CONTACT BLOG SPOT – Page 22 – CONTACT magazine

The flags of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Turkiye are held over the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey following the conclusion of the Anzac Day memorial service. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

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

Honouring the Anzac spirit in London – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1705 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, United Kingdom

Large crowds turned out in London for Anzac Day services led by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. CAPTION: The

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Michael Apperley, left, and Paul Longley, right, meet after many years at their unit citation ceremony in HMAS Moreton. Story by Lieutenant Rebecca Williamson. Photos by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

History News Royal Australian Navy

SEQ Navy vets receive Somalia citation at HMAS Moreton

01/05/202401/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1489 Views 0 Comments HMAS Moreton, Meritorious Unit Citation

Six Navy veterans have received the Meritorious Unit Citation, for sustained outstanding service in warlike operation. CAPTION: Michael Apperley, left, and

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Leading Aircraftman Connor Bourn from Australia's Federation Guard participates in the Catafalque Party during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller

ADF People Lest We Forget

Strengthening Anzac and PNG bonds – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1241 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Dawn broke across Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wreath-laying and the playing of the

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Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide an escort of honour at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Anzac Day 2024 commemorations in Story by Sergeant David Said. Photo by Corporal Sam Price.

ADF People Lest We Forget

Anzac Day commemorated in the Philippines – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1628 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Philippines

To commemorate Anzac Day, a dawn service was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Philippines. CAPTION: Personnel

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Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart speaks with Ukrainian soldiers training under Operation Kudu during a visit to the United Kingdom. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

ADF People Australian Army Lest We Forget

Chief of Army visits Aussie troops in England

26/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2056 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Army, Villers-Bretonneux

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart urged Australians across the world to honour the words of the Ode of

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Army soldiers from 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Anzac Day march Brisbane city. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Private Alfred Stauder.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News

Emotional day for personnel, veterans and families – Anzac Day

26/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3267 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, ANZAC Day, Gallipoli Barracks

Members of the Army’s 7th Brigade took part in Anzac Day commemorations in Brisbane to pay their respect to current

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USS Fort McHenry at Naval Station Mayport. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Henderson.

Letters to the Editor

Is USS Fort McHenry in Cairns?

23/04/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2377 Views 0 Comments USS Fort McHenry

Just a question, Why has the US vessel, Fort McHenry LCU 2020 not left Cairns Naval Base since the end

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Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, visits the resting place of her distant cousin, Private Victor Westbrook, at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Sergeant Oliver Carter.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Cousins ‘unite’ in France a century later – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1631 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, AWM, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

As told by Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, to Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook,

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Flying Officer Nathan Peters, of 37 Squadron, in front of a C-130J Hercules during a non-flying period at RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Proud to march on familiar streets – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1552 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, No. 37 Squadron

Flying Officer Nathan Peters, of 37 Squadron, explains why this Anzac Day holds a particular significance for him. (As told

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Australia's Federation Guard members, Corporal Michael Byrne, left, Able Seaman Christopher Innis and Corporal Julie Kling with photos of their relatives at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring past relatives on French soil – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1623 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

Almost 106 years after guns fell silent in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux, one of the descendants of a soldier killed

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Merchant Navy veteran Don Kennedy receives the Merchant Mariners of WW2 Congressional Gold Medal from US Consul General Christine Elder at a ceremony in Sydney, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Merchant Navy veteran honoured – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1168 Views 0 Comments RSL, WWII

In February 1943, 16-year-old Don Kennedy from Manly, NSW, jumped on board the Norwegian tanker MT Seirstad and cruised out

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Navy sailor Able Seaman Rachel Brandt at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family history motivates Defence service – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1215 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, AWM, WWI

A booby trap detonated and collapsed the Bapaume town hall in France on March 25, 1917, killing Lance Corporal Jules

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Four RAAF 100 Squadron Beaufort Bombers head for Wewak, North New Guinea, in 1945. Photo provided by the Australian War Memorial / OG3365

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Missing World War II bomber and crew found

17/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3163 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Royal Australian Air Force has positively identified a 100 Squadron World War II Beaufort aircraft (A9-186), first reported missing in

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Special operations first-aid course participants assess a casualty role-player and prepare for field medical care under the supervision of Australian and American directing staff. (Images have been digitally altered for security purposes.). Story by Major N.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Course builds special forces capability

17/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2588 Views 0 Comments 1st Commando Regiment

1st Commando Regiment completed its inaugural special operations first-aid course recently, to enable special warfare operators to develop the skills

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Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel conduct an urban assault, as part of the Platoon and Company Sergeants Battle Course run by Australian Army soldiers deployed on Operation Kudu in the United Kingdom, March 2024. Image has been digitally altered for security purposes.

Thought provoking

Offer of soup for Ukrainian trainees

15/04/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2302 Views 0 Comments Operation Kudu

Dear Folks. Does anyone have contacts in or with the Operation Kudu folk in the UK (see below reference) or

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Michael ‘Bronco’ Lane (left) and his pal, John “Brummie” Stokes. Photo supplied to HIMALMAN’S WEBLOG by John “Brummie” Stokes.

Lest We Forget Videos

VALE Major Michael ‘Bronco’ Lane (ret’d), ex 22nd SAS, Hereford, UK

15/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4293 Views 0 Comments Michael 'Bronco' Lane

A life of service and unassuming self belief well lived, vale Major Michael ‘Bronco’ Lane, BEM, MM *2 FILE PHOTO:

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An Army medic from 2nd Health Battalion gives emergency medical care to simulated casualties during Exercise Viper Walk. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Intense simulated injuries test medics

27/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2119 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Battalion, Exercise Viper Walk

Screaming casualties pleaded for help as they clutched gunshot wounds. CAPTION: An Army medic from 2nd Health Battalion gives emergency medical

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Former Air Commodore Vin Hill pictured here with retired Air Vice-Marshal and former Deputy Chief of Air Force, Dave Rogers at Vin's home in New Zealand in January 2024. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

VALE: Former Air Commodore Vin Hill

22/03/202409/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2420 Views 0 Comments

One of the Royal Australian Air Force’s last great aviators and true characters died just months shy of his 100th

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Commanding Officer 5th Combat Service Support Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Shaw, and Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Matthew Ryan, lay a wreath as part of the commemoration of the 1954 Stockton Bight Disaster.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Stockton Bight tragedy commemorated

20/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2457 Views 0 Comments 5th Combat Service Support Battalion

Soldiers from the 5th Combat Services Support Battalion (5CSSB), veterans, and community leaders assembled at Fort Scratchley near Newcastle to

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The Cost of Doing Business: Military Aviation Safety in Australia 1914 – 2022, written by Squadron Leader Barrie Bardoe.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

The ‘Cost of Doing Business’ book launched

15/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2138 Views 0 Comments Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA)

A new book tells the story of Australia’s tumultuous path to becoming a global leader in military aviation safety. The

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