Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Wing Commander (then Squadron Leader) Nathan Draper stands in front of a United States Air Force F-35A aircraft at Luke Air Force Base, US, in 2016. Story by Evana Ho. Photo by Leigh Watson.

Aviators to walk for brain cancer research

26/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1463 Views 0 Comments Walk4BrainCancer

Every morning, Wing Commander Nathan Draper wakes up and conducts a BIT check on himself. CAPTION: Wing Commander (then Squadron

Private Stephen Kennedy and Military Police Dog Razor demonstrating a muzzle strike as one of their capabilities. Story and photo by Captain Thomas Kaye.

Australian Army News Videos

Military police welcome new hounds and handlers

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2244 Views 0 Comments Military Police Dog, Military Working Dogs

In September, four new pairings completed their training to become qualified military police dog (MPD) teams. CAPTION: Private Stephen Kennedy

Members of Headquarters 17th Sustainment Brigade joined RSL LifeCare and a number of other veteran charities for a community engagement activity at Our Big Kitchen, Bondi, NSW. Story by Captain Andrew Page.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Veterans

Defence members cook off for a good cause

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1671 Views 0 Comments 17th Sustainment Brigade, RSL

Former and current serving members of the ADF went head-to-head in a kitchen cook-off competition during Veterans Health Week. CAPTION:

A member from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force participates in a combined activity with members of the other forces at the live-fire range in Sydney before embarking on Exercise Kokoda Wantok. Story by Major Dan Mazurek. Photo by Corporal Sagi Biderman.

Australian Army History News

Kokoda trek a sober reminder

23/10/202228/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1956 Views 1 Comment Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Don’t be fooled by the breathtaking jungle beauty. The famed 100km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is no

Australian Defence Force personnel assist Shepparton residents affected by the floods in the Victoria region. Photo by Private Tyson Grant.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF continues support to flood response (Update 23 October 2022)

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2029 Views 0 Comments Operation Flood Assist

Up to 650 ADF personnel are deployed on Operation Flood Assist 22-2 as part of the Australian Government’s response to

ACT/NSW Country’s Squadron Leader Danny Bretherton, left, works hard to evade the desperate defence of North Queensland’s Corporal Andrew Cooper. Story by Squadron Leader Peter Croce. Photo Supplied.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Players back in touch at nationals

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1591 Views 0 Comments

Defence’s best touch football players have emerged from a three-year hiatus to take regional supremacy back to the field at

Army reservists from the greater Victorian region begin clearing flood damage items from the Rochester RSL in Victoria as part of the ADF’s ongoing support during Operation Flood Assist 2022-2. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF inspired by community they serve

23/10/202226/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1801 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Operation Flood Assist, State Emergency Service (SES)

Commander of Operation Flood Assist support in Victoria, Brigadier Matt Burr, said the clean-up of a Rochester school demonstrated the

Runners and support team of the annual Bravery Trek charity fun run, with Commanding Officer HMAS Waterhen Commander Michael Miller at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy Veterans

Head-to-head charity run for veterans

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1369 Views 0 Comments HMAS Kuttabul, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Watson

Navy has supported a 57km charity run from Sydney’s North Head to South Head that raised vital funds for Australian

HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company celebrate the ship's 17th birthday in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. Story by Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis. Photo by Leading Seaman Rappard.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Toowoomba’s three reasons to celebrate

23/10/202226/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1713 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

On the eve of HMAS Toowoomba’s 17th birthday, the crew marked the completion of the mariner skills evaluation and the

HMA Ships Hobart and Stalwart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ship Kirisame and US Navy Ship Milius in the South China Sea. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy USA

Ships ‘foxtrot’ in the South China Sea

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1926 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, HMAS Stalwart, Regional Presence Deployment

HMA Ships Hobart and Stalwart are in the Philippines after completing a trilateral transit of the South China Sea. CAPTION:

An RAAF Roulette PC-21 aircraft from the Central Flying School, RAAF Base East Sale, thrills visitors during Navy Day 2022. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Stephen Hunter. Photo by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

History News Royal Australian Navy

A day to sell the dream

23/10/202225/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1344 Views 0 Comments MH-60R Seahawk, Navy Band, PC-21

The return of Navy Day Victoria on October 9, after a pandemic hiatus, coincided with the 80th anniversary of HMAS

Lieutenant Jared Burton provides an overview of the Pilatus PC-21 aircraft to students, Skye Councillor and Jorja Hammond from Derby District High School. Story by Peta Magorian. Photo by Sergeant Gary Dixon.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Inspiring the minds of Derby youth

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1603 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling, NORFORCE, RAAF Curtin, RAAF Pearce

Eighteen students from Derby District High School were invited to visit RAAF Base Pearce, HMAS Stirling, BAE Systems Australia and two

36 Squadron loadmasters Corporal Shaun Harding, left, and Flight Sergeant Rick Haslewood launch essential supplies from a C-17A Globemaster over Casey Station, Antarctica. Story by Flight Lieutenant Suellen Heath. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Great Southern supply airdrop

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3040 Views 1 Comment Australian Antarctic Division, C-17A Globemaster III, Casey Station, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Southern Discovery

Eagerly awaiting personnel at Casey Station, Antarctica, got excited when they saw two containers falling from a C-17A Globemaster III

Private Mason Howell, of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, on patrol during live-fire training at Kokoda Barracks, Canungra. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Signals Christopher Kingston.

Australian Army News

Ready for live-fire attacks and ambushes

19/10/202219/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2486 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Canungra

Members of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, deployed to Canungra training area in October to conduct Exercise Heeler Strike.

Australian Army soldier Corporal Connor McLeod explains to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines how to attach a detonator to a breaching charge in the Philippines. Story by Captain Joanne Leca. Photo by Corporal Julia Whitwell.

Asia Australian Army News

Sharing skills in the Philippines

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2276 Views 0 Comments 20th Regiment, 3rd Battalion RAR, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines

A series of training activities are under way in the Philippines, aiming to strengthen interoperability between the Australian Defence Force and

Sergeant Nitin Biswas operates virtual reality equipment at the 2022 Land Forces expo. Story and photo by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Virtual training the new reality

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2029 Views 0 Comments 3rd Battalion RAR, Land Forces Conference, Virtual Reality (VR)

Practising drills without touching a weapon or attacking live enemies without stepping outside is now possible thanks to the virtual

A member of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, competing in the shooting section of the military skills competition at Gallipoli Barracks. Story and photo by Captain Cody Tsaousis.

Australian Army News

6th Battalion prove victorious in skills competition

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1971 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, 7th Brigade, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment

The 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, has claimed victory in the 7th Brigade military skills competition. CAPTION: A member of

Members from the ADF's Army Logistic Training Centre conduct sandbagging activities in support of the local community in Shepparton, Victoria. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

More ADF support for flood-hit areas

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1711 Views 0 Comments CH-47F Chinook, Operation Flood Assist 2022, State Emergency Service (SES)

About 310 ADF personnel are now involved in Operation Flood Assist 22-2 as part of the Australian Government’s response to flooding

A Republic of Singapore Air Force CH-47F helicopter lands on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide during Exercise Trident near Shoalwater Bay training area, Queensland. Story by Captain Carla Armenti. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Asia Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Exercise with Singapore wrapped up

19/10/202219/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1767 Views 0 Comments 3rd Battalion RAR, Exercise Trident, HMAS Adelaide, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Republic of Singapore Navy

A combined maritime task group comprised of Australian and Singaporean warships and troops has completed Exercise Trident. CAPTION: A Republic of

Wing Commander Adrian Burge, from 32 Squadron, at the completion of 10,000 military flying hours, in front of a B350 King Air at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flying Officer Ellis Mitchell. Photo by Flying Officer Nathan Howarth.

ADF People History

10,000 hours in the sky

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1830 Views 0 Comments B-350 King Air, No. 32 Squadron, RAAF Reserve

32 Squadron recently celebrated a significant flying milestone by qualified flying instructor reservist Wing Commander Adrian “Boggy” Burge, who has