Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

French Armed Forces in New Caledonia soldier Private Thimeo, left, climbs over a vertical tyre obstacle during Exercise True Grit at the Tully training area, Queensland. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

French get acquainted with Australian critters

08/11/202208/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1964 Views 0 Comments 8/9 RAR, Exercise True Grit, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia

Leeches, snakes, and a ‘velociraptor-like’ bird greeted soldiers from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia in Tully, while training with the

Royal Australian Navy personnel from HMA Ships Hobart, Stalwart and Farncomb march during the International Fleet Review 2022 parade in Yokosuka, Japan. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy USA

Visit to Japan strengthens relationship

08/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1951 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Stalwart, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond visited Japan for high-level talks and official events to mark the 70th anniversary of

Flight Lieutenant Jayden Hasemann, from 35 Squadron, at Pohnpei International Airport, Micronesia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People

Enlightening first overseas deployment

08/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1650 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania

Flight Lieutenant Jayden Hasemann, an engineer from 35 Squadron, recently found himself deployed on operation almost 4000 kilometres from home. CAPTION:

Commander Antony Ladomirski in front of the Sea Power Centre Australia in Canberra. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

ADF People History

Much to see over 50 years

08/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1609 Views 0 Comments Navy Reserve, Sea Power Conference Centre

Travelling overseas, when it was still done by sea-liner, inspired Commander Antony Ladomirski to join the Royal Australian Navy in

Vietnam veterans catching up at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Group Captain David Fredericks.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Vietnam veterans reminisce

05/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2181 Views 0 Comments Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, RAAF Amberley, Vietnam veterans

A retreat for 85 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Vietnam veterans and their family members was recently held at the

1 Security Forces Squadron logistic section celebrating their squadron's 80th anniversary. Story by Squadron Leader Cain Taylor. Photo by Aircraftman Bailey Morgan-Brinkworth.

News Royal Australian Air Force

1 Security Forces Squadron celebrates 80 years

05/11/202205/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2167 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Williamtown

1 Security Forces Squadron (1SECFOR) recently celebrated its 80th anniversary at RAAF Base Williamtown and reflected on its 80 year

From left, Aircraftman Haydn Mcgovern, Aircraftwoman Ellenah Wall, Sergeant Adam Thomas and Leading Aircraftman Frank Schinella help clean Duck Park in Moree, NSW, after the recent flood events. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

ADF praised for flood assistance in Moree

05/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3209 Views 0 Comments Operation Flood Assist, State Emergency Service (SES)

In October, the western NSW town of Moree found itself facing a catastrophic flooding event, its second in 12 months.

Army Sapper Alex Brown and Air Force Flight Lieutenant Jake Dell-O'Sullivan with 11-year-old Marlin Mott at Queensland Children's Hospital. Story by Captain Sarah Vesey. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Racing drones steal the show

05/11/202205/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1614 Views 0 Comments Air Force Drone Racing Team, Army Drone Racing Team

Air Force and Army drone racing teams created a buzz for kids at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. CAPTION: Army Sapper

Warrant Officer Tristan Smith, right, assists a midshipman from the Republic of Korea Navy get into a fire suit at the Royal Australian Navy School of Survivability and Ship Safety in Jervis Bay, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Republic of Korea Navy visit HMAS Creswell

05/11/202205/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1709 Views 0 Comments HMAS Creswell, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Australian Naval College

A group of 170 members from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK-N) received a warm welcome during their visit to

HMAS Stalwart arrives at the port of Manila, Philippines, as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

HMA Ships Hobart and Stalwart visit the Philippines

05/11/202205/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2381 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Stalwart, Indo-Pacific Endeavour

HMA Ships Hobart and Stalwart berthed at Manila, Philippines, for a five-day port visit as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022

HMAS Arunta sailors take on the children from the Father Ray Foundation in Sattahip, Thailand, in a tug of war. Story by Lieutenant Chayce Pullen. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Orphanage visit tugs at the heartstrings

05/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1713 Views 0 Comments HMAS Arunta, Indo-Pacific Endeavour

Members of HMAS Arunta, along with a detachment from USS Higgins, visited the Father Ray Foundation, sharing joy with orphaned

HMAS Arunta’s embarked MH-60R helicopter Athena conducts flying operations as the ship transits through the Indonesian archipelago during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Arunta builds partnerships at sea and ashore

05/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1810 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Arunta, Indo-Pacific Engagement, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Arunta has been enhancing partnerships at sea and ashore during the first phase of her Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment.

The ship's company of Australian Defence Vessel Cape Peron, 'cheer-ship' during an official welcome to home port HMAS Cairns. Story by Lieutenants Max Logan and Gary McHugh. Photo by Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy

ADV Cape Peron welcomed home for the first time

05/11/202206/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2527 Views 1 Comment Armidale-class patrol boat, Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, Australian Defence Vessel Cape Peron, HMAS Cairns

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Peron has been formally welcomed to her home port at HMAS Cairns. CAPTION: The ship’s

Air Commodore Grant Pinder with members of the Gender, Peace and Security Directorate and Joint Support Services Division at an information stand in Canberra. Story by Sam Cuninghame. Photo by Emily Egan.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Reinforcing a gender perspective

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1944 Views 0 Comments

How to prevent what is happening to women and girls in the battlefields of Ukraine was top of mind on

RAAF officer Squadron Leader Karyn Ey conducts an ice-breaker activity with personnel from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces during an ADF led workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Sailing the flag for gender equality

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1703 Views 0 Comments Indo-Pacific Endeavour

United over shared values, countries across the Indo-Pacific region welcomed ADF instructors to lead women, peace and security education and

Babcock Australasia’s CEO David Ruff, left, and Managing Director – Defence Andy Davis with Director General Major Surface Ships Commodore Brad Smith during the contract signing ceremony in Western Australia. Photo by Simon Casson.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

New regional maintenance provider contracted in WA

04/11/202206/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1891 Views 0 Comments Continuous Naval Shipbuilding, Henderson WA, Plan Galileo

A regional maintenance provider for a new Defence regional maintenance centre (RMC) at Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia has been

Leading Aircraftwoman Morinda Williams is hoping to inspire other Air Force members from diverse multicultural backgrounds to start donating potentially lifesaving blood. Story and photo by John Noble.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

A donation not in vein

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1222 Views 0 Comments Red Cross Blood Challenge, Red Cross Lifeblood

Donating blood is always a profound way to help the community, but for those with a culturally diverse background it’s even more

Corporal Carlos Linares Fernandez, left, Flying Officer Marco Kall, Leading Aircraftwoman Sonia Gomez Lopez and Sergeant Yuhang Ding participate in a workshop held at Brindabella Park, Canberra. Story by Squadron Leader Jessica Aldred. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

ADF People

Diverse aviators work for a brighter future

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1089 Views 0 Comments

Aviators from across Air Force came together in Canberra for a business speaking program and workshop in October. CAPTION: Corporal

Australian Border Force Inspector Damon Bailey on the bridge of HMAS Adelaide during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022. Story by Flying Officer Brent Moloney. Photo by Leading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

Australian Border Force News Royal Australian Navy

Border Force inspector brings new capability

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2069 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour

Aboard HMAS Adelaide for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE22), Australian Border Force Marine Unit veteran Inspector Damon Bailey is now half

Royal Australian Navy Sailor Able Seaman Jamie Van Pletzen chats with an Indonesian Army Medic during Exercise Wirra Jaya at the Baturaja Training Area, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Story and photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

ADF People

Sailor gets a taste of Army life

04/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1339 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Wirra Jaya

When Able Seaman Jamie Van Pletzen joined the Navy, he never expected to work on a major international exercise alongside