Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Lance Corporal Emily Drummond at the 2023 Chief of Army Symposium in Perth. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

Blow waves to bullets

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1841 Views 3 Comments 11th/28th Battalion, Army Reserve, The Royal Western Australian Regiment

A normal infantry section commander’s knowledge of haircuts ends with what the Army Dress Manual allows. CAPTION: Lance Corporal Emily Drummond

The Governor of Western Australia, Chris Dawson, receives a Royal Salute from the HMAS Perth Guard during the Duke of Gloucester Cup award ceremony at Fleet Base West. Story by Lieutenant Mick Wheeler. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

History News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth wins Gloucester Cup

08/09/202309/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2519 Views 0 Comments Gloucester Cup, HMAS Perth, HMAS Stirling

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth has been presented with Navy’s most prestigious award, the Gloucester Cup, by West Australian Governor Chris Dawson.

Quadrupedal uncrewed vehicles, colloquially known as ‘robot dogs’, fitted with mock weapons on display at the Army Robotics Expo as part of the Chief of Army Symposium 2023 in Perth. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Soldiers team with innovators, thinkers and partners

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1268 Views 0 Comments Chief of Army

Defence personnel, academics, industry representatives and international partners were among more than 1500 people who converged on the Perth Convention

An F-35A Lightning II from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron during sunset at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Historic Australian first for Japan’s F-35As

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2801 Views 1 Comment Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A warm Northern Territory welcome greeted the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on the first international deployment of its F-35A

Major Harry Smith in Saigon, Vietnam, August 1966. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photos courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Veterans

A true hero of Vietnam War farewelled

08/09/202308/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3653 Views 9 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, AWM, Harry Smith, Long Tan, Star of Gallantry, Vietnam

The man whose company held back a reinforced North Vietnamese regiment at Long Tan, before fighting for his soldiers to

A ground combat element made up of ADF personnel, US Marines and Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers on completion of a combined amphibious assault exercise during Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhasset.

Australian Army News Overseas

The kings of close contact

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2477 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, M1A1 Abrams

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and Armed Forces of the Philippines amphibious assault vehicles worked alongside each other during

The HMAS Canberra medical team and Philippine Navy participants of the Maritime Resuscitation Casualty Care Training on board HMAS Canberra during Exercise Alon 2023. Photo by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Building a warfighting medical capability

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1647 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra

Armed Forces of the Philippines medical team members have been awarded certificates for completing the bespoke Maritime Resuscitation Casualty Care

An Australian Army soldier completes the obstacle course during the 2023 Duke of Gloucester Cup in Singleton. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News

‘Superhuman’ soldiers vie for coveted DoG Cup

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2941 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Duke of Gloucester Cup

After seven days of tough competition, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, proved they are second to none after

RAAF Wing Commander Sean Hamilton and Royal Thai Air Force Group Captain Sithipol Pomtri pass gifts to students during Exercise Thai Boomerang. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF aviators a big hit at Thai school

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1760 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aviators swapped the flightline for the school oval while deployed

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

F-35s’ big role in Philippines exercise

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2407 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, C-130J Hercules, E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Alon, F-35A Lightning II, Philippines, US Marines

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a critical force enabler during Exercise Alon, with the E-7A Wedgetail and F-35A

Students of the first Army Reserve catering operator course held at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. From left, Privates Harmeet Singh, Samara Fourmile, Shanane Doughboy, Nazareth Gamia and Lance Corporal James Noonan. Story by Richard Wilkins. Photos by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

Australian Army News

First Army Reserve catering course run at Cerberus

05/09/202306/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2039 Views 1 Comment ADF School of Catering, Army Reserve, HMAS Cerberus, Indigenous, Regional Force Surveillance Group

For the first time, the Army Reserve Catering Operator Course has been conducted by the ADF School of Catering (ADFSC)

From left, RAN Able Seaman Marc Moyo, Philippine Marine Corps Master Sergeant Vincente Carubanga Jr, Australian Army Private Melanio Sager, RAN Medical Officer Lieutenant Phil Salinas and Philippine Navy Apprentice Seaman Cedrick Marcelo on HMAS Canberra near Manila, Philippines, during Exercise Alon. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People

Reconnecting with family in the Philippines

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1410 Views 0 Comments Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, Philippines

Australians with Filipino heritage on board HMAS Canberra were excited to step off in Manila to reconnect with family. CAPTION: From

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment hits the shore during a combined amphibious assault activity on Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Squadron Leader Courtney Jay. Photos by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Tanks for combined-arms exercise in Philippines

05/09/202306/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3507 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, Philippines, US Marines

For the first time, the ADF and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the support of the United States

From left, Acting Sub-Lieutenant Chloe Wise, Acting Sub-Lieutenant Kathryn Boyd and Sub-Lieutenant Phoebe Curtis on the flightline at 723 Squadron, HMAS Albatross. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Marina Riley. Photo by Petty Officer Justin Brown.

ADF People

Women surge to the skies

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1721 Views 0 Comments No. 723 Squadron, Women in Aviation Program

Navy is sailing into a new era, with a record-breaking number of women taking to the skies. CAPTION: From left, Acting

Chief Petty Officer Michelle Keygan is studying with the ADFA Postgraduate Scheme while maintaining her training and development role at the Navy Recruit School, HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. Story by Lieutenant Rebecca Williamson. Photo by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

ADF People

Defence masters degree opens doors

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1092 Views 0 Comments ADFA, HMAS Cerberus, UNSW

Gaining lifelong skill sets and an impressive qualification she didn’t even realise was available to her, Chief Petty Officer Michelle

Outgoing Commander Air Commodore David Paddison, left, and incoming Commander Air Commodore Robert Graham during the Combat Support Group change-of-command ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People

Handing over the reins

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1299 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), RAAF Amberley

Aviators from more than 50 Air Force trades marched onto the tarmac at RAAF Base Amberley late last month to

Lenny Redrose has been named Team Australia’s flag-bearer for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 opening ceremony. Story by Belinda Barker. Photo by Flight Sergeant Ricky Fuller.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Invictus Games flag-bearer ‘over the moon’

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1180 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, Governor-General, Invictus Games

Lenny Redrose has been announced as Team Australia’s flag-bearer for Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023. CAPTION: Lenny Redrose has been named Team

Joint Task Force - Space Defence Commercial Operations cell's first accredited operator, Major Thomas Bittner, at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

ADF People

Following the sun for space domain awareness

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1222 Views 0 Comments Defence Space Command, No.1 Space Surveillance Unit (1SSU)

Defence Space Command commenced its support to the global Joint Task Force – Space Defence Commercial Operations (JCO) network on

A RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from 1 Squadron taxiing after a sortie during Exercise Thai Boomerang 23 at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF’s successful fighter-jet exercise in Thailand

01/09/202305/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2471 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force, Thailand

RAAF personnel and aircraft have left Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, having completed a successful fighter jet exercise

Invictus Games Team Australia competitor Xavier Green at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen NSW. Story by Belinda Barker. Photos by Flight Sergeant Ricky Fuller.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Camaraderie calls

01/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1090 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, Invictus Games

For father of two and former Australian Army Bushmaster crew commander Xavier Green, it will be a matter of switching