’Brien stands in front

Australian Army soldiers trial an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance robot to observe and protect Australian borders in the Pilbara region. Story by Emma Kennedy.

Australian Army News Science & Technology Sovereign industry Videos

Robot tested on border-patrol surveillance

17/09/202425/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2665 Views 0 Comments

Tasked to monitor about one-sixth of Australia’s landmass, Regional Force Surveillance Group’s (RFSG) Pilbara Regiment is now using a small

Army personnel attend church with local children during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army News

Chaplain puts faith in spreading the safety message

17/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1037 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

Locals in Munda and Noro in the western province of Solomon Islands have welcomed a joint force of more than

Navy officer Captain Dave Tietzel, the Exercise Director for Exercise Kakadu 2024, addresses the media during a media doorstop at HMAS Coonawarra, NT. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Navy

Exercise Kakadu sets sail with global participation

13/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1732 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Coonawarra

The Royal Australian Navy’s flagship maritime exercise has commenced in Darwin drawing nearly 3000 personnel from 30 nations. CAPTION: Navy officer

Group Captain Gary Sadler, Warrant Officer Jason Pyke, Group Captain Kylie Green, Warrant Officer Korey McGregor and Wing Commander Fiona Pearce following the 17 Squadron handover/takeover ceremony. Story by Scott Jenner.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Combat Support Group undertakes major reorg

13/09/202424/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1914 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), Defence Strategic Review, National Defence Strategy (NDS), No. 95 Wing, No. 96 Wing

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Combat Support Group is undertaking a major reorganisation of 95 and 96 Wings to enable