CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - Page 4 of 71

An M1A2 Abrams tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 14 November 2024. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Army’s Tank Numbers: A Revolving Dance Card

18/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 1513 Views 0 Comments

In terms of the standard organisation, a tank regiment comprises three sabre (fighting) squadrons, each squadron comprises four troops of

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1425 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events

Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Johansen stands alongside his wife, Michelle, after being presented the Federation Star clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal for 40 years of service, at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. Story by Captain Nigel Jacobs. Photo by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Australian Army History

Four decades of dedication to Army

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2429 Views 1 Comment Army Reserve, Federation Star, Gallipoli Barracks

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kim Johansen has trained and mentored young soldiers and officers, in Australia and overseas, for

Air Force Cricket's Anzac Day 2022 team line up before the match in Bowral. Story by Wing Commander Deanna Nott.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force Cricket a binding tradition

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1143 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport

Flight Sergeant Ian Smith has swung a bat for Air Force Cricket for nearly two decades, and this Anzac Day

Photo of William Henry Belpitt in 1886. Source: USN Memorial Foundation

Lest We Forget Veterans

A BARE PATCH OF GROUND

17/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 990 Views 0 Comments

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were hundreds, if not thousands of carefree Australian larrikins craving adventure.

An Australian light-armoured vehicle (ASLAV) negotiates a creek crossing during an exercise at Jungle Training Wing, Tully, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Army Scraps Second Armoured Squadron

17/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 712 Views 1 Comment

I mentioned on 5 April that a squadron of tanks has been removed from Army’s order of battle. It is

Veteran Terry Conner, of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, at the Meritorious Unit Citation parade for the units' service in Somalia, held at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

1RAR recognised for Somalia operation

16/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1430 Views 3 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Solace, Somalia

Stepping on to the streets of Baidoa, Somalia, was like stepping into a different world for newly promoted Corporal Terry

Chaplains from six different nations of the South Pacific lay wreaths at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Faith in the face of modern conflict

15/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 717 Views 0 Comments Chaplains

Spiritual fitness can be a good defence against the chaos of war. CAPTION: Chaplains from six different nations of the South

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland. Photo by Private Jacob Hilton.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Ongoing Campaign to Return 1 Armd Regt to it’s Combat Role

14/04/202517/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 557 Views 0 Comments 1 Armd Regt

“The M1A2 SEPv3 will upgrade the current Australian fleet of M1A1 SA tanks with no changes to Royal Australian Armoured

Lest We Forget

Cooktown Airfield 1942, Ops Base 27 and a Story Worth the Telling.

12/04/202517/04/2025 Geoff Clarke 1198 Views 2 Comments

He left school in grade three to go to work with his father on the bullock wagons pulling huge logs

A newly acquired M1A2 Abrams main battle tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor Veterans

Many problems hindering 3 Brigade’s new roles

11/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 1137 Views 0 Comments 1 Armd Regt

Defence Press Release, 28 September 2023… “The 3rd Brigade, based in Townsville, will be an armoured combat brigade.” The Defence

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in Puslatpur, Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor News

Army Cut Back – Why?

05/04/202505/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 2257 Views 3 Comments

Army has recently removed a squadron of tanks from its order of battle; no reason has been offered. FILE PHOTO

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 1st Armoured Regiment, drives through the Cultana Training Area, SA during Exercise Rhino Run 24. Photo by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

The Unjust Treatment of 1st Armoured Regiment: Who Should Apologise?

30/03/202530/03/2025 Bruce Cameron 1063 Views 0 Comments

FILE PHOTO (May 2024): An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 1st Armoured Regiment, drives through the

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet lands at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Salute to 15 years of Super Hornet combat excellence

26/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1519 Views 1 Comment Australian International Airshow, F/A-18F Super Hornet

Fifteen years have flown by since the Royal Australian Air Force welcomed a game-changing addition to its air combat fleet—the

Warrant Office of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, Gary Walsh, Rodney Ticler, David Gardner, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell at the unveiling of the restored P-40E Kittyhawk. Story by Squadron Leader Richard Briedis. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scot.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF restores Ming the Merciless

26/03/202505/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1074 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Chief of Air Force, RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Bringing a World War II aircraft back to life is a labour of love – especially when that aircraft’s namesake

Commanding Officer HMAS Encounter Commander Tony Ryder presents veteran Able Seaman Colin Cherry with his medals for naval service during the Korean War, surrounded by Lieutenant Commander Gavin Colgan, Petty Officer Warren Sanders and Leading Seaman Dylan Sanders.

ADF People History

Separated by decades, connected by Korea

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1027 Views 0 Comments HMAS Encounter, HMAS Sydney III, Korean War

After more than seven decades, 92-year-old veteran Able Seaman Colin Cherry received his medals for service in HMAS Sydney III

RAAF musician Corporal Robert Scott plays the bagpipes during the Anzac Day dawn service in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Flight Sergeant Vicki Shelley. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Pack your bagpipes, tour the world

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 911 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

In 2015 Corporal Rob Scott was studying at the Conservatoire de Versailles, only a few hundred metres as the crow

1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams tanks in Puslatpur, Indonesia, during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor Veterans

The Bond Formed by Tank Crews

16/03/2025 Bruce Cameron 1801 Views 3 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment

Admiral Johnston, the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), graduated as a naval officer in 1982. His career has involved

Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving Mr Watkins' life, and receive a tour of the ship while alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Training saves life of tourist in trouble

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1413 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

“Without their help … I wouldn’t be here.” CAPTION: Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving

d guests attend the HMAS Perth I memorial foundation ceremony, commemorating the Battle of Saunda Strait, at Training Ship Perth in Fremantle, WA. Story by Petty Officer Keigan Gunther. Photos by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth I Memorial unveiled

07/03/202511/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1401 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, WWII

The HMAS Perth I memorial was inaugurated in East Fremantle recently by the Governor of Western Australia Chris Dawson and