Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force personnel combine for the Anzac Cove dawn service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Australia and New Zealand join forces at Gallipoli

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 749 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Governor-General of Australia, Lone Pine, NZDF, Turkey

ADF and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel supported three parades in the Anzac Day 2025 commemorations at Gallipoli. CAPTION: Australian

Able Seaman Francis Piccin, of the Royal Australian Navy Band, Sydney, at Amiens Cathedral in France. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

One song unites two worlds

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 675 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, France, Royal Australian Navy Band

As the last notes echoed through Amiens Cathedral in France, Musician Able Seaman Francis Piccin stood with quiet pride, his

Sailors from HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company march down York Street in Albany, Western Australia, on Anzac Day. Story by Petty Officer Keigan Gunther. Photos by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Navy honours Anzacs’ last port of call

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 849 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Toowoomba, ww1

HMAS Toowoomba visited Albany to mark the 110th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli, honouring the port of departure

Australian Army sappers from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment join in a Counter-Improvised Explosive Device course during the Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines program in Tarlac City, Philippines. Story by Captain Annie Richardson.

Asia Australian Army News

Sappers get a blast out of shared training

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 732 Views 0 Comments 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), 6th Engineer Support Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, EOD, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), mobile training team (MTT)

Under the beating sun in Tarlac City in the Philippines, Australian explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists recently exchanged experience and

Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston delivers the 2025 Anzac Day message at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

A time to reflect on service and support

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 401 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, AWM, Chief of Defence Force

A message from the Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston CAPTION: Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston

A Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and United States Navy P-8A Poseidon’s on the flight line at United States Air Force Kadena Air Base, Japan, during Operation Argos 25-1. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Poseidon on North Korean-sanctions patrol

29/04/202504/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1123 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, Operation Argos, P-8A Poseidon, united Nations Security Council, US Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol crew deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Operation Argos

Gunner Ryan Fabri, of 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, takes part in Exercise Chimera Walk at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Story and photos by Captain Tadek Markowski.

Australian Army News

Drone warfare skills front and centre

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 505 Views 0 Comments 20th Regiment, Exercise Chimera Walk, Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

For a fuller picture of his immediate surroundings, Lieutenant Timothy Ollis, of 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, walks in a

The Royal Australian Navy's Captain Jorge McKee addresses a change-of-command ceremony. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photos by Spc. Christ-Claude Mowandza-Ndinga.

Middle East News Royal Australian Navy

Australia hands Red Sea command to Egypt

24/04/202526/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1380 Views 0 Comments Combined Maritime Forces, Egypt

Australia handed over command of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) task force responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea

Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse is deployed on Operation Accordion at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Dawn service ashore a first for sailor

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 839 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region

Deployed on Anzac Day in the Middle East region, Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse will honour his grandfather’s resilience as a

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison at his computer while deployed on Operation Accordion at Headquarters Middle East in 2025. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Thoughts of home while serving overseas

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 651 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

This Anzac Day, project engineer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison will reflect on those who served before him and the role

Royal Australian Air Force musician Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones will sing the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day. Story by Warrant Officer Ben van den Akker. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Singing for her Anzac ancestors

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 855 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, ANZAC Day, Chief of Defence Force, Vietnam

Members of Air Force Band have travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to perform at Anzac Day services hosted by the Australian

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hamish Smith at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Solemn duty to remember and connect

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 781 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian War Memorial, Last Post

Corporal Hamish Smith never imagined he would one day stand at the pinnacle of solemn remembrance on such an important

Private Luke Morrison, of Australia's Federation Guard, will join the catafalque party at Gallipoli. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Service in homage to great-grandfather’s memory

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 502 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

Days before departing for Gallipoli to take part in Anzac Day commemorations, Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) member Private Luke Morrison

Leading Seaman Benjamin Woodlock, of Australia's Federation Guard, at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025, when he will command the catafalque party at the Gallipoli dawn service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honoured and humbled to serve

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 439 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

‘Woody’, to his mates is a Larrikin, but on April 25 he will be stepping into a very important role,

Families prepare to welcome HMAS Hobart back to Fleet Base East in Sydney after three months on deployment. Photo by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy

Hobart home after busy three-month deployment

23/04/202526/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1614 Views 1 Comment Fleet Base East, HMAS Hobart

HMAS Hobart has returned to its home port of Sydney following a busy three-month deployment. CAPTION: Families prepare to welcome HMAS Hobart back

Leading Seaman Christine Merrilees with her son, Leading Seaman Shannon Leak, and her father, Chief Petty Officer Stewart Merrilees. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People History

Three generations share Navy heritage

23/04/202523/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 235 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

As HMAS Sydney sails through the Indo-Pacific region this Anzac Day, one sailor on board has a deeply personal connection

Air Force's Corporal Kevin Jeffries, of Australia's Federation Guard, reflects at the statue of Simpson and his Donkey at the Australian War Memorial before heading to Lone Pine for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Proud moment to lead at Lone Pine

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 255 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

This Anzac Day, Corporal Kevin Jeffries will be standing proud at Lone Pine in Turkiye as the Commander of Australia’s

Army soldier Sergeant Jonathan Apps, of Australia's Federation Guard, with his daughters and a picture of his great-grandfather at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, during preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story. y Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring commitment and sacrifice in France

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 264 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

As Anzac Day approaches, Army Sergeant Jonathan Apps is preparing for one of the most meaningful duties of his career

Able Seaman Rachel Brandt, of Australia's Federation Guard, places a poppy to mark her respects at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Continuing a family legacy of service

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 238 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

On Anzac Day this year, Able Seaman Rachel Brandt will have the perfect opportunity to pay respects to her great-great-uncle

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1444 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events