History – Page 12 – CONTACT magazine

Meteor A77-851 (aka ‘Halestorm’) on display at the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell and Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Group Captain Peter Norford.

‘Last action hero’ now showing

13/10/202315/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2541 Views 0 Comments Directorate of Air Force Heritage, Korean War, No. 77 Squadron, RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook, RAAF Williamtown Heritage Centre (WLM AHC)

The last RAAF aircraft to have engaged in combat in a conflict has been restored and is now on display

Wing Commander Paul Taylor, left, Squadron Leader Michael Leonard and Navy Lieutenant Michael Wheeler lay wreaths at the Beaufort Bomber ceremony, Busselton, WA. Story by Stephanie Hallen. Photos by Pamela Harrison.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

A mystery remembered 80 years on

11/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1623 Views 0 Comments WWII

Eighty years ago, a RAAF Bristol Beaufort Bomber departed Busselton Airfield en-route to Rottnest Island as part of planned surveillance

RMAF Brigadier Ben Khedda presents the Gary Haynes trophy to Pilot Officer Pearl Jeong, at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flying Officer Rowan Crinall. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Daina Sawade.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

RMAF brigadier reviews ATC course graduation

10/10/202313/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1846 Views 0 Comments School of Air Traffic Control (SATC)

On the mark of almost 40 years, honoured alumni Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Brigadier General Ben Khedda Adnan bin

Wreaths adorn the foot of the Loxton Avro Anson Crash Memorial in Loxton, South Australia. Photos by Sergeant Nicci Freeman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Lost airmen remembered 80 years on

10/10/202310/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1829 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh, WWI, WWII

RAAF Edinburgh aviators joined the Air Force Association (South Australia) in commemorating the 80th anniversary of a crash that resulted

Ship's company line the upper decks of HMAS Maryborough II during its decommissioning ceremony. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photos by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Two Armidale-class patrol boats decommissioned

06/10/202307/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2702 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Larrakia, HMAS Maryborough

Ship’s company, family members and an extended Navy community said goodbye to two Armidale-class patrol boats in September. CAPTION: Ship’s company

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.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Air Force pauses to remember historic battle

27/09/202327/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2576 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

Katia Hoffmann, Luke Giacomin, Australian Army officers Major Jess Ward and Colonel Paul Graham with a fake vintage Western Australian University Regiment bugle.

Australian Army History News

Regiment happy to blow its fake horn

22/09/202314/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2587 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 2411 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 1927 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 2527 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 2552 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 2728 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 1947 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 3143 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 4652 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 2131 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 2607 Views 1 Comment 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 1729 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 1617 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 3012 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