News – CONTACT magazine

Army’s new AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer fires during training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Photos by Belinda Dinami.

Huntsman firing marks milestone

For the first time, Australian soldiers fired the cutting-edge AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on Australian soil on December 1,

Flight Lieutenants Alyssa Vickridge and Sophie Lanson, Wing Commander Lauren Guest, Flight Lieutenants Harriette Parker and Sharlene Huiskes, with Flying Officer Bun Tang, after the cyclone. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Base Darwin stands firm against Fina

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 128 Views 0 Comments cyclone, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

Not since Cyclone Tracy in 1974 has a weather event as severe as Tropical Cyclone Fina impacted the Darwin coastline

A relative of Flight Lieutenant Ross Frayne – a World War 2 and Korean War veteran who died in a crash at RAAF Base Mallala in 1955 – places a poppy on a commemorative wreath at the new Air Force memorial at the South Australian Aviation Museum. Story by Group Captain Greg Weller.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force commemorates peacetime sacrifice

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 188 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Aviation Museum

Attendees gathered at the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) to witness the Dedication and Inaugural Commemorative Service of a new

HMAS Canberra crew are joined by families and guests on the flight deck for a whole ship photo off the NSW coast. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

News Royal Australian Navy

All aboard for Defence families

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 171 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra

HMAS Canberra played host to more than 300 family members and guests for a rare weekend at sea, off the coast of

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

HIMARS proves to be shipshape

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 313 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Fleet Base East, HIMARS, HMAS Canberra

It’s not the normal place you would expect to find Army’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), but it turns

Medical personnel from the ADF, British Armed Forces and New Zealand Defence Force outside the refurbished medical facility at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Modernised medical centre reopens at Camp Baird

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 261 Views 0 Comments Camp Baird, Middle East

Headquarters Middle East (HQME) has reopened a state-of-the-art medical facility at Camp Baird, Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB), the United

HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers sail into Darwin Harbour for the final time. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez Jr.

News Royal Australian Navy

The last run of the Armidales

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 331 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Sailing into Darwin Harbour on a sunny day with smooth seas, the last of the Armidale-class patrol boats – HMA

An Edge 130 drone lifts off from HMAS Cape Pillar’s forecastle.

News Royal Australian Navy

Cutting-edge drone tech expands patrol boat reach

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 308 Views 0 Comments

The Royal Australian Navy has marked a significant milestone in maritime innovation with the successful first-of-class trials of the Edge

Australian and Philippine soldiers operate Zodiac inflatable boats as part of small boats and coastal defence training during Exercise Kasangga. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

Asia Australian Army News

Small boats, big connections

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 462 Views 0 Comments 5th/7th Battalion RAR, Exercise Kasangga, Philippines

Three Zodiac boats full of Australian and Filipino soldiers landed on a rocky outcrop down the coast from a fortified

Plastic fabricators from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard instruct Royal Australian Navy personnel at HMAS Stirling’s Fleet Support Unit in WA. Story by Lieutenant Mark Tesoriero. Photo by Leading Seaman Shaun Chatfield.

AUKUS News Royal Australian Navy

Technicians build trust during submarine upkeep

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 676 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, Nuclear Powered Submarines

A group of Royal Australian Navy technicians are putting their training into practice, supporting maintenance on the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine

International partners train with Samoan Emergency Services and Police during Exercise Pacific Partnership in Samoa. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Pacific

The best prepare for the worst

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 460 Views 0 Comments Headquarters 1st (Australian) Division, Samoa

Regional cooperation and disaster-response capability received a boost during the latest iteration of Exercise Pacific Partnership, held in Samoa. CAPTION: