Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

RAAF security aviators on a C-17A Globemaster III prepare for a deployment to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Rotation-B. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Peacekeeping mission in safe hands

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1313 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq

Under the Iraqi sun, boots hit the ground as a Royal Australian Air Force security team established a perimeter for

The Parade of Sail through the River Derwent marks the opening of the Royal Hobart Regatta 2025 in Tasmania. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Young Endeavour flies flag at Royal Hobart Regatta

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 0 Comments STS Young Endeavour

Tasmania’s River Derwent was transported back to the glorious “Age of Sail” during the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart

Captain Olivia Miley-Dyer stands on the podium after claiming gold in the Nordic cross-country skiing at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 4, a day of firsts, medals and mateship

14/02/202514/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 528 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

A bluebird day uncovered bucket loads of Aussie grit and determination during day four of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

RAAF armament technicians load explosive ordnance on to an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Cope North 25, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning crews drop bombshell in Guam

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1448 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, GBU-39 small-diameter bombs, No. 75 Squadron

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) 75 Squadron has launched into Exercise Cope North 25 with a bang, testing the

Roulette Two, Flight Lieutenant David Burnard, stands with Tour Down Under assistant race director Carlee Taylor before their PC-21 flight. Story and photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF swoops on Tour Down Under

12/02/202513/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1007 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, PC-21, Roulettes

From the beaches of Glenelg to the hills of Willunga, Royal Australian Air Force aircraft proudly supported the 2025 Santos

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Team Australia skeleton slider Luke Manhire holds his line as he slides down the mountain at the Whistler Sliding Centre, Canada.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 3: Thrill seekers find joy on icy track at Invictus

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 830 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

The spotlight was firmly on Team Australia’s adrenalin junkies during day three of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. CAPTION: Invictus Games

SGT Emily Leahy participates in the curling event at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by FLGOFF Belinda Barker.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Aussies put their spin on wheelchair curling

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

“Lawn bowls on ice.” That’s how Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Team Australia competitor Sergeant Emily Lahey describes wheelchair curling.

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft departs during Exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes in Guam

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 921 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 2 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, USAF

Hosted in the Indo-Pacific island of Guam, the last several iterations of Exercise Cope North have traditionally been an opportunity

A Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft takes off from Nellis Air Force Base during Exercise Red Flag Nellis. Story. y Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. US. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF flies Red Flag over Nevada

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1798 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 41 Wing, No. 77 Squadron

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken to the skies for Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 with its biggest

A member of the public from Halifax, QLD unloads critical supplies from a CH-47F Chinook helicopter from 5th Aviation Regiment during their assistance to North Queensland floods in February 2025. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Captain Chloe Elmwood.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Aviation assets support Ingham community

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 920 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA, No. 27 Squadron, Queensland Flood Assist

Choppers have taken to the skies in North Queensland to provide vital aircraft support to the state-government led response to

Soldiers from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment assemble a medium girder bridge at Ollera Creek, Townsville, during Defence Assistance to the Civil Community following severe weather and flooding across the region. Story by Captain Brittany Evans. Photos by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News Videos

Sappers provide support in Townsville

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1728 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Medium Girder Bridge, Queensland Flood Assist, Sapper

The aftermath of more than 1400mm of rain has devastated communities of Far North Queensland, with part of the Ollera

HMAS Brisbane's piping party pipes the side as Vice Admiral Donald Chalmers (retd) steps off the ship after a ship's tour alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney, NSW. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Angus Tyson. Photos by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

Former navy chief returns to HMAS Kuttabul

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1097 Views 0 Comments HMAS Kuttabul

Former Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Donald Chalmers (retd) has been piped aboard HMAS Kuttabul for the first time in almost

An aerial view of the new community store being constructed adjacent to the airstrip in Bäniyala, Northern Territory, as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Corporal Lucas Petersen.

Australian Army News

Engineering food security for remote community

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 778 Views 0 Comments 19th Chief Engineer Works (19CEW), AACAP

Imagine running out of fresh bread or milk when the closest grocery store is more than 200km away. CAPTION: An aerial

Australian Army soldiers WO2 Bryan Griff and WO2 Paul Thornhill gather with contractors from Reeves Envico and Hebou to discuss the progress of the PNGAus Partnerships’ Potable Water Infrastructure Works at the PNG Defence Force’s Goldie River Training Depot, PNG. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Corporal Joshua Thomas.

Australian Army News Overseas

Army engineers tap into new water supply for PNGDF

07/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1475 Views 0 Comments 12th Chief Engineer Works (12CEW), PNGDF

Most of us consider a clean, accessible and infinite supply of water a normal part of our day, if not

HMAS Stuart conducts a replenishment at sea with Indian Navy Ships Shakti and Tabar with INS Kadmatt behind as part of Exercise Malabar 24. Photo by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

News Royal Australian Navy

Defence Data Standards boost Navy capability

07/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1642 Views 0 Comments Exercise Malabar, HMAS Stuart

Navy is using data and analytics to improve the lethality and survivability of the fleet, enabled by new Defence Data

A restored Air Force Vampire aircraft at the History and Heritage Centre, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Pilot Officer Timothy Sullivan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Return of the Vampire

07/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1645 Views 0 Comments History and Heritage – Air Force Restoration Support Section (HH-AF RSS), No. 23 Squadron, RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre

The RAAF’s 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron has acquired its first aircraft after a 65-year break from flying: a 1950s-era

Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy Brigadier Troy Francis is honoured to lead an institution he always wanted to be involved with. Photos by John Carroll.

ADF ADF People

ADFA appointment a highlight for brigadier

04/02/202504/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1995 Views 0 Comments ADFA

Brigadier Troy Francis has been appointed commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) for the next three years. CAPTION: Commandant

Murielle Ahern with her family during her 100th birthday celebration at HMAS Moreton, Brisbane. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy Veterans

Trailblazing veteran waltzes into 100 years

04/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1257 Views 0 Comments HMAS Moreton, HMAS Penguin, WWII

Family, friends and HMAS Moreton personnel turned out in force to help celebrate a remarkable milestone, Murielle Ahern’s 100th birthday.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, support the Queensland Police Service with door-knocking during severe weather in Townsville. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News

Personnel wade in to assist during Qld flooding

04/02/202508/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1207 Views 0 Comments 3 RAR, 3rd Brigade, DACC

As residents in far-north Queensland braced for flooding in the wake of heavy rainfall and damaging winds, Army personnel from

ADV Reliant crew offload the donated fire truck onto the dock at Betio Port, Tarawa, Kiribati. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Aldrich.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Reliant delivers in the Pacific

04/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1426 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kiribati

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant set sail from Brisbane in late December for her first deployment of the year, reaffirming