CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - CONTACT magazine

Extensions are planned for the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial to honour contemporary campaigns. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Extension for gunners’ national memorial

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 47 Views 0 Comments Royal Australian Artillery

Plans are under way to extend the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) National Memorial to recognise the service and sacrifice of

May 18 marks five years since the commissioning of HMAS Sydney V – Able Seaman Harley Orpin has a particular strong affinity to the ship, with an elaborate tattoo of it on his arm. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Five years at sea for HMAS Sydney V

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 66 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney

May 18 marks five years since the commissioning of the air warfare destroyer, HMAS Sydney V. CAPTION: May 18 marks five

Medical staff from 3rd Health Battalion treat a simulated casualty during rehearsals as part of Exercise Balikatan in Palawan, Philippines. Story by Lieutenant Emily Tinker. Photos by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Overseas

Army mobile surgery unit agile on Ex Balikatan

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 86 Views 0 Comments 3rd Health Battalion, Exercise Balikatan, Philippines, Role 2 Basic (R2B)

An Australian Army medical team performed critical surgery under general anaesthesia overseas thanks to a new capability provided by the

Members of the public have a close look at an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank at the Gallipoli Barracks Open Day 2023. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Letters to the Editor Thought provoking

Defence Open Day’s Purpose

19/05/2025 Greg Jarosch 497 Views 0 Comments

Dear Contact Editor. Open days such as at Simpson Barracks are always thought provokers for some visitors, civilians, but it

An M1A2 Abrams tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 14 November 2024. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

What Will the Chief of Army’s Reply be?

17/05/202517/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 866 Views 1 Comment

The following is the letter I sent to Lieutenant General Simon Stuart on 10 May 2025: “Dear General, I have

Wing Commander Robyne Green with Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Angus Houston, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and Air Marshal (retd) Leo Davies. Story by Squadron Leader Amanda Scott. Photos by Flight Sergeant Rodney Welch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Federation Star crowns remarkable Air Force career

16/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 951 Views 0 Comments Federation Star

Wing Commander Robyne Green has been awarded a Federation Star in recognition of her extraordinary 40 years of service to

Trainees from the Joint Medic course participate in a theory lesson at the ADF School of Health on Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, in Victoria. Story by Captain Krysten Clifton. Photo by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

School of Health embraces triservice challenge

16/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 781 Views 0 Comments ADF School of Health

Of the five training establishments under Army Logistic Training Centre, none have embraced the Joint environment more than the ADF

Australian Defence Force members march with service personnel from other Commonwealth nations during the London parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photos from UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF commemorates VE Day in London

09/05/202510/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1347 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

More than 1000 service personnel, including members of the Australian Defence Force marched through London to commemorate the 80th anniversary

ADF People Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget

Anzac Day Kokoda trek raises $18,000

09/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1106 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian Space Command, Bravery Trust, Kokoda Trail

Squadron Leader Adon Lumley has returned from one of Australia’s most iconic military pilgrimage sites after completing the legendary Kokoda

Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, present a donation to Brighter Lives at Townsville University Hospital, Queensland. Photos by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

3rd Battalion gives foundation a push along

09/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1295 Views 0 Comments 3RAR, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade

A donation of $1000 will keep the wheels turning on the Brighter Lives buggy and brighten the lives of locals

Letters to the Editor

A Lesson in Artificial Intelligence

09/05/202509/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 626 Views 0 Comments

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in Puslatpur, Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

“Publicly criticising an official Army position amounts to insubordination”

09/05/202509/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 553 Views 0 Comments

1st Armoured Regiment has been stripped of its tanks, reduced to one third of its strength and made a ‘new

10 Squadron marches in a Victory in Europe Day parade on May 9, 1945, in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Story by Rosalind Turner.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

80th anniversary of Victory in Europe

08/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 633 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

On Tuesday May 8, 1945, British prime minister Winston Churchill made an announcement: The war was over and the Allies

Fighterworld general manager, Air Commodore (retd) Jack Fanderlinden, right, listens as Wing Commander (retd) Hugh Holt recalls flying Hercules aircraft with him in 37 Squadron during the Vietnam War. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Fighter World recalls last RAAF boots on ground in Vietnam

08/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 946 Views 0 Comments Vietnam War

Only three RAAF aircraft were in Vietnam on Anzac Day 1975, just days before the Fall of Saigon. CAPTION: Fighterworld general

Anzac Day didgeridoo player, Australian Army Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Youll at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkiye. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Indigenous soldier’s tribute at Anzac Cove

07/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 571 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, Indigenous

Just before dawn on Anzac Day on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkiye, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Lachlan Youll played

Major Deta Kerschat receives his Federation Star from Major General Ash Collingburn. Story and photo by Captain Cody Tsaousis.

ADF People Australian Army History

Forty years of experience and memories

06/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 724 Views 0 Comments

Five uniforms, eight boots, four packs and five rifles – Major Deta Kerschat has seen a lot of change in

The NT ADF men's team holds the 2025 Anzac Shield with Commander 1st Brigade, Brigadier Doug Pashley, and Assistant Commissioner Matthew Hollamby, of the NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services, at TIO Stadium 2, Darwin. Story by Captain Nicholas Marquis. Photos by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Annual charity match raises money for Legacy

06/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 506 Views 0 Comments

In Darwin, dragonflies mark the start of the dry season. CAPTION: The NT ADF men’s team holds the 2025 Anzac Shield

ADF medical personnel take part in the Joint Project 2060 Phase 3 Operational Testing and Evaluation of a new Role Three Minus, a deployable health capability at Ipswich, Brisbane. Story by Eamon McCaughan. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Army and Air Force health set for upgrade

06/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1006 Views 0 Comments 3rd Health Battalion, health services

Army and Air Force health support is set to receive improved definitive care capability, providing soldiers and aviators with access

An Australian Army Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank fires during a training serial as part of a soldier qualification course at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

List of ‘Firsts’ for Australian Armour

06/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 501 Views 0 Comments

“The Australian Army has officially welcomed a second tank squadron to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, marking the first time in

Commander 3 Brigade Brigadier Ben McLennan addresses executives from the Australian Industry Group (AIG) during a visit to Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 13 March 2025. Photo by Major Gabrielle Taylor.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Update for Commander, 3rd Armoured Brigade

06/05/202506/05/2025 Bruce Cameron 578 Views 0 Comments

Brigadier Ben McLennan, Commander 3 Brigade, congratulated two of his Brigade’s units in his ‘X tweet’ for 27 April 2025

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