CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - Page 2 of 72

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, meets local man Erik Adriaensen at the graves of fallen aviators from 464 Squadron at Eindhoven, Netherlands. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

RAAF salutes dedication to WWII graves

20/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 552 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, Netherlands, WWII

A Dutch family who tend to the graves of Australian aviators have received personal thanks from Chief of Air Force

Defence and civilian agencies handle simulated mass casualties from a truck-on-train crash scenario in rural Victoria. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos by Private Nicholas Stoewer.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Train-wreck drill tests emergency response

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 524 Views 0 Comments

Smoke, screams and chaos set the scene as a truck ploughed into a train packed with football fans during a

An Australian Army soldier from 1st Armoured Regiment talks to a British Army soldier from 2nd Battalion, Royal Yorkshire Regiment, about emerging technologies during Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PCC5) in Fort Irwin, California, 9 March 2025. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Letters to the Editor

Open letter to CO and RSM, 1st Armoured Regiment

19/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 11450 Views 31 Comments

Dear Commanding Officer and RSM, 1st Armoured Regiment You may not be aware, but the Army and (surprisingly) the Armoured

An Australian Army Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank during a live-fire serial as part of a qualification course for Royal Australian Armoured Corps soldiers at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Minister About 3 Bde Being Incomplete

15/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 978 Views 0 Comments

Dear Minister, Congratulations on your Government’s return to Office. As a Vietnam veteran who continues to take an interest in

Captain Brendan Nguyen engages with a student during mental health training in Ho Chi Minh City. Story and photos by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Overseas

Army psych values training first-hand in Vietnam

13/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1088 Views 0 Comments UNMISS, Vietnam

Australian Army psychologist Captain Viet (Brendan) Nguyen returned to the homeland of his parents to assist in preparing Vietnam People’s

An Australian Army soldier from 1st Armoured Regiment demonstrates hyper-teaming with uncrewed aerial systems on Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California, on 11 March 2025. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Letters to the Editor

How was the Decision Made That Stripped 1st Armoured Regiment of its Tanks?

12/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1212 Views 3 Comments

Dear All, Did it just happen? Did the Chief of Army suddenly have a vision and tell the RAAC Head

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment welcomes its second tank squadron at a T4 (D Squadron) Raising Ceremony at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. Photo by Private Jessica Gray.

Letters to the Editor

Is 3 Brigade a Fully Capable and Equipped Armoured Brigade?

10/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 1149 Views 0 Comments

A recent radio broadcast emphasised that Australia is fully equipped and prepared to fight from and defend its northern bases,

An Australian Army soldier from the 1st Armoured Regiment with an uncrewed ground vehicle equipped with a prototype communications system and experimental drone launcher during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Photo by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Letters to the Editor

Why is 1st Armoured Regiment Still an RAAC Unit?

09/06/202509/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 969 Views 0 Comments

The Chief of Army has stripped 1 Armd Regt of its tanks, reduced it in size by two thirds, and

Letters to the Editor

Comments on the Demise of 1st Armoured Regiment

07/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 3044 Views 2 Comments

A number of articles have been published in Contact Magazine as part of a campaign to have 1st Armoured Regiment

Members of HMAS Canberra's Standing Sea Fire and Emergency Party conduct damage control training with Chief Petty Officer Andrew Gibson from Sea Training Group during a transit to Wellington, New Zealand. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Petty Officer Jarrod Mulvihill.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

First responders in seaborne damage control drills

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1060 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Sea Training Group

HMAS Canberra crew became their own first responders in damage control exercises off the coast of NSW, en route to

Royal Australian Air Force personnel from Australia's Federation Guard and 100 Squadron carry the caskets of Warrant Officer Russell Grigg and Warrant Officer Clement Wiggins in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Squadron Leader Karyn Markwell. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha Katz-White.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

World War II aviators laid to rest after eight decades

06/06/202517/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 0 Comments Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The remains of two aviators from 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-186 were laid to rest in a moving committal service on

Private Arianna Yunkaporta and Private Irwin Yunkaporta, of 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, attend a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photos by Corporal Jarrod Moreels.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Emotional trip south for Indigenous soldiers

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 726 Views 0 Comments 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment, Army Reserve, AWM, WWII

Canberra did not put on its best to welcome Arianna and Irwin Yunkaporta – the two Army Reserve soldiers from

Letters to the Editor

CONTACT paper issues 1-40 for sale

06/06/202506/06/2025 Andrew Thompson 278 Views 0 Comments

I have for sale, CONTACT magazines issues 1 to 40, in excellent condition. They were bought new and stored in

An Australian M1A2 SEP v3 main battle tank at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

Letters to the Editor

Are Tanks Obsolete?

05/06/2025 Bruce Cameron 408 Views 0 Comments

A video is circulating, the proposition of which is that the tank is dead. Drones and anti-tank missiles, coupled with

Aviators from 2 and 29 Squadrons form both an honour guard and bearer party for the late Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear in Mornington, Tasmania. Story by Flying Officer Matthew Dawson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF honours WWII veteran, community stalwart

04/06/202514/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 756 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Squadron, No. 29 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant (retd) Brian Winspear, who died aged 104, has been remembered for his distinguished wartime service, post-war contributions to

Veterans of 1 Commando Company surround a newly unveiled plinth commemorating the officers commanding of the unit. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Permanent commando memorial unveiled

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 828 Views 0 Comments 1st Commando Company, Chief of Army

A permanent memorial to the leaders of 1 Commando Company has been dedicated at the site of the unit’s original

Australian Army soldiers form a Bearer Party outside St George's Cathedral in Perth to carry Arthur Leggett's casket inside for his State Funeral. From left, WO1 Ian Hallt, WO1 Brad Foster and WO1 Bruce Williams. Story by Captain Alasdair Dolan. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

State Funeral honours veteran of WWII

30/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1502 Views 1 Comment 11th/28th Battalion, 13th Brigade, Chief of Army, WWII

The City of Perth stood still on the morning of Saturday May 10, to honour a fallen hero who, while

Deputy Surgeon General ADF and Head of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Brigadier Isaac Seidl, presents Sir ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s granddaughter, Diana, with a set of miniature medals. Story by Michael Hoare.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family of war-time hero receives replica medals

30/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 798 Views 0 Comments Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, WWII

A new set of Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s war medals has been presented to his family after burglars stole

Extensions are planned for the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial to honour contemporary campaigns. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Extension for gunners’ national memorial

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1609 Views 1 Comment Royal Australian Artillery

Plans are under way to extend the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) National Memorial to recognise the service and sacrifice of

May 18 marks five years since the commissioning of HMAS Sydney V – Able Seaman Harley Orpin has a particular strong affinity to the ship, with an elaborate tattoo of it on his arm. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Five years at sea for HMAS Sydney V

21/05/202525/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1205 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney

May 18 marked five years since HMAS Sydney V was formally brought into service – the first Australian ship since