CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - Page 49 of 70

An F-35 JSF heads for the sheds at RAAF Base Williamtown. Original photo by Brian Hartigan.

All-weather-aircraft training cancelled because of weather

28/01/202128/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2333 Views 3 Comments

The F-35A Lightning II aircraft diversion training into Canberra Airport planned to occur at approximately 2pm today has been cancelled.

Words of wisdom are offered by an instructor to Special Air Service Regiment aspirants during selection. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Leigh Cameron.

Letters to the Editor

What happened to the innocent SAS

25/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2381 Views 0 Comments

Can anybody tell me what happened or will happen to the innocent guys from 2 Squadron SASR which has now been disbanded?

30th anniversary Op Desert Storm

18/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2524 Views 0 Comments

AWM has marked the 30th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm, the military response to Iraq’s illegal occupation of Kuwait.

Last year was an unprecedented year with bushfires and a global pandemic, but the ADF was up to the challenge of supporting Australia, while continuing its core role. Photo by Leading Seaman Kieran Dempsey.

ADF Australian History News Operations Overseas

ADF up to the challenges of 2020

12/01/202112/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2821 Views 0 Comments

Last year was difficult and disruptive for our nation and was a defining year for Defence. FILE PHOTO: By Leading Seaman

ADF personnel in the Middle East prepare a load of COVID-19 test kits for delivery to Afghanistan. Photo by Sergeant Ben Dempster.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Middle East Science & Technology

COVID-19 test kits sent to NATO operation

10/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2016 Views 0 Comments

About 200 COVID-19 test kits were sent to Kabul for use by coalition forces following a spike in coronavirus cases

ADF cyclist Major Paul Watson placed 5th in the hill climb event held as part of the Australian Parliament Sports Club’s Recognition Sports Festival.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Sporting chance to honour those on front line

09/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1416 Views 0 Comments

ADF members last month took part in a sports festival that honoured all those who have been on the front

Mascot of the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion Corporal Toby Tebiass. Photo by Sergeant Gayle Walkom.

ADF Australian Army History

Weighty issue for mascot

06/01/202123/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2336 Views 0 Comments

In the year of social distancing and working from home, 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion’s mascot Corporal Toby Tebiass faced

Major John Whipp, back right, supervises close combat drills with soldiers from the 7th Combat Brigade during his visit to the Gallipoli Barracks Combatives Centre, Brisbane. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History

Old-school moves make a comeback

06/01/202106/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1976 Views 0 Comments

Soldiers from 7th Combat Brigade training on the Army Combatives Program were shown how hand-to-hand combat was done in the

Kay Danes with fellow speaker Alan Jones and her husband, former SAS Warrant Officer Kerry Danes. Photo supplied.

Health and Wellbeing Thought provoking

Stand tall for ADF PTS reform

06/01/202106/01/2021 Dr Kay Danes, OAM 2327 Views 0 Comments

The following is a keynote address given by Dr Kay Danes at the launch of a ‘Stand Tall for PTS’

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon supports sea trials for NUSHIP (now HMAS) Hobart in the Gulf St Vincent off the coast of Adelaide. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

Royal Australian Air Force Thought provoking Videos

What we don’t know about P-8A Poseidon is somehow comforting

06/01/202106/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4312 Views 1 Comment

The government recently announced that it was buying two extra P-8A Poseidon long-range, armed, maritime search, reconnaissance (and attack) aircraft

Editor's Blog News

HOLY COW – What a year!!!

01/01/202102/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2802 Views 0 Comments

HOLY COW!!! What a year – and I’m not even talking about COVID-19 or bushfires! 2020 was CONTACT’s best year ever for audience engagement.

Australia Day, 2000, Dili, East Timor, watching backyard cricket. Photo by Corporal Brian Hartigan.

Letters to the Editor

Err

27/12/202027/12/2020 David 2629 Views 0 Comments

Not sure your choice of photo in The Christmas Turkey and cropping female bum (Suggested) is the best choice you

Chief Petty Officer Kieth Ralston as Santa hands out presents to children at Carols by the Bay at HMAS Watson, Sydney. Photo by Able Seaman Shane Cameron.

Editor's Blog

Happy Christmas me arse

25/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1264 Views 0 Comments

Merry Christmas all CONTACT fans

Aussie soldiers in New Guinea during World War II

History

Christmas Ghost

21/12/202021/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2052 Views 0 Comments By Richard Davies

Stand to! My fox hole mate is shaking me, Tearing me away from my wife’s arms, I wake with a

Former SASR Sergeant Troy Simmonds – who's story was front-cover worthy in CONTACT magazine issue 45 – said on Facebook this week he was "Proud to have been a member of 2 Squadron, Australian Special Air Service Regiment. Group pic whilst in role of Counter Terrorism team for the 2000 Olympics (me front row 4th from left). Now sadly disbanded due to as yet unproven allegations made against a small group in 2012. Thoughts go out to the hundreds of proud 2 SQN Vets since the 1960s who had nothing to do with these allegations and are deeply saddened and hurt by the dishonorable disbanding of their old Squadron".

Australian Australian Army Editor's Blog News

2 Squadron SASR struck off – secretly

17/12/202017/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 18450 Views 44 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

2 Squadron SASR has been struck off Army’s Order of Battle – in secret, despite CDF’s ‘clarification’ that due process would precede.

Thought provoking

War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – PART II

17/12/202014/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2687 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

Part II of a two-part essay titled War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – the trial of

Thought provoking

War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – PART I

14/12/202017/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3143 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

Hereafter follows Part I of a two-part essay titled War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – the

Australian Australian Army Thought provoking Veterans

OPINION: PM complicit in attack on the ‘meritorious many’

08/12/202012/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 7973 Views 10 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

I am not an alarmist by nature; but I am a proud Australian veteran with 16 years of service including

Letters to the Editor

FAKE NEWS: Chief’s handing back medals

01/12/202001/12/2020 Terence Tolhurst 1786 Views 1 Comment

In light of a government decision to overturn the intention to strip Special Operations troops of their Meritorious Unit Citations

Australian Australian Army News Thought provoking Veterans

Former RSM SOTG VI says “Stop the revocation of the MUC and the disbanding of 2 Squadron SASR”

30/11/202030/11/2020 Kerry Danes 4532 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

It is time to act now to protect the reputation of the thousands of members of the multiple SOTG rotations who gave Meritorious service.