Australian Archives - CONTACT magazine

Aussie tanks arrive in Ukraine

20/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 504 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine

The transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been completed.

Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific on display during an award ceremony at the Navy Capability Centre – Henderson, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

ADF News Pacific

New medal for Indo-Pacific service

18/07/202518/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1194 Views 0 Comments

Approximately 150 personnel of ship’s company of HMAS Stuart are among the first in the nation to receive the Australian

Executive Officer of 2 Security Forces Squadron, Squadron Leader Tai Kohn, has her head shaved after the squadron completed 3521 laps around the RAAF Base Amberley running track to raise funds to fight ovarian cancer. Story by Corporal Sam Price. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Squadron runs laps for cancer battle

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 782 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Donations are still open for a 2 Security Forces Squadron fundraiser to support a member undergoing her second round of

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a trench clearance, supported by 2nd Cavalry Regiment M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, as part of Exercise Brolga Sprint at Townsville Field Training Area, Qld. Story by Captain Brittany Evans. Photo by Private Jessica Gray.

Australian Army News

3rd Brigade sprints ahead

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 695 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 3rd Brigade, Exercise Brolga Sprint, Exercises North Queensland Warfighter

Exercises North Queensland Warfighter and Brolga Sprint have showcased the transformation of Army’s Armoured Brigade, bringing 3500 soldiers, officers and

Regional Maintenance Provider - East representative Chris Gaskin, Veolia representative Linda Gater and Regional Maintenance Centre - East representative Cris Cicuta, at Fleet Base East, Sydney. Story by Captain David Sippel. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Smart solution for Garden Island drains

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 473 Views 0 Comments Garden Island

A collaborative trial has tackled an ongoing drainage issue at the Captain Cook Graving Dock (CCGD) at Sydney’s Garden Island,

Personnel from the French Armed Forces and Australian Army embark HMAS Choules in Townsville, Queensland, in preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy Talisman Sabre

Amphibious forces embark for Talisman Sabre 2025

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 768 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, French Armed Forces, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Choules

Preparing for the embarkation and transportation of hundreds of people is no easy task, but for the Australian Amphibious Force

United States Army paratroopers from the 11th Airborne Division conduct a night airborne insertion from a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III over Charters Towers. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Allied paratroopers own the night

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 614 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Exercise Talisman Sabre, French Armed Forces, German Army, Joint Forcible Entry Operation (JFEO), US Army

Three-hundred-and-thirty-five US paratroopers dropped into Charters Towers under the cover of night, exploiting allied night vision capabilities to launch a

Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force personnel work together to refuel a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft using Sustainable Aviation Fuel at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, prior to the commencement of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Story by Cleo Arya. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Neil Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Flying clean at Talisman Sabre 2025

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 362 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

As Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) ramps up across Australia, the skies above Queensland have marked a new milestone in

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Navy diver breaks own record in search of wreck

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 470 Views 1 Comment

A Navy clearance diver has completed a record-breaking dive to lay eyes on a wreck that had not been visited

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.

Australian Army News Veterans

Norden VC investiture ceremony

15/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1336 Views 1 Comment

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 942 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 1317 Views 1 Comment 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 925 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 444 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 350 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 937 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.