History – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Members of the community get up close to a CH-47D Chinook helicopter on display at the Australian Army Flying Museum, Oakey, Queensland. Story and photos by Major Carolyn Barnett.

Inside the Australian Army Flying Museum

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 493 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Flying Museum

At the Australian Army Flying Museum, the Chinook helicopter captivates visitors with its sheer scale and commanding presence. CAPTION: Members of

Army veteran William Knowles and his wife Dianne with welfare officer Barry Low and soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Photos by Sapper Oliver McKenzie.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History

‘Homecoming’ for former sapper

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 446 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Lavarack Barracks

A long-held wish was granted to former sapper William ‘Bill’ Knowles, who returned to Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks last month for

Flight Lieutenant Lee Maieron chats with RAAF World War II veteran, Len Mills, at his 104th birthday celebration. Story by Flight Lieutenant Owen Zupp and Monte Wilson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

104 years, 34 missions, one remarkable life

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 405 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, WWII

Second World War aviator, Flying Officer Leonard ‘Len’ Mills, celebrated his 104th birthday in December last year, with 37 Squadron

83 Squadron personnel form the number 83 in front of a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

83 years of intelligence, reconnaissance and security

09/04/202612/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 423 Views 0 Comments intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), No. 83 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh

As 83 Squadron marks its 83rd anniversary, the unit continues the same mission it began during the Second World War

From left, Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh and the HMAS Sydney Association treasurer stand in front of the Bradleys Head Naval Memorial in Sydney, NSW. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial’s enduring significance recognised

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 635 Views 0 Comments

In a ceremony at Bradleys Head in Sydney, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh and Commander Australian Fleet

A 100 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire MK VIII aircraft (058-602) takes off at Warbirds Over Scone 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Flying the past to see the future

27/03/202628/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 489 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron

An air force that fixes its gaze only on the future does not see more clearly, but closes one eye

From left, Wing Commander Peter Croce, Anne Burton and Margaret Hilton with the medals awarded to the late Warrant Officer William Kinloch. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Routine search solves 81-year family mystery

20/03/202620/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 437 Views 0 Comments Air Force History and Heritage, Aussie Hero Quilts, Commendation for Gallantry, No. 464 Squadron, WWII

An 81-year mystery has been solved and a family united with an Air Force war hero’s medals thanks to a

An aviator from 100 Squadron flies a Tiger Moth heritage aircraft. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Duncan Fenn.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Heritage flight warms up for show season

13/03/202615/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 682 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook

The sight and sound of heritage aircraft over RAAF Base Point Cook is more than a nostalgic reminder of Air

The image used on the front cover of the ANZAC Strike Wing book by John Quaife. Story by Flying Officer Casie Scott.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

ANZAC Strike Wing’s daring hunt remembered

13/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 688 Views 0 Comments WWII

Flying at wave-top height in all weather and under heavy fire, the crews of 455 (RAAF) Squadron and 489 (RNZAF)

Colonel Judd Finger, left, Captain Bernadette Alexander and Wing Commander Rowan Paice, lay wreaths and tributes during the USS Peary commemorative service in Darwin, NT. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos: byPetty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin remembered

13/03/202613/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 669 Views 0 Comments HMAS Cape Solander, HMAS Coonawarra, US Marines

Personnel from HMAS Coonawarra attended the commemorations marking the 84th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, a day where more bombs were

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart awards recipient Corporal Sarah Vella the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award during Army's 125th birthday event at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story and photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People Australian Army History

Soldier awarded for her life-saving action

05/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 657 Views 0 Comments 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment, Army Reserve, Chief of Army, Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award

When a young recruit’s psychosocial injury escalated into a life-threatening crisis, Corporal Sarah Vella became the steady, decisive presence he

Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Pipes and Drums gather with Korean War veterans Barrie Divine, centre left, and Robert Hay, centre, during a community activity supporting Exercise Itchy Fingers. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Private Lachlan Craig.

Australian Army History News

Turning it up to 11 for our veterans

27/02/202627/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 426 Views 0 Comments 3rd Battalion RAR, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks

Sitting in Lang Park, watching the cream of the pipe and drums crop skirl their way around the grounds, Private

Delegates from the Initial Flight Training Course 4 at RAAF Base Point Cook. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Auciello.

Australian Army History News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

New pilot-training pilot program

26/02/202628/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 789 Views 0 Comments nitial Flying Training (IFT), RAAF Point Cook

Air Force Training Group has launched an innovative pilot training trial at RAAF Base Point Cook, partnering with RMIT University

Barbara Smith, right, and her daughter Michelle with Chief Petty Officer Ronald Schauer at HMAS Coonawarra during their visit to Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Touching base with the past

26/02/202626/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 388 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra

For 45 years, Barbara Smith has not been back to the Northern Territory. CAPTION: Barbara Smith, right, and her daughter

Exercise Kanga Return 2025 participants begin the hike through the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Ambarose. Photos by Corporal Johnny Huang.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Walking in the muddy footsteps of Kokoda’s fallen

13/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 720 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kanga Return, Kokoda Trail, PNG, WWII

Twenty junior Australian Defence Force leaders took part in Exercise Kanga Return late last year, following in the footsteps of

Commanding Officer 460 Squadron Wing Commander Karri Roberts lays a wreath for the late RAAF World War II veteran, Flying Officer Peter Birt, during a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Flying Officer Michael Thomas. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

A family’s legacy in service

13/02/202613/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 492 Views 0 Comments AWM, Last Post, No. 100 Squadron, No. 460 Squadron, WWII

The courageous service of an Australian World War II aviator was celebrated on both sides of the country at a special Last

Sergeant David Humphry with his Certificate of Service and gold Air Force service medallion at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Natasha Silver.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Half a century of dedicated service

13/02/202613/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 562 Views 0 Comments

Sergeant David Humphry was only 16 when he joined the Royal Australian Navy as a firefighter, a decision that would

Australian, New Zealand and Fijian Multinational Force and Observers contingent members with the Australian Ambassador to Egypt Dr Axel Wabenhorst and New Zealand Ambassador to Egypt Louise Searle at the El Alamein Cemetery. Story and photos by Captain Lucas Benjamin.

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

Multinational forces remember Battle of El Alamein

04/02/202604/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 807 Views 0 Comments Battle of El Alamein, MFO, Operation Mazurka, WWII

In a moving tribute to history and heroism, Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula under Operation Mazurka

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A long life of remarkable service

04/02/202604/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 974 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Garden Island, HMAS Kuttabul

On January 22 2026, a memorial service was held at the Garden Island Naval Chapel to honour the life of

James Scarlett, 9th Baron Arbinger, observes the AE1 submarine stained glass window in the HMAS Kuttabul Chapel, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

AUKUS History News Royal Australian Navy

AUKUS pact represents long family legacy

29/01/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1026 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, HMAS Kuttabul

For most, the AUKUS submarine partnership is an alliance between like-minded nations. CAPTION: James Scarlett, 9th Baron Arbinger, observes the