History Archives - CONTACT magazine

Commander Nick Barker passes on his father's ceremonial sword to his daughter, Lieutenant Emma Barker, following her graduation from New Entry Officers' Course at HMAS Creswell. Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Slice of family history handed down

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 75 Views 0 Comments

Continuing a family tradition, nursing officer Lieutenant Emma Barker late last year graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College, with

Air Force imagery specialists, from No. 464 Squadron, take imagery on the RAAF Base Richmond flightline. Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.

A glimpse inside RAAF photography

08/01/202208/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1571 Views 7 Comments photography

Capturing the realities of war took a leap forward with the invention of photography in the 1800s. CAPTION: Royal Australian

Warrant Officer Michael McDonnell, left, and Lord Mayor of Brisbane Councillor Adrian Schrinner, right with WWII veteran and centenarian Esdale Davis. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photo: by Corporal Jesse Kane.

ADF People History

Oldest squadron member turns 100

24/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 757 Views 0 Comments

The oldest known living member of No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron, Esdale Davis, celebrated his 100th birthday on November

Warrant Officer – Navy Deb Butterworth with two men who were promoted to warrant officer 50 years ago when the rank was reintroduced, Alfred ‘Rusty’ Marquis, left, and Robert Brown, at the anniversary event. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

History News Royal Australian Navy Veterans

Navy warrant officer rank milestone celebrated

24/12/202125/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1328 Views 1 Comment Warrant Officer - Navy

The 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of the rank of warrant officer in the Navy was marked with a ceremony

Commanding Officer Naval Headquarters Tasmania Commander Andrew Wright and Commanding Officer HMAS Launceston Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Graney at the Teddy Sheean VC memorial in Ulverstone, Tasmania. Story by Petty Officer Ian McGiffen.

History News Royal Australian Navy Veterans

New plaque honours Teddy Sheean VC

21/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 537 Views 0 Comments HMAS Armidale I, Victoria Cross, WWII

A new memorial plaque honouring Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean VC was unveiled in Shropshire Park in the Tasmanian town

Former Women's Royal Australian Air Force member Valarie Rappold is shown how to fly the P-8 Poseidon simulator by No. 11 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant Larissa Stephens at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nat Giles. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Tales of the past surprise

16/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 619 Views 0 Comments No. 292 Squadron

The female members of the logistics’ section of Air Force’s No. 92 Wing hosted two special visitors on November 19.

CEO of The Air Force Shop Stephen Davie, left, Director General Air Force 2021 Air Commodore Andrew Elfverson and General Manager TLA Merchandise Terry Wilson at the presentation of funds raised through Air Force centenary merchandise sales. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

History preserved through merchandise sales

16/12/202117/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 451 Views 0 Comments

Royal Australian Air Force centenary commemorations have also ensured history is preserved, with funds generated from merchandise sales donated to

Herbert Barker celebrates his 100th birthday with family and friends on December 13. Story by Private Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Veterans

Original engineer thanked for his service

16/12/202116/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 604 Views 0 Comments Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

An original member of the then-named Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps and WWII veteran, Herbert Barker celebrated his 100th

Former Navy paramedic Jamie Hodgess, left, and his nephew Army petroleum operator Warrant Officer Class Two Stuart Hodgess with the Navy hat that belonged to Jamie Hodgess' father, Gus. Story by Captain Thomas Kaye . Photo by Lance Corporal Christopher Smith.

ADF People History

Hats off to historic family find

16/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1237 Views 0 Comments

A piece of family military history, uncovered during restoration works at a Brisbane railway station, has been returned to its

Friends and family greet HMAS Sirius as the ship returns to its home port at Fleet Base West for the final time. Story by Lieutenant Jessica Craig. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Home for the final time

10/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 440 Views 1 Comment Fleet Base West, HMAS Sirius

It was a bittersweet moment for onlookers at Fleet Base West on December 2 when HMAS Sirius returned home. CAPTION:

Officer Commanding No. 92 Wing Group Captain John Grime lays a poppy at the grave of Flying Officer Maxwell Pearce in Salisbury, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nat Giles. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

ADF People History

Past aviators honoured

10/12/202117/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 220 Views 0 Comments AP-3C Orion, Parafield

On 10 December 1942, only six months after arriving at his first posting, Flying Officer Maxwell Pearce died in a

Air Force aviators form a guard of honour for Air Commodore (retd) Lyall Klaffer at his funeral service in Adelaide. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nat Giles. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People History

Distinguished fighter pilot farewelled

10/12/202117/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 322 Views 0 Comments Korean War, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 75 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, Vietnam War

Former fighter pilot Air Commodore (retd) Lyall Klaffer, who achieved several firsts in the Royal Australian Air Force, was farewelled

(Australian War Memorial Director Mr Matt Anderson and Captain Anita Nemarich, RAN, with one of the donated red kangaroo funnel insignia from HMAS Parramatta at the Treloar Technology Centre, ACT. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Red kangaroos donated to Australia War Memorial

07/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 427 Views 0 Comments AWM, HMAS Parramatta II, HMAS Parramatta IV, WWII

EIGHTY years to the day since HMAS Parramatta (II) was lost, the red kangaroo funnel insignia from successor ship Parramatta (IV)

Australian Army soldier Corporal A, from the 1st Commando Regiment, talks with Second World War British Army veteran Mr John Morris in the garden of his home in Merrylands, Sydney. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Cameron Martin.

ADF People History Veterans

World War II veteran joins Chelsea Pensioners

07/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 469 Views 0 Comments SAS, WWII

After decades living in Australia, a World War II Special Air Service (SAS) and Battle of Britain veteran was escorted home

Left, Lieutenant Shirley Goodwin's enlistment portrait for World War I; and right, Brigadier Shirley Goodwin while deployed in New Guinea during World War II. Story by Captain Joanne Leca.

ADF People History

Artillery’s venerated gentleman

07/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 553 Views 0 Comments Australian War Memorial, Duntroon, Gallipoli

One of the first ashore at Anzac Cove on the day of the fateful landing was a young Australian artillery

Since their arrival in 1985, the Classic Hornets have made an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s air power, including in theatres of operations such as Operations Slipper, Falconer and Okra. After more than 30 years of dedicated service, and nearly 408,000 total flying hours, the F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet will transition to the advanced lethality, survivability, and supportability delivered by the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

End of Era F/A-18A/B ‘classic’ Hornet video montage

03/12/202108/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 446 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets

F/A-18A and F/A-18B ‘classic’ Hornets formally retired from service on Monday 29 November 2021, as the Royal Australian Air Force

An F-35A Lighting II aircraft performs an aerial display at the 2021 Wings Over Illawarra Airshow in New South Wales. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Spectacular display on NSW south coast

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 436 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18A/B Hornets, Wings Over Illawarra

From the extreme roar of jet engines to the gentle purr of pistons, aircraft criss-crossed the skies above the south

Aircraft A21-02 flown by Group Captain Jason Easthope, Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group taxis through a farewell water canon at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Combat support unit reflects fondly on Hornets

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 357 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, No. 17 Squadron

Approximately 300kms south of Darwin near the township of Katherine is RAAF Base Tindal, a remote air base. The base

2 RAR (Amphib), are halted and challenged by Townsville District Commander, Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon for the 50th anniversary of the Freedom of Entry to the city of Townsville. Story by Lieutenant Simon Hampson. Photo by Corporal Jesse Kane.

Australian Army History News Veterans

A half century of freedom

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 443 Views 0 Comments 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Freedom of Entry, Townsville

The anticipation and excitement in the air was palpable on November 27 as Townsville locals awaited the start of the

(L-R) LCDR Kevin Whatling, Naval Architect Mr Marc Richards, CHAP Bradley Galvin, Serco Marine Services Juan Camilo Ruiz Del Rio, Hydrographic Systems Operator Suzanne Burton and CO HMAS Cairns CMDR Glenn Williams on Naval Workboat Otter at HMAS Cairns. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Hutcheon.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Naval workboat celebrates 40 years on the job

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 855 Views 0 Comments

Naval Workboat Otter, Navy’s longest serving workboat, recently marked its 40th birthday at HMAS Cairns. CAPTION: (L-R) LCDR Kevin Whatling,

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