Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Army Corporal Nathan Jones, part of the Joint Explosives Ordnance Support explosive ordnance disposal team, places a charge during Exercise Nepean Harvest 23 at Marrangaroo Military Training Area. Story by Captain Thomas Kaye. Photo by Sergeant Brodie Cross.

Ammunition technicians get a blast out of training

11/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2003 Views 0 Comments 17th Sustainment Brigade

Ammunition technicians put theory into practice when they dealt with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device on a recent exercise. CAPTION: Army

Defence Indigenous Elders speak during a panel for NAIDOC Week. From left, Air Force Warrant Officer Donald Taylor, Aunty Frances Visini, Aunty Lorraine Hatton, Uncle Phillip Bowie and John Love. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Elders take centre stage

11/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1229 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, NAIDOC Week, Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP)

Defence Indigenous Service Elders shared their experiences with hundreds of Defence personnel during a panel discussion for NAIDOC Week in

HMAS Anzac conducts a replenishment at sea with USNS Rappahannock during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan. All photos by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Anzac joins USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group

07/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2361 Views 0 Comments HMAS Anzac, united States Navy, USS Ronald Reagan

HMAS Anzac took on the challenging role of integrating into the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group during a regional

Australian Army riflemen from Battle Group Heeler deliver ammunition in a simulated urban assault during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Townsville Field Training Area. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News Videos

Souther Jackaroo tests forces ahead of Talisman Sabre

07/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2137 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), MRF-D, Townsville Field Training Area, USMC

As dawn broke across the Townsville Field Training Area, marines from the US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) heard

Aviators from 2 Security Forces Squadron (2SECFOR) dismount from a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle during Exercise Nomad Walk at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. All photos by Corporal Kieren Whitely.

News Royal Australian Air Force

A sharp eye looks to Talisman Sabre

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1969 Views 0 Comments Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, Exercise Nomad Walk, Exercise Talisman Sabre, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, R70 SkyRanger UAS, RAAF Amberley

Preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre was underway at RAAF Base Amberley, with 2 Security Forces Squadron (2SECFOR) conducting training to

An Air Force C-130J Hercules conducts low level training and flare drops over RAAF Base Richmond and the wider Hawkesbury area. Story by Taster Murdoch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Honouring the Herc’s long service

07/07/202316/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3154 Views 0 Comments C-130 Hercules, No. 36 Squadron, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

This year, the Royal Australian Air Force celebrates 65 years of operating an Air Mobility Group workhorse – the C-130

Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Roxanne Phillip giving a practical lesson on the 10,000lb cargo net at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva, Fiji. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius. Photo by Flight Sergeant Anne Strode.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF team delivers critical training in Fiji

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1584 Views 0 Comments Coral Warrior, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Royal Australian Air Force School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT)

In a demonstration of dedication and flexibility, a team of instructors from the Royal Australian Air Force School of Administration

Corporal Peter Wallace at Reconciliation Place in Canberra. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History

Proud of his lineage

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1042 Views 0 Comments NAIDOC Week, NORFORCE

Heritage wasn’t openly spoken about in Corporal Peter Wallace’s household due to the death of his Aboriginal mother, Carolyn Wallace.

Army sappers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and medics from the 1st Health Battalion practise critical first aid skills on the robotic training dog, Diesel during Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care training. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Signaller Kobi Rankin.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Critical care training for soldiers’ best friends

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1197 Views 0 Comments 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, 1st Health Battalion, Army Explosive Detection Dogs, School of Military Engineering

Explosive detection dog handlers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and medics from the 1st Health Battalion conducted a training

Performers from Wulgurukaba Traditional Custodian Group participate in a smoking ceremony to celebrate the opening of the yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People History

A space to yarn on Gurrumbilbarra country

07/07/202307/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1088 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, NAIDOC Week, RAAF Townsville

Members of the Wulgurukaba people on Gurrumbilbarra country have officially opened a yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville with a

A soldier from 9th Force Support Battalion fires an M4 during a live-fire exercise at the Greenbank Training Area, Queensland. Story by Captain Thomas Kaye. All photos by Captain Annie Richardson.

Australian Army News

Developing skills for international exercise

07/07/202309/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1654 Views 0 Comments 17th Sustainment Brigade, 9th Force Support Battalion, Exercise Surus Walk, Exercise Talisman Sabre

It’s not just the combat units that need to prepare for Exercise Talisman Sabre. CAPTION: A soldier from 9th Force Support

RAAF aviation refueller, Leading Aircraftman Stephen Gannon (L) instructs US Marine Corps refuellers on the operation of Australian refuelling trucks at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Refuelling international partnerships

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1260 Views 0 Comments No. 13 Squadron, No. 17 Squadron, No. 26 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, USMC

Driver training officers from 96 Wing have welcomed United States Marine Corps (USMC) refuellers to RAAF Base Williamtown with essential

Personnel from HMAS Watson participate in Lifeline’s Push-Up Challenge. Story by Midshipman Alice Rogers. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

84,630 push-ups in the name of mental health

07/07/202308/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1034 Views 0 Comments HMAS Watson, Lifeline, Push-Up Challenge

Sailors and officers at HMAS Watson, and their friends, completed a staggering 84,630 push-ups in the name of mental health awareness.

2 Flying Training School trainee Pilot Officer Gabrielle Adamson takes Air Force Indigenous Youth Program participant Indiana Baines through the paces of a Pilatus PC-21 simulated flight at RAAF Base Pearce, WA. Story by Stephanie Hallen. All photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Students step into the shoes of aviators

07/07/202308/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1580 Views 0 Comments 2FTS, Indigenous Youth Program, PC-21, RAAF Pearce

Perth students were recently given the unique opportunity to experience a typical day in the life of a Royal Australian

Vanessa Trundle has broken the mould to become the only Indigenous woman to become Base Manager for Royal Australian Air Force Bases Pearce, Learmonth, Curtin, the Harold E Holt Defence Precinct and Cocos Islands. Story by Peta Magorian. Photo by Private Reece Oakes.

ADF People

If you can dream it you can be it

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 834 Views 0 Comments Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Harold E. Holt Defence Precinct, NAIDOC Week, RAAF Learmonth, RAAF Pearce

A child of the stolen generation, Vanessa Trundle has always been determined to follow her grandmother’s advice – to free

Rhan Hooper chats with Indigenous Liaison Officer Flight Lieutenant Sarah Woods during his visit to the Yarning circle at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Taylor Anderson.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Defence links to indigenous artefact

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1255 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, NAIDOC Week, RAAF Amberley

A suspected World War 2-era nulla nulla, gifted to former Brisbane Lions AFL player Rhan Hooper, was the catalyst for

Leading Aircraftswoman Jill Magno abseils down the side of the Campbell Park Offices in Canberra. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Overcoming fears out of the comfort zone

07/07/202307/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1047 Views 0 Comments Adventurous Training

Even though it had been over 10 years since the last time he abseiled, Leading Aircraftman Michael Portanger wasn’t worried.

Army signallers from 144 Signal Squadron participate in high-frequency radio activity Exercise Pacific Horizon at Warradale Barracks, SA. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Sergeant Peng Zhang.

Australian Army News

Signals competition on Pacific exercise

07/07/202308/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1409 Views 0 Comments 144th Signal Squadron, Exercise Pacific Horizon

Army signallers across Australia engaged in friendly competition while testing their high-frequency (HF) proficiency during international Exercise Pacific Horizon. CAPTION:

Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Health Battalion board the Toll Bell 412 helicopter after watching a demonstration of Army Aviation's Aircraft Crash Response capability at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Sovereign industry

Young medic shares crash response skills

04/07/202304/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1614 Views 0 Comments Oakey

When she heard about a posting to Oakey Health Centre, Private Jade Bown jumped at the chance to join a

17 Squadron firefighters assisted NTFRS where a freight train collided with a truck at a railway crossing in the town of Katherine, NT. Photo: Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Tindal firies help at train crash

04/07/202306/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1948 Views 0 Comments No. 17 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Firefighters from 17 Squadron in RAAF Base Tindal assisted the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) in responding to