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Lieutenant Kurt O’Neill and Sergeant Steven Banks, from the School of Armour, present WW2 veteran, 101-year-old Bertram (Bert) Sutton, with an Aussie Hero Quilt at his home in Numurkah, Victoria.

WW2 veteran honoured with hero quilt

29/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 307 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, School of Armour, WWI, WWII

World War 2 veteran, Private Bertram (Bert) Sutton, has been honoured with the presentation of a hero quilt by the

The water tank mural at RAAF Base Wagga’s aviation heritage precinct. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

Revamped aviation heritage precinct opened

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 375 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Centenary, RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage Centre, RAAF Wagga Wagga

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Wagga’s aviation heritage precinct was officially reopened on June 8 following extensive redevelopments. CAPTION:

A memorial wreath is cast from HMAS Ararat’s quarterdeck over the final resting place of HMAS Canberra 1 near Savo Island, Solomon Islands.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Deployment offers opportunity to remember lost WW2 ship

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 242 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ararat, HMAS Canberra (I), Operation Solania, Solomon Islands

The crew of HMAS Ararat took the opportunity while deployed in the south-west Pacific on Operation Solania to hold a

Mr Max Johnson with some of the many components from the Martin Baker Mk1E seat for Meteor A77-851 (aka ‘Halestorm’). Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

ADF People History

Volunteers bring new life to historical aircraft

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 259 Views 0 Comments RAAF Amberley, RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre

Mr Max Johnson is just one of many volunteers who donate their spare time and a lifetime’s worth of valuable

Royal Australian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Andrew Harrigan speaks to guests during the Sir Ross Smith commemorative service held at St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide. Photo by Sergeant Murray Staff.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Distinguished military aviator honoured

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 288 Views 0 Comments Middle East, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh

One of Australia’s most distinguished military aviators, Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, was honoured at a commemorative service held at St

Executive Officer HMAS Canberra Commander Justin Cloney scatters the ashes of former Navy navigation officer, Captain Michael Freeman, during a committal of ashes to the sea ceremony. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Former sailors laid to rest at sea

15/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 742 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, HMAS Leeuwin

The ship’s company of HMAS Canberra was honoured to commit the ashes of 10 former Navy personnel to the sea

Commanding Officers of No. 460, 462 and 464 Squadrons, alongside World War Two veterans at the Bomber Command Commemorative Day Wreath Laying Ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Modern Air Force pays respect to its heritage

08/06/202213/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 525 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

Bomber Command was commemorated in ceremonies across the country where modern Royal Australian Air Force remembered the sacrifice made by

Squadron Leader Michael Veitch and President of the No. 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association Bruce Robertson at the No. 30 Squadron anniversary dinner. Story by By Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Petty Officer Rick Prideaux.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Former Beaufighters squadron turns 80

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 448 Views 0 Comments No. 30 Squadron, RAAF East Sale, WWII

It has been 80 years since Air Force’s No. 30 Squadron was established at RAAF Base Richmond before deploying to

Military Working Dog Handlers from the Australian Army’s 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment and the Royal Australian Airforce at the National Military Working Dog Day commemorative service, Wacol, Queensland, on June 7. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Warrant Officer Class 2 Kim Allen.

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

Honouring our four-legged heroes

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 409 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs, National Military Working Dog Day, Service Dogs

Since World War I, Australian Defence Force dogs have shown enormous courage, unwavering loyalty and commitment to hard work during

Royal Australian Navy pallbearers carry the casket after the Service Funeral for Rear Admiral (retd) Geoffrey James Alexander Bayliss, held at HMAS Watson Chapel, Sydney. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History

Service and family – a life intertwined

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 207 Views 0 Comments HMAS Albatross, HMAS Creswell, HMAS Watson

The Service Funeral of Rear Admiral (retd) Geoffrey James Alexander Bayliss, was held at the HMAS Watson Chapel on the

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Defence remembers leading scientist, 30 years on

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 109 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, DSTG, No. 35 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron

This year marks the 30th anniversary since Defence experienced the tragic loss of one of its scientists, Michael Howlett, who

The Kuttabul ferry sinking in Sydney Harbour in May 1942. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath.

History Japan Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

80th anniversary of submarine attack

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 546 Views 0 Comments HMAS Kuttabul, WWII

A memorial service at HMAS Kuttabul has commemorated the 27 lives lost in an Imperial Japanese Navy midget submarine attack

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and then Officer Commanding Australia's Federation Guard Major John Cottis, inspect the troops from Australia's Federation Guard in 2011. Photo by Sergeant William Guthrie.

Australian Army History News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy UK

Australia to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 564 Views 0 Comments The Queens Platinum Jubilee

In recognition of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a series of events, activities, and celebrations are planned for the

Mr Djambawa Marawili conducts a welcome ceremony for Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, accompanied by Mudiny Mudiny Dhamarrandji playing the didgeridoo. Story by Lieutenant Commander Tanalee Smith. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People History

Shared maritime connection with Indigenous Australians

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 464 Views 0 Comments Indigenous

When the Chief of Navy recently led a delegation to a remote Indigenous community, they received a truly Australian welcome.

Nyoongar Artist Kevin Bynder with his artwork. Story by Peta Magorian. Photo by Sergeant Gary Dixon.

ADF People History

A colourful story of history and connection

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 431 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, No. 25 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

Personnel from units and squadrons at RAAF Base Pearce gathered for the unveiling of a series of artworks painted by

Mr Les Huddlestone, left, Mr James Parfitt from Larrakia Nation, Wing Commander Jim Collisson, Flight Lieutenant Norm Grogan and Mr Trent Lee from Larrakia Nation. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Sergeant Pete Gammie.

ADF People History

The power of a cuppa and a yarn

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 484 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

RAAF Base Darwin’s No.13 Squadron (City of Darwin) marked the start of National Reconciliation Week 2022 with the Larrakia People

Chief Petty Officer Tina Elliot with Annette Gayula and Rosilyn Marawili during the Diversity Reference Group's visit to the community of Bäniyala, located on Blue Mud Bay in East Arnhem, Northern Territory. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People History

Visit to Arnhem Land reinforces shared connection to the sea

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 314 Views 0 Comments Indigenous

Sailors from the Navy’s Diversity Reference Group had the rare opportunity to be welcomed by the Yolngu clan in East

Petty Officer Jordan Bradshaw plays the didgeridoo at the Anzac Day commemorative service at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History

Bridging cultural gaps focus of sailor’s work

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 290 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Indigenous

Building bridges between Navy and the world’s oldest surviving culture is a full-time job for Petty Office Jordon Bradshaw, and

RAAF Base Amberley Firefighter, Leading Aircraftman Raymond Solinas, is proud of his family's history and service to Defence. He is one of more than 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aviators in Air Force today. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Dion Isaac.

ADF People History

Aviator shares his heritage

27/05/202227/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 421 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, RAAF Amberley

Leading Aircraftman Raymond Solinas, a Ngugi and Kaantju man from Cairns, is proud of his family’s history and service to

A C-130J Hercules comes in to land at Lord Howe Island on May 10 during aircrew training circuits at the island’s airfield. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Hercules crews return to Lord Howe Island

26/05/202228/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 716 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

RAAF’s C-130J Hercules transport aircraft crews have returned to Lord Howe Island for essential training following the lifting of COVID-19

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