Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Colonel Anthony Cattai, left, hands over the 13th Brigade pennant to Commander 2nd (Australian) Division Major General Matthew Burr during the 13th Brigade transfer-of-authority parade at Irwin Barracks. Story by Major Dean Benson.

Australian Army News

New commander impressed with his brigade

25/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 845 Views 0 Comments 13th Brigade, Irwin Barracks

When Brigadier Damian Bushell arrived at 13th Brigade ready to take command, he found a brigade immensely proud of its

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet on the ground at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air show cleared for take-off

25/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 590 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Avalon Airshow

The Australian International Airshow 2025 is ready to welcome the public over three action-packed days, concluding a month of preparation.

Pilot Officer Astrid Streeter-Smith and Pilot Officer Zack Burton return from a sortie with Group Captain Scott Woodland, Air and Space Liaison at the Australian High Commission in London. Story by Pilot Officer Tim Sullivan.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie pilots earn their wings in UK

25/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1121 Views 0 Comments RAF

The first Royal Australian Air Force pilots to undergo ab initio pilot training in the UK with the Royal Air

Families at the Very Special Kids Camp line up for their flight in the Air Force Balloon. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Paris Rigney.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF balloon inspires dreams for Very Special Kids

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1166 Views 0 Comments Air Force Balloon

For many children, the dream of floating high above the ground is pure magic. CAPTION: Families at the Very Special Kids

Commanding Officer HMAS Encounter Commander Tony Ryder presents veteran Able Seaman Colin Cherry with his medals for naval service during the Korean War, surrounded by Lieutenant Commander Gavin Colgan, Petty Officer Warren Sanders and Leading Seaman Dylan Sanders.

ADF People History

Separated by decades, connected by Korea

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1047 Views 0 Comments HMAS Encounter, HMAS Sydney III, Korean War

After more than seven decades, 92-year-old veteran Able Seaman Colin Cherry received his medals for service in HMAS Sydney III

RAAF musician Corporal Robert Scott plays the bagpipes during the Anzac Day dawn service in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Flight Sergeant Vicki Shelley. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Pack your bagpipes, tour the world

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 924 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

In 2015 Corporal Rob Scott was studying at the Conservatoire de Versailles, only a few hundred metres as the crow

Personnel deployed to Operation Manitou and Operation Accordion run to support Australian veterans’ families. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring.

ADF People

ADF on the run for Legacy in Middle East

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 748 Views 0 Comments Headquarters Middle East, Legacy, Operation Accordion, Operation Manitou

Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East have been on the run, and raising funds for Legacy while

Sergeant Paul Dennis, left, and Lieutenant Jack Macklan talk to Lismore resident Chris McNamara near the flooded Wilsons River during a joint patrol to monitor floodwaters as part of Operation Topical Cyclone Alfred Assist. Story by Lieutenant Emily Tinker. Photos: byWarrant Officer Class 2 Raymond Vance.

Australian Army News

Local knowledge vital in assisting community

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 772 Views 0 Comments 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment, 8/9 RAR, Army Reserve, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

Showing how quickly the ADF can mobilise when needed, the Lismore-based 41st Battalion, the Royal New South Wales Regiment (41

Squadron Leader Anthony Rengel receives handover from the 77th ANARE medical practitioner Dr Peter Rizzo near the RSV Nuyina and local Adelie penguins.

ADF People Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

The doctor is in the ice house

19/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1419 Views 0 Comments Antarctica, Mawson Station, Operation Southern Discovery, RSV Nuyina

Squadron Leader Anthony Rengel’s inspiration to spend a year in Antarctica came from a relative who worked at Mawson station

The new ADF bible, supplied by the Bible Society Australia, at the launch ceremony at Russell Offices in Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

A new source of light for the ADF

19/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1303 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, WWI

Two large shells exploded near Lance Corporal Phillip Davies while he was digging in telephone cables at Messines Ridge during

From left, Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, Seaman Deborah Kwon, Private Danielle Collier and Brigadier Jason Groat cut the cakes to celebrate the 124th birthday of Navy and Army.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Services ring in birthdays at carillon

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1208 Views 0 Comments

Military Personnel Division celebrated the 124th birthday of Navy and Army at the National Carillon in Canberra last week. CAPTION: From

MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel Deleur shows Craftsmen Edward Viney and Dylan Mountain things people have made, during a site induction at the MakerSpace on Robertson Barracks. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

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

MakerSpace solves big problems with clever ideas

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1423 Views 1 Comment 3d Printer, MakerSpace, Robertson Barracks

Tucked away on Robertson Barracks lies a workshop that hums with creativity, problem-solving and quiet ingenuity. CAPTION: MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel

Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt in Exmouth, Western Australia. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Navy

A look inside secretive comms facility ahead of overhaul

18/03/202523/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2032 Views 2 Comments Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt, Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare

Work is under way to overhaul a kilometres-wide and 300-metre-tall transmitter array in the remote West Australian town of Exmouth.

An Army staff cadet from the RMC - Duntroon during Exercise Shaggy Ridge at Majura Training Area, ACT. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Corporal Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Videos

Exercise pushes staff cadets’ limits

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1860 Views 0 Comments Army Cadets, Exercise Shaggy Ridge, Royal Military College-Duntroon (RMC-D)

Restricted food, sleep and limited feedback are what staff cadets from Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) experienced on Exercise

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) host the 2025 DMFS welcome event in Adelaide. Story by Chelsey Ballard. Photo by Georgina Holmes.

ADF People

ADF settles into South Australian postings

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2628 Views 0 Comments Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS)

With the start of a new year comes a series of new postings for ADF personnel and their families. CAPTION: Defence

Navy Imam Mogamat Majidih Essa leads a prayer for members of the TNI AL at a local mosque in Surabaya Indonesia during Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Challenges personnel face during Ramadan

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 386 Views 0 Comments Chaplains

For Muslims in Defence, Ramadan presents a set of unique challenges. CAPTION: Navy Imam Mogamat Majidih Essa leads a prayer

Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Jure Plestina observes a vessel from a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft during a coordinated maritime domain awareness activity in the South China Sea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos: byCorporal Emma Schwenke.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Freedom of navigation mission protects Indo-Pacific

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1257 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Exercising Australia’s freedom of navigation, the Royal Australian Air Force successfully completed maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region under

Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving Mr Watkins' life, and receive a tour of the ship while alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Training saves life of tourist in trouble

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1437 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

“Without their help … I wouldn’t be here.” CAPTION: Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, talks with Queensland State Emergency Service officers about assisting Hervey Bay residents in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Gabriel Argent.

Australian Army News

Flood clean-up reaffirms Defence ties

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1241 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The community of Hervey Bay has strong Defence connections. CAPTION: Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian

Australian Army soldiers from 7th Combat Brigade conduct preparations at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Australian Army News

Support for Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1287 Views 0 Comments Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency authorities in Queensland and