Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

HMAS Canberra guides USS Canberra through Sydney Heads. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

Two ships called Canberra bond in Sydney

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2293 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), US Navy, WWII

USS Canberra personnel welcomed the company of their sister ship, HMAS Canberra, on board for a tour while the ship

Sri Lanka Navy divers and Royal Australian Navy clearance divers underwater during an exerciseas part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. All photos by Lieutenant Joe Woods.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

An underwater cultural exchange

20/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1670 Views 0 Comments Clearance Diving Team 4, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Sri Lankan Defence Force

Defence personnel stopped by Sri Lanka and participated in military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events and cultural activities as part

Air Commodore Steve Pesce and Steve Green sign a three-year contract to provide services as Air Domain's Aerospace Propulsion Centre of Expertise. Story by Group Captain David Mahoney. Photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Aussie expertise a boost for aircraft engine fleet

20/07/202327/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2093 Views 0 Comments Aerospace Propulsions Centre of Expertise (APCoE), Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

An Australian-owned company will be working with the ADF to provide expert advice on effectively and efficiently managing military aircraft

Squadron Leader Daniel Olsen with the plane he built, at Canberra Aero Club. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People

Build it and dreams will come

20/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1029 Views 0 Comments

After eight years of labour, an Air Force traffic controller went from managing air traffic to flying a plane he

A Mobile ADF Careers Centre has been launched aimed at reaching rural and regional Australia. Story by Major Tim Sydenham.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

New look for Defence recruiting

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3292 Views 9 Comments ADF Careers, Defence Force Recruiting, Defence Strategic Review

In a move to address significant workforce challenges reinforced by the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), Defence Force Recruiting is implementing

Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Major General Hiroaki Sakanashi, right, with Wing Commander Neil Bowen at 33 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF/Japan make giant leap in air-to-air refuelling

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1422 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Defence cooperation between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the RAAF took a significant leap forward last month. CAPTION: Japan

Major General Douglas Laidlaw cuts the cake with Cadet Zhyler Cawit during the 230 Army Cadet Unit 25th anniversary celebration. Story by Stacey Doyle. Photo by Shane Brandon.

ADF People

Cadets take the quarter-century cake

20/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1363 Views 0 Comments Army Cadets, Keith Payne VC

Norfolk Island has been home since 1998 to 230 Army Cadet Unit (ACU), which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. CAPTION: Major

HMAS Sydney V ship's company stand at attention as the Catafalque Party mount the cenotaph, during a commemoration to honour the loss of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran. Story by Midshipman Lewis Taulier and Midshipman James Turnour. All photos by Petty Officer Aaron Clancy.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney journeys to remember namesake’s sacrifice

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1997 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Sydney, HMAS Sydney II

After completing fleet training in the Western Australian Exercise Area, HMAS Sydney V transited north up the west coast of Australia

CEO and Founder of StriveStronger Andrew May speaking at 'The Integrated Mindset - A Social Mastery Journey' at Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Story by Mikaela Farrugia. Photo by Kym Smith.

ADF News

Social-mastery masterclass at ADFA challenged self-development

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1985 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Force Academy

Defence personnel gained skills and tools to perform at their peak, personally and professionally, during a social mastery masterclass at the

Gunners from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire M777 howitzers in support of infantry during Exercise Sea Raider. Photo by Lieutenant Stephen Hunter.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Amphibious force ready for more

19/07/202330/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2303 Views 2 Comments 4th Regiment, Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), Exercise Sea Explorer, Exercise Sea Raider, HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Choules, M777 Howitzer

The Australian Amphibious Force (AAF) is one step closer to certification after completing Exercises Sea Explorer and Sea Raider. CAPTION: Gunners

An Australian Army soldier from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment, assists in filling Hesco barriers for protective works during Operation Render Safe, Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli . Photo by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

Australian Army News Pacific Videos

Aussie EOD techs deal with UXO in Nauru

19/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2001 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, EOD, Operation Render Safe, UXO, WWII

A team of Australian Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists are working with authorities in Nauru to render safe an

President of the Air Force Drone Racing Association (AFDRA) Flight Lieutenant Jake Dell-O’Sullivan and Vice President of AFDRA, Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Eberl, at the Air Force Drone Racing Association expo day at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story by Captain Sarah Vesey. Photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People

Drone racing buzz attracts endorsement

19/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1235 Views 0 Comments Air Force Drone Racing Team, Army Drone Racing Team

Drone Racing has been endorsed by the ADF Sports Cell as the 31st sport to be officially recognised as an

Australian Defence personnel participate in the HMAS Harman Bonshaw Cup fun run as part of HMAS Harman's 80th anniversary celebrations. Story by Leading Seaman Tara Morrison. All photos by Petty Officer Jake Badior.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Fun run unleashes community spirit

19/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1353 Views 0 Comments HMAS Harman

Frosty Canberra conditions set the scene for HMAS Harman’s 61st annual Bonshaw Cup. CAPTION: Australian Defence personnel participate in the

Corporal Hannah Graham winds in the earthing cable before heading out to refuel. Story b y Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People

Refuelling fast jets in record time

19/07/202323/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1445 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

As a wave of eight fast jets land, Corporal Hannah Graham dispatches tankers to refuel the aircraft – enabling redeployment

100 Squadron's Corporal Adam Scerri, front seat, and Flight Lieutenant Brett Alderton depart RAAF Base Point Cook on 27 June 2022 in a Tiger Moth. Story by Squadron Leader Kate Davis. Photo by Tim O’Connor.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Retracing an aviation heritage trail

19/07/202319/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1563 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook

One of two 100 Squadron Tiger Moths has returned home to RAAF Base Point Cook after spending the past year

Squadron Leader Nathan Hook, left, with Acting Head Joint Support Services Division Air Commodore Grant Pinder, and civilian employer Peter Nugent from AeroPM. Story by Emily Egan. Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh.

ADF News Sovereign industry

Award-winning support for reservists

18/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1597 Views 0 Comments ADF Reserve

The winners of a Defence Supportive Employer Award have recognised the important work of ADF reservists, saying they added genuine

Squadron Leader Peter O’Connell in Baghdad, where he was part of the first Coalition rotation to the city’s airport air traffic control tower. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People

Tall and proud in the control tower

18/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1060 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, Iraq

Air Traffic Controllers often have to deal with the unexpected. This is especially true in war zones. CAPTION: Squadron Leader Peter

ADF ice hockey players during an exhibition game against the Northern Ice at Phillip Ice Skating Centre. Story and all photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Cool contest, warm relations

18/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1419 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, Canadian Armed Forces

It was a contest of experience versus youth when the ADF Ice Hockey Association played an exhibition game against Northern

Two RAAF PC-21 aircraft, from 4 Squadron, conduct sorties with the United States Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft from 17th Special Operations Squadron as part of Exercise Teak Action. All photos by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

USAF special-ops C-130J Ghostrider trains in Oz for first time

18/07/202319/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1956 Views 1 Comment Exercise Teak Action, No. 4 Squadron, RAAF Richmond, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force recently welcomed the USAF’s Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) 23rd Special Tactics Squadron (23rd STS),

Corporal Teneale Olm from 22 Squadron Air Movements section stands in front of a US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider at RAAF Base Richmond during Exercise Teak Action. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

ADF People

An action-packed role with all the right moves

18/07/202318/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1462 Views 1 Comment Exercise Teak Action, No. 22 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

For Corporal Teneale Olm, managing the cargo and passengers of foreign military aircraft during Exercise Teak Action is all part