News Archives - CONTACT magazine

Governor General Sam Mostyn congratulates Robynn Freeman, widow of Private Richard Norden, after presenting her with her husband's Victoria Cross for Australia. Mrs Freeman is flanked by her and Richard's sons, Scott and Shane. Photos by Paul Berry.

Norden VC investiture ceremony

15/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 430 Views 0 Comments

The Victoria Cross for Australia was formally presented to the family of the late Private Richard Norden today, in recognition

Unveiling of a commemorative artwork at Sikorsky Australia's Nowra facility marks the 50,000 flying hours and 10 years of service achieved for Australia’s MH-60R Romeo. Story by Chloe Mackrell. Photos from Lockheed Martin Australia.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

MH-60R Romeo passes 50,000 flying hours

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 364 Views 0 Comments Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), HMAS Albatross, MH-60R Seahawk, Sikorsky

Navy’s fleet of MH-60R Romeo helicopters has passed 50,000 flying hours and 10 years of service, a major milestone for

An Australian Army soldier from Battle Group Ram conducts a trench assault during the South Queensland Warfighter Exercise in preparation for Talisman Sabre. Story by Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Rickey. Photos by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Australian Army News

Who adapts wins – Chief of Army’s plan for victory

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 394 Views 0 Comments Chief of Army, Exercise Regional Warfighter, Exercise Talisman Sabre, HIMARS

The Australian Army is undergoing a major phase of adaptation and proof of the transformation to the Army of 2030

Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore is welcomed on board HMAS Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney hosts Carrier Strike Group Commodore

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 372 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, HMAS Sydney, Operation Highmast, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy

HMAS Sydney has welcomed the Commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore, on

Australian Army News

Persistent presence at long range

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 231 Views 0 Comments 20th Regiment RAA, Exercise Talisman Sabre, RQ-21 TUAS, Shoalwater Bay Training Area

In the skies above Shoalwater Bay, a lone aerial vehicle glides over rugged terrain, camera payload trained on the scrub

A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 aircraft lands on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra off the coast of Queensland. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Royal Australian Navy

Canberra’s crew tested for Talisman Sabre

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 194 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Maritime Operational Health Unit, Sea Training Group

‘Beep, beep, beep’ booms through the ship’s intercom system, also known as a pipe, as a voice calls out “brace

A Japanese Ground Self Defence Force Chū-SAM Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system fires during a combined joint live-fire exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF News

Ex Talisman Sabre 2025 officially launched

14/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 506 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, officially commenced today following an opening ceremony on board HMAS Adelaide.

Australian Army Leopard AS1 tank is presented by Colonel Michael King and Lieutenant Michael Henderson of the Australian Army to Lieutenant General Sir William Rollo and Chris Pearce of the Tank Museum, United Kingdom. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photos supplied.

Australian Army News UK

Australian tank on display at British museum

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1697 Views 0 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment, Leopard main battle tank, School of Armour

An Australian Army Leopard AS1 tank has been donated by the Australian Defence Force to the British National Tank Museum

RAAF Base Richmond, a major hub for Air Force operations, marks its centenary this year. Photo by Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Richmond marks centenary as NSW’s biggest airbase

11/07/202513/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 833 Views 0 Comments RAAF Richmond

The Royal Australian Air Force marked the 100th birthday of RAAF Base Richmond on June 30, celebrating the oldest RAAF

Australian Army officer Major Liam Clarke, from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, and Papua New Guinea Defence Force officer Captain Cyril Gerari, from Igam Barracks Engineer Battalion, on Exercise Puk Puk, in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Australian Army News Pacific

Brothers in arms and construction in PNG

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 668 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Exercise Puk Puk, PNG

Combat engineers from five nations executed four major and two minor projects in eight weeks during Exercise Puk Puk in

Wing Commander Tanya Evans with Warrant Officer (retd) George Hatchman, from the 23 Squadron Association, at the unveiling of RAAF Base Amberley's 85th Anniversary plaque. Story by Corporal Brett Sherriff. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Amberley celebrates 85th anniversary

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 436 Views 0 Comments RAAF Amberley

RAAF Base Amberley personnel celebrated the 85th anniversary of flying operations on-site by unveiling a plaque on June 17. CAPTION: Wing

Army vehicle technician Corporal Jacob Sofia inspects the engine of an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle during Exercise Eagle March at the Townsville Field Training Area. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Australian Army

Heavy responsibility to keep armour rolling

11/07/202513/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 401 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, ASLAV

Putting a spanner in the works usually means trouble – but for a vehicle technician, it just means getting the

For the crew of HMAS Sydney, Uckers is a traditional game that parallels the journey of the ship during its regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF People Competitions Royal Australian Navy

“What the uck?” – HMAS Sydney revives old board game

11/07/202513/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 297 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney

“Want to uck?” might be an alarming phrase the first time someone hears it, but in HMAS Sydney, it’s an

Soldiers from Land Warfare College participate in the 2025 Canungra Combat Challenge alongside civilian teams to raise money for Legacy. Story by Major Dan Mazurek. Photo by Sergeant Lisa Stone.

Australian Army News

Canungra challenge raises $110,000 for Legacy

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 350 Views 0 Comments Canungra Combat Challenge, Kokoda Barracks, Land Warfare College, Legacy

At 6.30am, the June air was quite frosty at the starting line high up in the Queensland hinterland, but the

The latest cohort of Royal Australian Air Force pilots graduate from 76 Squadron Introductory Fighter Course at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Ten out of 10 for fast-jet pilot training

11/07/202513/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 426 Views 0 Comments Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter, Introductory Fighter Course (IFC), No. 76 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown

A full cohort of pilots has graduated from the challenging Introductory Fighter Course (IFC) at 76 Squadron for the first

Battlegroup Warhorse Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle, from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), during the South Queensland Warfighter Exercise at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland. Story by Major Martin Hadley. Photos by Corporal Johnny Huang.

Australian Army News

Battlegroup Warhorse tests brigade’s mettle

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 362 Views 1 Comment 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), 7th Brigade, Boxer CRV, Shoalwater Bay Training Area

Army’s 7th Brigade faced a well-trained and lethally armed ‘enemy’ during its South Queensland Warfighter Exercise at Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay

Major Andrew Penhaligon, 133rd Battery Commander, 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, receives the battery flag from former battery commander, Major Allan Harrison (Retired), during the Regiments Locating Artillery Centenary Parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Story by Major Carolyn Barnett. Photo by Leading Aircraftsman Luke Donegal.

Australian Army History News

Regiment marks historic milestones

11/07/202511/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 252 Views 0 Comments 20th Regiment RAA, Gallipoli Barracks

The 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (20 Regt RAA), marked four milestones in a ceremonial parade last month at Gallipoli

Missile Maintenance Facility Amberley and US government personnel celebrate the completion of a milestone for a training missile maintenance activity at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Evan Ho.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Milestone for training missile maintenance

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 234 Views 0 Comments AMRAAM, HARM/AARGM, Missile Maintenance Facility Amberley (MMFA), RAAF Amberley, Sidewinder

Australia’s training missile maintenance capability has reached a great milestone. CAPTION: Missile Maintenance Facility Amberley and US government personnel celebrate the