News Archives - CONTACT magazine

Squadron Leader Anthony Rengel receives handover from the 77th ANARE medical practitioner Dr Peter Rizzo near the RSV Nuyina and local Adelie penguins.

The doctor is in the ice house

19/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 128 Views 0 Comments Antarctica, Mawson Station, Operation Southern Discovery, RSV Nuyina

Squadron Leader Anthony Rengel’s inspiration to spend a year in Antarctica came from a relative who worked at Mawson station

The new ADF bible, supplied by the Bible Society Australia, at the launch ceremony at Russell Offices in Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

A new source of light for the ADF

19/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 131 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, WWI

Two large shells exploded near Lance Corporal Phillip Davies while he was digging in telephone cables at Messines Ridge during

From left, Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, Seaman Deborah Kwon, Private Danielle Collier and Brigadier Jason Groat cut the cakes to celebrate the 124th birthday of Navy and Army.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Services ring in birthdays at carillon

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 356 Views 0 Comments

Military Personnel Division celebrated the 124th birthday of Navy and Army at the National Carillon in Canberra last week. CAPTION: From

MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel Deleur shows Craftsmen Edward Viney and Dylan Mountain things people have made, during a site induction at the MakerSpace on Robertson Barracks. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

MakerSpace solves big problems with clever ideas

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 377 Views 0 Comments 3d Printer, MakerSpace, Robertson Barracks

Tucked away on Robertson Barracks lies a workshop that hums with creativity, problem-solving and quiet ingenuity. CAPTION: MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel

Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt in Exmouth, Western Australia. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Navy

A look inside Exmouth comms facility ahead of overhaul

18/03/202519/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 449 Views 0 Comments Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt, Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare

Work is under way to overhaul a kilometres-wide and 300-metre-tall transmitter array in the remote West Australian town of Exmouth.

An Army staff cadet from the RMC - Duntroon during Exercise Shaggy Ridge at Majura Training Area, ACT. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Corporal Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Videos

Exercise pushes staff cadets’ limits

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 326 Views 0 Comments Army Cadets, Exercise Shaggy Ridge, Royal Military College-Duntroon (RMC-D)

Restricted food, sleep and limited feedback are what staff cadets from Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) experienced on Exercise

Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Jure Plestina observes a vessel from a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft during a coordinated maritime domain awareness activity in the South China Sea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos: byCorporal Emma Schwenke.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Freedom of navigation mission protects Indo-Pacific

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 214 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Exercising Australia’s freedom of navigation, the Royal Australian Air Force successfully completed maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region under

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 544 Views 1 Comment 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 912 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

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, talks with Queensland State Emergency Service officers about assisting Hervey Bay residents in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Gabriel Argent.

Australian Army News

Flood clean-up reaffirms Defence ties

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 807 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The community of Hervey Bay has strong Defence connections. CAPTION: Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian

Australian Army soldiers from 7th Combat Brigade conduct preparations at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Australian Army News

Support for Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 844 Views 0 Comments Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency authorities in Queensland and

Able Seaman Bharatkumar (Brett) Thumar, left, and Leading Seaman Chris Hughes reunite with Liz Cummings for the first time since providing first aid to her in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Allan Bruty. Photo by Petty Officer James Whittle.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Sailors save the day with first aid

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 567 Views 0 Comments

A routine run for three sailors in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens turned into a real-life first aid exercise, after they

Members of 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment meet Commander 11 Brigade, Brigadier Richard Peace, at Redlands City Council Local Government Area while supporting the local community affected by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cath Batch. Photo by Ed Cousins.

Australian Army News

Troops wade in to help after cyclone

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 337 Views 0 Comments 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

Soldiers from 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and 11 Brigade deployed across south-east Queensland with high-clearance vehicles to support the response

HMAS Brisbane is one of the Hobart-class destroyers in the fleet. Photo by Petty Officer Yuri Ramsey.

News Royal Australian Navy

$200million for new navy radio network

13/03/202513/03/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 854 Views 0 Comments

Communication systems on Royal Australian Navy ships will be upgraded under a $200million program with Boeing Defence Australia. FILE PHOTO:

Australian Army officer Brigadier Damian Hill presents Lance Bombardier Joshua Burke with an engraved watch in recognition of the Mattner Award. Story by Major Tim Sydenham. Photo by Signals Aaron Thant.

ADF People Australian Army

Artillery award a nice surprise for gunner

11/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1275 Views 0 Comments NASAMS, Royal Australian Artillery

This year’s recipient of the Royal Australian Artillery’s Mattner Award had no idea he had been nominated. CAPTION: Australian Army officer

Australian Army soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, departing Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of the Australian Defence Force response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo by Corporal Janet Pam.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Updates as of 11 March 2025 Support for Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred

11/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 865 Views 0 Comments Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency authorities in Queensland and

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Updates 9 March 2025 – People’s Liberation Army–Navy vessels operating near Australia

11/03/202511/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1990 Views 0 Comments

People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class