History – CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force officers Air Commodore Adam Spinks, left, and Air Commodore Bill Hayden unveil the Australian Armourers Association plaque at the RAAF Memorial Grove, Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Memorial enshrines Air Force ‘gunnies’

12/12/202512/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 386 Views 0 Comments

More than a century after Australian aircrew first dropped bombs over the Middle East, a memorial has been dedicated to

Combat assault dog, Fax, posthumously receives an Australian Animal Distinguished Service Medal at a ceremony at Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. Story by Major S.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Combat assault dog honoured

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 615 Views 1 Comment Afghanistan, Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award, Military Working Dogs

In a moving ceremony in Perth last month, Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) combat assault dog, Fax, posthumously received the

A relative of Flight Lieutenant Ross Frayne – a World War 2 and Korean War veteran who died in a crash at RAAF Base Mallala in 1955 – places a poppy on a commemorative wreath at the new Air Force memorial at the South Australian Aviation Museum. Story by Group Captain Greg Weller.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force commemorates peacetime sacrifice

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 747 Views 1 Comment Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Aviation Museum

Attendees gathered at the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) to witness the Dedication and Inaugural Commemorative Service of a new

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell presents 101-year-old Air Force veteran Charles Reif with an Aussie Hero Quilt. Story by Elise Monge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rodney Welch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

A lifetime of dedication to country and service

25/11/202525/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 656 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, Chief of Air Force

When Charles Reif enlisted in the Air Force in 1946 at 22 years old as an aircraftman electrical mechanic, he

Three Royal Australian Air Force MQ-4C Triton aircraft on the taxiway at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

9 Squadron’s all-seeing unseen new role

25/11/202530/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1064 Views 1 Comment MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, Northrop Grumman Australia, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Tindal, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

In June 2023, 9 Squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Edinburgh (with a detachment at RAAF Base Tindal) to operate

Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Wing Commander Richard Brougham presents a 100 Squadron challenge coin to James Birt. Story and photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Connecting then and now

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1041 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, WWII

It’s been more than 80 years since James Birt was defending our nation in World War 2, yet he can

The Colour Party presents the 9 Squadron Standard as a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter conducts a flyover at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide to mark the squadron’s reformation. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

9 Squadron flies again

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4801 Views 4 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron

9 Squadron has officially reformed, marking its proud return to Air Force service with a ceremony at Torrens Parade Ground,

Air Mobility Training and Development Unit personnel gather for a group photo at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Sixty years of developing and delivering

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 618 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), RAAF Richmond

Current and past members of Air Mobility Training and Development Unit (AMTDU) came together at RAAF Base Richmond recently to

Sandy Sandford, a former Regimental Sergeant Major of Trentham Military Camp in New Zealand, sells poppies in Melbourne ahead of Remembrance Day. Story by Major Carla Armenti. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army History News

Royal visit evokes fond memory for veteran

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 511 Views 0 Comments Remembrance Day

As the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASIGS) celebrates its centenary with parades and activities across the country to commemorate

Author and former broadcaster Mike Carlton speaks to the audience at Indo Pacific 2025. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Mike Carlton honoured at Indo Pacific 2025

14/11/202514/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 603 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Indo Pacific

An author, historian and journalist known for his stories of the people behind some of Navy’s most notable missions has

Poppies in front of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photo by Andrew Green.

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

Keeping the memories alive

11/11/202511/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 532 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day address from Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston CAPTION: Poppies in front of the Australian War

Then-Able Seaman Ross Gourlay, centre, heads towards HMAS Martindale anchored at Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea, 1944. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring 100 years on the 11th hour

11/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 475 Views 0 Comments Remembrance Day, WWII

Kamikaze planes from the land of the rising sun came silhouetted against the setting sun. CAPTION: Then-Able Seaman Ross Gourlay,

Seaman Angus Norbury and Able Seaman Christopher Diviak lay a wreath on board HMAS Ballarat during a service commemorating the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

History Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Honouring our fallen

07/11/202507/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1177 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, WWII

HMAS Ballarat paused at sea to honour those who fought and fell in the Battle of Leyte Gulf – one of the

A 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules taxis onto the RAAF Base Richmond apron after a flight that marked 170,000 cumulative flying hours in the C-130J for the squadron. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Hercules fleet clocks 170,000 flying hours

07/11/202507/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

In September 2025, 37 Squadron’s C-130J Hercules fleet surpassed 170,000 flying hours, marking a significant milestone in the squadron’s history

Then-president of 30 Squadron Beaufighter Association, Bruce Robertson, during his 105th birthday celebration at Castle Hill RSL Club, NSW. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

A long life of loyal service

04/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 552 Views 0 Comments WWII

On October 14, Bruce Robertson, a 105-year-old Air Force World War 2 veteran – who was the first to detect

Herbert Adams watches the premiere screening of the documentary, An Enduring Legacy: The Empire Air Training Scheme, at RAAF Base Wagga, NSW. Ssdtory by Squadron Leader Karyn Markwell. Photos by Aircraftman Jakob Reid.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

History and heritage on show in new film

24/10/202526/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 995 Views 0 Comments History and Heritage – Air Force Restoration Support Section (HH-AF RSS), No. 464 Squadron, RAAF Wagga Wagga, RAAFSTT, WWII

History and Heritage – Air Force (HH-AF) officially released the documentary An Enduring Legacy: The Empire Air Training Scheme at a premiere

Royal Australian Air Force PC-21 and Wirraway aircraft perform a flyover during the RAAF Base Wagga Freedom of Entry parade, in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photo by Aircraftman Jakob Reid.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Freedom of Entry marks bond of 85 years

23/10/202523/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 865 Views 0 Comments Freedom of Entry, RAAF Wagga Wagga

With swords drawn and drums beating, 500 RAAF Base Wagga personnel marched in perfect formation as a Freedom of Entry

STS Young Endeavour sails from Sydney Harbour, embarking on her last voyage around Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Young Endeavour’s last lap inspires new generation

22/10/202522/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2928 Views 0 Comments Young Endeavour

Australia’s national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour has completed her final circumnavigation of the continent, marking a significant milestone in her 37-year

Major Mike Fitzpatrick, left, and his late father Keith Fitzpatrick. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Three generations of military service

10/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 955 Views 0 Comments WWII

Of the nearly one million Australians who served in World War 2, Keith Fitzpatrick was believed to be among the

Phillip 'Monro' Preuss celebrates his century with his great-grandchildren and 1 Recruit Training Unit members, from left, Squadron Leader Shannon Monk, Wing Commander Jodie Mason, Sergeant Nick Harrison, Corporal Tahlia Stockley and Warrant Officer David Harding. Story and photos by Flying Officer Belinda Barker.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

WWII veteran celebrates a century

08/10/202502/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1154 Views 0 Comments 1RTU, RAAF Wagga Wagga, WWII

Nearly 80 years after his discharge from the Royal Australian Air Force, Phillip ‘Monro’ Preuss remains a celebrated member of

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