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A RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft from 10 Squadron conducts a flypast during the National Commemoration of the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Hobart Cenotaph, Tasmania. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O’Connor. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Air Force pauses to remember historic battle

27/09/202327/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 505 Views 0 Comments Air Force Cadets, AP-3C Orion, Battle of Britain, No. 10 Squadron, Roulettes, WWII

The roar of engines overhead from a 10 Squadron AP-3C (EW) Orion heralded the start of a sombre wreath-laying ceremony

(L-R) Katia Hoffmann, Luke Giacomin, Australian Army officers Major Jess Ward, Colonel Paul Graham and Sharna Roberts with a fake vintage Western Australian University Regiment bugle. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army History News

Regiment happy to blow its fake horn

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1135 Views 0 Comments

Around the world, vintage Western Australian University Regiment (WAUR) bugles have popped up at flea markets, antiques shops and eBay,

Leading Aircraftwomen Erica Moy and Tahlia Kitchin, from 83 Squadron, and Lyall Ellers reflect on his Air Force service during his 100th birthday celebrations held at his home in Seacliff, Adelaide, SA. Photos by Sergeant Nicci Freeman.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

A milestone teaches and inspires young aviators

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 622 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

Members of RAAF Base Edinburgh had the privilege of sharing in the 100th birthday celebrations for a World War 2

Commanding Officer HMAS Albatross, Captain Scott Palmer and the youngest sailor aboard, Able Seaman Casey Merriman slice a birthday cake during 75th anniversary celebrations for HMAS Albatross. Story by Sub Lieutenant Jaclyn Bollock. Photos by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Navy’s largest base turns 75

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 423 Views 0 Comments Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Albatross

Nowra locals and dignitaries recently gathered to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the Navy’s only air station

Major Mark Moloney (retd) received a Medal for Gallantry on September 12, 2023 for his actions under hazardous conditions in Vietnam at the 'Battle of the Bunkers', on February 7, 1968. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Veteran finally recognised for ‘battle of the bunkers’

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 304 Views 0 Comments 7th Battalion RAR, Vietnam War

Under intense gun fire and with 27 shrapnel wounds from exploding rocket-propelled grenades in his back, Major Mark Moloney (retd)

A wreath tribute at the Battle of Britain commemorative service at Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Battle of Britain Remembered

20/09/202320/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 639 Views 0 Comments Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

On September 16, RAAF Edinburgh aviators and the Air Force Association (South Australia) co-hosted the annual Battle of Britain commemorative

From left, Seaman Joshua Love, Chief Petty Officer Ashley Schmidt, Able Seaman Jason Martinez and Lieutenant Shanna Stocks. Story by Seaman Kiri Mutton.

History News Royal Australian Navy Veterans

Waterhen carries on the Legacy

12/09/202313/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 669 Views 0 Comments HMAS Waterhen, Legacy Week

To mark the 100th year of Legacy, HMAS Waterhen personnel and volunteers across all three services spent Legacy Week raising

Air Force Roulette pilot Flight Lieutenant Ben Price, left, Air Force Veteran Henry Young, centre, and Air Commodore Micka Gray, right, at Pacific Airshow Gold Coast. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People History Veterans

Living life to the full

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 530 Views 0 Comments

A remarkable 99-year-old former fighter pilot, Henry Young, was one of the oldest attendees at the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast

The Governor of Western Australia, Chris Dawson, receives a Royal Salute from the HMAS Perth Guard during the Duke of Gloucester Cup award ceremony at Fleet Base West. Story by Lieutenant Mick Wheeler. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

History News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth wins Gloucester Cup

08/09/202309/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1063 Views 0 Comments Gloucester Cup, HMAS Perth, HMAS Stirling

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth has been presented with Navy’s most prestigious award, the Gloucester Cup, by West Australian Governor Chris Dawson.

Major Harry Smith in Saigon, Vietnam, August 1966. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photos courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Veterans

A true hero of Vietnam War farewelled

08/09/202308/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2023 Views 9 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, AWM, Harry Smith, Long Tan, Star of Gallantry, Vietnam

The man whose company held back a reinforced North Vietnamese regiment at Long Tan, before fighting for his soldiers to

The Australian Imperial Force Mouquet Farm Memorial near the village of Pozières, France. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Europe History Lest We Forget

Mates first, then and now

30/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 610 Views 0 Comments 31st/42nd Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment, France, Pozières, WWI

Private Wayne Drage’s voice wavered as he spoke about the day his great-great uncle was wounded during the battle of

The Brothers in Arms memorial to Privates James and John Hunter near Ypres, Belgium. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Europe History Lest We Forget

Soldiers retrace diggers’ footsteps

30/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 615 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium, WWI, Ypres

On the night he died in 1977, Jim Hunter called for his older brother Jack. CAPTION: The Brothers in Arms memorial

Australian Army soldiers from the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment with members from the Long Tan Veteran's Association attend the 57th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan service held at the at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. Story by Corporal Rebecca Draheim. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Soldiers connect with veterans

25/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 375 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks, Long Tan

Marking 57 years since the battle, the camaraderie and unspoken exchanges among veterans were unmistakable as they met at St

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award ambassador Corporal Justin Wells, beside the headstone of Gunner William Tasker at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux France. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Wallabies seek inspiration from our fallen

25/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 154 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, France, Last Post, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

It was one of the most stunning battlefield victories and the beginning of the end of WW1. CAPTION: Australian Army

Pilot Officer Alanna Carew RAAF Base East Sale with a 32 Squadron B350 King Air Aircraft. Story by Flight Lieutenant Cindy Ritchie. Photo by Petty Officer Rick Prideaux.

ADF People History

Following their aviation mission

18/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 644 Views 0 Comments National Science Week, RAAF East Sale

Pilot Officers Alanna Carew and Kris Byrne are following their passion for aviation while undertaking training at the Air Mission

Senior Navy officer Lieutenant Commander Brad Eaton and 453 Squadron member Pilot Officer Esther Kim at the Perth Korean War Memorial. Story by Squadron Leader Kate Davis. Photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

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

The ‘forgotten war’ no longer

17/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 407 Views 0 Comments 2FTS, Korean War

A three-ship flypast from 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) over the serenity of Kings Park, WA, marked the opening of

Chief Petty Officer Simon Steyn with his mother Jackie and father Nick on HMAS Onslow in the UK, prior to the O-boat arriving in Australia in 1969.

ADF People History

Like father, like sons, like subs

16/08/202319/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 650 Views 0 Comments Submarine

The smell of diesel would reach up the stairwell to a third-floor Lilyfield apartment before the man coated in it

Flight Lieutenant Garry Cooper (retd) during the Vietnam War in front of a US Air Force O-1 Bird Dog. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

ADF People History Veterans

A historic bird: flying with a Vietnam War pilot

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1392 Views 0 Comments AWM, Forward Air Controllers, US Army, Vietnam War

The South Vietnamese sky was a smoky orange as dusk approached in July of 1968. The buzz of a United

The sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News

Statue a tribute to all military nurses

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 877 Views 0 Comments AWM, Service Nurses, WWII

As the sun rose above the Australian War Memorial on August 2, its light touched the face of the first

Senior ADF Officer RAAF Base Amberley, Group Captain Dennis Tan (right), and Warrant Officer Glenn Lyons (left) with Air Force veteran John Shoesmith and his family to celebrate his 100th birthday. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People History

Spitfire pilot turns 100

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 263 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, Spitfire, WWII

World War II pilot Warrant Officer (retired) John Shoesmith celebrated his 100th birthday in Wynnum Queensland. CAPTION: Senior ADF Officer RAAF

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