Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Johansen stands alongside his wife, Michelle, after being presented the Federation Star clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal for 40 years of service, at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. Story by Captain Nigel Jacobs. Photo by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Four decades of dedication to Army

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2446 Views 1 Comment Army Reserve, Federation Star, Gallipoli Barracks

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kim Johansen has trained and mentored young soldiers and officers, in Australia and overseas, for

Air Force Cricket's Anzac Day 2022 team line up before the match in Bowral. Story by Wing Commander Deanna Nott.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force Cricket a binding tradition

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1156 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport

Flight Sergeant Ian Smith has swung a bat for Air Force Cricket for nearly two decades, and this Anzac Day

Veteran Terry Conner, of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, at the Meritorious Unit Citation parade for the units' service in Somalia, held at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

1RAR recognised for Somalia operation

16/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1459 Views 3 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Solace, Somalia

Stepping on to the streets of Baidoa, Somalia, was like stepping into a different world for newly promoted Corporal Terry

HMAS Sydney departs Fleet Base East, Sydney to embark on the fleet's second regional presence deployment for 2025. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Helen Frank.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney’s three-month journey through the region

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1112 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield, Fleet Base East, FPDA, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

Army Corporal Bailey Cassidy refuels a CH-47F Chinook with some 3000lbs of blended sustainable aviation fuel at RAAF Base East Sale in southern Victoria. Story by Major Cameron Jamieson. Photo by Captain Bonnie Hunt.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Loading up on sustainable aviation fuel

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1088 Views 1 Comment CH-47F Chinook, RAAF East Sale, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

An Army CH-47F Chinook refuelled with about 3000lbs of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at RAAF Base East Sale in southern

Chaplains from six different nations of the South Pacific lay wreaths at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Faith in the face of modern conflict

15/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 742 Views 0 Comments Chaplains

Spiritual fitness can be a good defence against the chaos of war. CAPTION: Chaplains from six different nations of the South

From left, Royal Australian Mint coin designer Adam Ball, Army Head of Corps Brigadier Deane Limmer and Royal Australian Mint acting chief executive officer Emily Martin. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army News

Special coin signals a century of service

15/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1507 Views 1 Comment Royal Australian Corps of Signals, Royal Australian Mint

The Royal Australian Mint has paid tribute to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals’ centenary by unveiling a one-dollar coin

Defence Science and Technology Group scientist Dr Ben Sparkes, left, works with Australian-built quantum clocks at the University of Adelaide. He is now part of a research project to create and deliver a ground-to-satellite optical quantum link. Story by Emma Thompson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Videos

New quantum tech to enhance battlespace

15/04/202528/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1330 Views 0 Comments DSTG

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is leading a new cutting-edge quantum research project to enhance secure timing technologies

Australian Army News Videos

Run Army participants dig deep for Legacy

15/04/202516/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1158 Views 0 Comments Legacy, Run Army

This year’s Run Army in Brisbane was the biggest yet, despite torrential rain inundating south-east Queensland in the week leading

Wing Commander Phil Parsons, from the Collaborative Autonomous Systems Project Office, speaks with aviators and representatives from Boeing about the capabilities of the Boeing MQ-28 at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Videos

Budgie steers RAAF into new era of air power

28/03/202510/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2198 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

Celebrating 40 years of distinguished service, Wing Commander Philip Parsons, affectionately known as “Budgie”, is leading the charge into the

US Army personnel on the ramp of a RAAF C-27J Spartan overlook Kwajalein Atoll. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photos by Sherman Hogue.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Spartan supports fisheries patrol in Marshall Islands

28/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2033 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Rai Balang, Operation Solania

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and its crew have played a key role in the Pacific Islands Forum

Army soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, conduct an urban building clearance in the deployable austere shoot house during the Urban Operations User Course at Greenbank Training Area. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News

Taking urban ops to the next level

27/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1769 Views 1 Comment 8/9 RAR, Urban Operations Training Facility

Four infantrymen approach a doorway as the lead soldier edges around the threshold, rifle pointed towards the opening, his mate

Military Working Dog Handlers from RAAF Base Tindal, Corporal Jesse Beard (Left) with his dog Xon and Corporal Natasha Blackman with her dog Onix at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Dogs truly are a handler’s best friend

27/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1346 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Military Working Dogs, No. 17 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Military working dog, Onix, and handler are stealing the spotlight at their first Australian International Airshow with a crowd pleasing

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet lands at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Salute to 15 years of Super Hornet combat excellence

26/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1548 Views 1 Comment Australian International Airshow, F/A-18F Super Hornet

Fifteen years have flown by since the Royal Australian Air Force welcomed a game-changing addition to its air combat fleet—the

Warrant Office of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, Gary Walsh, Rodney Ticler, David Gardner, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell at the unveiling of the restored P-40E Kittyhawk. Story by Squadron Leader Richard Briedis. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scot.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF restores Ming the Merciless

26/03/202505/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1097 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Chief of Air Force, RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Bringing a World War II aircraft back to life is a labour of love – especially when that aircraft’s namesake

The Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy gather for a group photo with Australian Army soldiers after speaking to the media about the HIMARS at the Australian International Air Show 2025, Avalon Airport. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

Australian Army News

First Aussie HIMARS delivered

26/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1384 Views 0 Comments 10 Brigade 14 Regiment, Australian International Airshow, Edinburgh Defence Precinct, GMLRS, HIMARS, Minister for Defence, Minister for Defence Industry, RAA

Two of the Australian high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) launchers are on show at Avalon International Airshow. CAPTION: Minister

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney leaves on three-month regional deployment

25/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1655 Views 1 Comment HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

The RAAF's newest aircraft, the F-35A Lightning II, right, and F/A-18F Super Hornet fly in formation with a 100 Squadron CA-18 Mustang and a Supermarine Spitfire MK VIII at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircrafman Campbell Latch.

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Swan formation takes flight, featuring past and present

25/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 767 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, No. 100 Squadron

A CAC-18 Mustang and Supermarine Mk VIII Spitfire have flown in a formation with the next generation of air power

ADV Reliant delivers one of three boats to be given to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force during a port visit to Honiara, Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Lyndon Harvey. Photos by Lieutenant Commander Brenton-James Glover.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

ADF back to Solomons on survey mission

25/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1010 Views 0 Comments 12th Chief Engineer Works (12CEW), Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, Littoral Riverine Survey Squadron, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant deployed to Solomon Islands recently for vital survey work, reinforcing Australia’s longstanding commitment to the

A No.6 Squadron EA-18G Growler conducts a proof of arrest using the tactical aircraft arrestor system during the Australian International Air Show 2025, at Avalon Airport. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Cable-catching fast jets on normal runways

25/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1081 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow

A mobile safety harness to catch fast jets as they land on normal runways was demonstrated at this year’s Australian