Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Karen Curtis and her grandchildren with the World War 2 service medals of her great uncle Sergeant William O’Shea at the Timaru War Memorial in New Zealand, after the medals were returned by Chaplain Haydn Lea. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Medals land in safe hands

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 596 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, No. 25 Squadron, RNZAF, WWII

As New Zealander aviator Sergeant William O’Shea’s Wellington bomber barrelled through heavy flak over Germany, a cone of light tracked

Army Corporal Mark Donaldson, VC, speaks to soldiers during a visit to the Trainee Rehabilitation Wing on Holsworthy Barracks, NSW. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photos by Sergeant Brodie Cross.

ADF People Australian Army History

VC recipients inspire the troops

21/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1481 Views 0 Comments Holsworthy Barracks, Mark Donaldson VC

Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC, remembered thinking to himself that there was no one coming to help. CAPTION: Army Corporal Mark Donaldson,

Regimental Sergeant Major of the Defence Force School of Signals, Warrant Officer Class One Benn Goulter, orders signallers to 'march on' at the start of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals centenary parade in Melbourne. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian Army News Videos

Sending signals for a century

21/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2270 Views 0 Comments Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Army Signallers gathered at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 competitor Sergeant Emily Lahey is welcomed on board a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A aircraft by Leading Aircraftwoman Lily Cooper. Story. by Flying Officer Tina Langridge.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie warriors’ inspiring Invictus journey ends

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1385 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport

Team Australia’s incredible Invictus Games 2025 campaign has officially concluded after an inspiring and intense nine-day international competition. CAPTION: Invictus Games

Commander Peter Teichmann during his retirement ceremony at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony White. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

Vietnam veteran casts off after 54 years

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1749 Views 0 Comments

On January 5, 1971, as the Vietnam conflict was spreading to Cambodia and Laos, the first-ever One Day International was

Phil Burton, centre, performs at Camp Baird Headquarters Middle East for deployed ADF personnel on Australia Day during the Forces Entertainment Tour. Story and photos by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Forces Entertainment at Camp Baird

20/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1233 Views 0 Comments Camp Baird, Middle East Region

As the sun set on the dunes behind Camp Baird at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates,

A Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the Nellis Air Force Base flightline during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flowers.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA Videos

High stakes in Exercise Red Flag over Las Vegas

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1971 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, USAF

The Royal Australian Air Force has joined the United States military and Royal Air Force (RAF) in Exercise Red Flag

RAAF Base Amberley senior ADF officer Wing Commander Tanya Evans at the newly refurbished Army and Air Force Canteen Service AP2 kiosk.

News Royal Australian Air Force

AAFCANS upgrade improves offer at Amberley

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 945 Views 0 Comments Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS), RAAF Amberley

Personnel at RAAF Base Amberley can now enjoy the newly upgraded Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS) AP2 Kiosk.

Commander Air Task Group Air Commodore Philip Gordon in front of an F/A-18A Hornet on the flight line of Australia's main air operating base in the Middle East region. This image has been digitally modified. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photos by Corporal Nicci Freeman.

ADF People History Middle East Royal Australian Air Force

Reflecting on Op Okra Air Task Group

18/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1459 Views 0 Comments Daesh, F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, Middle East Region

Hornet pilots strapped into their aircraft in temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees before taking off for eight-and-a-half-hour sorties. CAPTION: Commander Air

Adam Jackson picked up gold in both the 1 and 4 minute indoor rowing events on the final day of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 9: Rowers save best for last at Invictus

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1037 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Indoor rowing and fond farewells took centre stage on the final day of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. CAPTION: Adam Jackson

Trooper Nigel Cox has a proud association with former Mt Alford State School leadership team Guy, Tilly and Klancie. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Mt Alford State School

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

WWI memorial links ‘Trooper Nigel’ with school

18/02/202503/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 942 Views 0 Comments WWI

Trooper Nigel Cox has developed a strong and continuous bond with Mt Alford State School over the past six years,

Captain Shannon Garrett, who was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, is training in a Melbourne gym for a physical challenge trekking across Mont Blanc. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photos by Stewart Chambers.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Brave captain soldiers on despite cancer

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 726 Views 0 Comments

Despite the prospect of never walking again, Captain Shannon Garrett considers himself one of the lucky ones. CAPTION: Captain Shannon Garrett,

Australian Army Captain Anthony Davis, left, instructs Iraqi soldiers of the Taji Military Complex's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy as they practise fire and movement towards a notional enemy position at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army Middle East News

Op Okra proved worth of combined-arms training

18/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1275 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Daesh, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

A decade ago, Daesh seized large territories across north-western Iraq and eastern Syria, taking advantage of the Syrian civil war

Laura Reynell former Team Australia Invictus Games competitor is supporting her partner, Team USA competitor Moses Debraska at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photos by Warrant Officer Ricky Fuller.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Laura’s journey: healing, connecting, changing lives

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 523 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

The Invictus Games are renowned for their role in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured, wounded, and ill military veterans

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Luke Manhire. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 8: High and lows for Team Australia at Invictus

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 502 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

It was a day of mixed emotions for Team Australia’s 13-strong sitting volleyball squad at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025,

Chelsie Clayton yells her support to competitors still swimming at UBC Aquatic Centre as part of Invictus Games Vancouver Canada 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photo by Flight Sergeant Chris Dickson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 7: In the swim to beat performance anxiety

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 497 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Strength. Courage. Camaraderie. Three words that sum up Team Australia’s performances during day seven of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

Major Liz Daly competes for the ball during the wheelchair rugby competition at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photo by WOFF Ricky Fuller.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 6: Wheelchair rugby builds international links

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 502 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Wheelchair rugby and international relationships were the real winners on day six of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. CAPTION: Major Liz

Soldiers and officers of Headquarters 3rd Brigade and the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment operate a command post during Exercise Brolga Walk, Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, 2024. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Trooper Dana Millington.

Australian Army History News

Recognising a century on the electronic front line

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1632 Views 2 Comments 3rd Brigade, 3rd Combat Signal Regiment, Exercise Brolga Walk, Royal Australian Corps of Signals, ww1

From lines to radio transmissions and from analogue to digital, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) has kept

Sailors from Australia, the USA and the UK work together to develop effective undersea domain dominance during a trilateral exercise in Norfolk, Virginia. Story by Commander Ian Jackson.

News Royal Australian Navy USA

Working to protect undersea infrastructure

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1313 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, Royal Navy, US Navy

Royal Australian Navy deployable undersea warfare forces have joined the US Navy and Royal Navy in furthering subsea and seabed

Katie Chapman, Alana Blackman, Cindy ChawnTyler-Marie Gray and Buffy Little psyche up before the Anzac women's snowboarding competition during Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Warrant Officer Ricky Fuller.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 5: Anzac spirit alive at Whistler

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1187 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

We’ve fought side-by-side, laughed together and constantly sledged each other. CAPTION: Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Team Australia competitor Katie