Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Commanding Officer HMAS Rankin Commander Simon O’Hehir holds the Gloucester Cup, accompanied by Commander of the Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Chris Smith and Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Ragless. Photo by Petty Officer Luke Scott.

HMAS Rankin awarded Gloucester Cup

12/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1369 Views 0 Comments Gloucester Cup, HMAS Rankin

HMAS Rankin has been awarded the prestigious Duke of Gloucester Cup in recognition of the highest level of proficiency of

Historic imagery of the arrival of HMAS Sydney III to Jervis Bay with embarked aircraft which formed the Fleet Air Arm’s first squadrons.

History News Royal Australian Navy

75th anniversary of air power projection

07/06/202415/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1348 Views 0 Comments Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Albatross, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney, Jervis Bay

The Royal Australian Navy recently marked the 75th anniversary of rising above the waves and developing a fully integrated aerial

Current and former crew members of HMAS Huon gather for the ship's decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Waterhen, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Madelyn Hanna. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

History News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Huon sails into history

07/06/202407/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2069 Views 0 Comments decommissioning, Gloucester Cup, HMAS Huon, HMAS Waterhen

After a quarter-century of distinguished service, HMAS Huon has been decommissioned in a poignant ceremony at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney. CAPTION: Current

An Australian Army soldier fires an M3 Carl Gustav during the culminating activity on Exercise Rhino Run at Cultana Training Area, South Australia. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Sergeant Peng Zhang.

Australian Army News

Exercise culminates in explosion of firepower

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1709 Views 0 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, 7th Battalion RAR, 9th Brigade, Cultana, Exercise Rhino Run, US Marines

Exercise Rhino Run culminated in a 24-hour crescendo of combat power by 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), 1st

Sapper Ian Moss and his explosive detection dog Flo Joe, carefully make their way across a field in search of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2012. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Sergeant Raymond Vance.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Videos

Remembering a four-legged warrior

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2093 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs

June 7 is National Military Working Dog Day, when Defence honours the loyalty and commitment of four-legged friends who’ve served

Major Alan Bretherton in the UK. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People Australian Army

Major on a mission with purpose

07/06/202407/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1390 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Operation Kudu, United Kingdom

A former Royal Australian Air Force Cadet is heading up an expanded ADF contingent training Ukrainian personnel in the UK

Apprentice technicians from the Technical Training Faculty are given a tour of technical infrastructure aboard HMAS Canberra as part of the new Navy apprentice technician experience tour. Photos by Peter Loncar.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy Videos

Navy apprentices gain valuable insight

07/06/202407/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1996 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Cerberus

Fourteen apprentice electronics and marine technicians recently embarked on a tour of Fleet Base East and naval establishments in Sydney.

Major Stephen Ware, right, is presented with two Federation Stars by Major General Gregory Novak at Gallipoli barracks, Brisbane. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Alfred Stauder.

ADF People Australian Army

A career full of opportunities

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1623 Views 0 Comments

Major Stephen Ware was awarded two Federation Stars in April after nearly 50 years of service, which he said ostensibly

Explosive ordnance disposal specialists from Australia and the US conduct x-ray procedures to determine the safety state of explosive remnants of war during Operation Render Safe in Nauru. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

Australian Army News Overseas

Committed to improving safety

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1733 Views 0 Comments 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), 6th Engineer Support Regiment, Nauru Police Force (NPF), Operation Render Safe, UXO

A multinational team of explosive ordnance specialists disposed of 18 remnants of World War 2 during Operation Render Safe in

Marine Technician Leading Seaman Billy O’Grady with equipped toolboxes on board HMAS Adelaide. Photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Navy

The right tools for Navy’s biggest ships

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1091 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide

Proactive sailors have improved the way landing craft is maintained on board HMAS Adelaide, resulting in time and cost savings. CAPTION: Marine

Private Chen Shi raises a communications mast off the ground during Exercise Arras Sprint. Photos by Private Peter Mosley.

Australian Army News

Soldiers tested to seize enemy base

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1604 Views 0 Comments 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment, 4th/3rd Battalion RNSW Regiment, 5th Brigade, 5th Combat Service Support Battalion, Army Reserve, Exercise Arras Sprint

Soldiers from 5th Brigade deployed to the Bathurst region of NSW in early May to demonstrate critical operational capabilities. CAPTION: Private

Personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force, Pacific Air Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines assess casualties at the site of a simulated aeromedical evacuation during Exercise Balikatan, Philippines. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Balikatan turns up the heat

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1986 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Balikatan

An extreme heatwave added to the challenge for members of the ADF deployed to the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan 2024

Air Force airbase engineer Flight Lieutenant Eamonn Matthews is deployed on Operation Accordion to Headquarters Middle East. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Airfield engineer hits the ground running

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1449 Views 0 Comments Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

The world was stunned by images of jumbo jets sloshing down a flooded runway at Dubai airport after freak storms

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tank fires its 120mm cannon during a live-fire serial for the Coral-Balmoral Cup at Puckapunyal Military Area. Story by Captain Thomas Kaye. Photos by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Australian Army News

Armoured crews clash for cup

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1612 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), Coral and Balmoral Cup, Puckapunyal, School of Armour, US Marines

Cavalry and tank teams from across the Australian Army, and personnel from the United States Marine Corps, went head to

ADF candidates march with heavy loads during the 2024 Special Forces Common Selection Course. Story and photos by Major Roger Brennan.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Combined special forces selection course a first

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3125 Views 0 Comments Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Special Operations Command (SOCOMD)

For the first time, Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) has run a combined selection course, allowing ADF personnel to apply for

Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon, with his fiancé Kate Barry and their three children, Jonty, Leila and Tillie, enjoying a family holiday. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Navy Videos

‘Family is everything’ – National Families Week

17/05/202417/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2296 Views 0 Comments Cowork Coplay, HMAS Perth, National Families Week

Living in Rockhampton, WA, with three children under six and a fiancé at sea, Kate Barry faces many daily challenges.

Army Chaplain James Hall, of 6th Battalion, the Royal Australia Regiment, in the unit's social gaming hub at Gallipoli Barracks, with equipment donated by Veteran Gaming Australia. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Gaming a useful tool for social connection

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1246 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Chaplains, Veteran Gaming Australia, Virtual Reality (VR)

After being posted to Darwin, away from his family, Chaplain James Hall would play Xbox games online with his sons

Mothers of HMAS Hobart, from left, Petty Officer Amy Peters, Commander Tina Brown and Leading Seaman Rochelle Hambly on the forecastle as the ship conducts a regional presence deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy Videos

HMAS Hobart mothers celebrate away from home

17/05/202417/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2206 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, Regional Presence Deployment

Operational time at sea can be tough, not only for those serving in Navy but for the families and loved

RAAF 36 Squadron personnel walk from a C-17 Globemaster towards Hurley’s Hangar after arriving at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East region. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Aussies deploy on Operation Hydranth

17/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1811 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Middle East Region, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Accordion, Operation Beech, Operation Hydranth, Operation Kudu

As Houthi rebels sank and raided vessels in the Red Sea, the Australian Government announced ADF personnel would deploy under

Flight Lieutenant Max, left, and Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, a trainee from 2 Flight Training School, before an incentive flight in an EA-18G Growler at RAAF base Pearce during Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Story by Flying Officer Michael Thomas. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Motivation for a fast-jet career

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1245 Views 0 Comments 2FTS, EA-18G Growler, No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

Winning a game of ‘scissors, paper, rock’ usually doesn’t mean much, but for student pilot Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, his