ADF Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

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

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.

155mm rounds in the field. (Cropped) photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

ADF News

Defence cancels 155mm forging commitment

29/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4086 Views 8 Comments

In a positively-spun statement headlined “Defence’s commitment to domestic manufacturing of large calibre munitions”, the Department of Defence has effectively

Australian Army Soldiers board a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in support of Operation Beech, at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF News

Troops and aircraft deployed to Middle East

22/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 35318 Views 15 Comments Operation Beech

To support Australians seeking to leave the Middle East, Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft have been deployed to the

Head of Military Strategic Plans Major General Colin Karotam talks with defence industry professionals during Exercise Autonomous Warrior 2022 at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, Australian Capital Territory. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

ADF ADF People News

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

08/06/202515/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 613 Views 0 Comments

ADF personnel are recognised for a broad range of skills and contributions across three services in this year’s King’s Birthday

ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Talil, Iraq, 2008. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

ADF News Veterans

NSW to build memorial to contemporary veterans

18/04/202501/05/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1245 Views 0 Comments

New South Wales government has revealed the designs and location for a new war memorial dedicated to honouring the service

Sergeant Matthew Watson and Sapper Daniel Almer from 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron prepare an unexploded ordnance for disposal during Operation Render Safe 25-B Nauru. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.

ADF News Pacific

Sappers helping Nauru to be safe

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1032 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

A team of ADF explosives experts worked with Government of Nauru authorities to dispose of two World War 2-era unexploded

HMAS Sydney departs Darwin on Regional Presence Deployment 25-2. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF Asia News

HMAS Sydney leads Aussie team on Bersama Shield 2025

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1053 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield

HMAS Sydney is leading the Australian charge on Exercise Bersama Shield 2025 as part of Australia’s second regional presence deployment

The Australian Defence Force has selected the F9 pistol as its newest sidearm. Its lightweight design and high-capacity magazine make it a top choice for military use. Photo by Corporal Janet Pan.

ADF News

ADF gets new pistol

04/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3237 Views 0 Comments

With the new F9 sidearm weapon system (F9 SWS) in hand, personnel have begun pulling the trigger on a new

A RAAF F-35 Lightning II does a flypast during the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, Victoria. Photo by John Jennings.

ADF News Royal Australian Air Force

Australian International Air Show 2025 wrapped up

01/04/202504/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1991 Views 2 Comments

Chief of Air Force has praised the support of Royal Australian Air Force personnel who contributed to a hugely successful

Retired Australian Army combat assault dogs Aslan, left, and Manic, of the 2nd Commando Regiment, receive the inaugural Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF ADF People Veterans

Commando canines honoured for service

28/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1821 Views 0 Comments 2nd Commando Regiment, Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award, aww, Dogs of Valour, Middle East Region, Military Working Dogs, Purple Popply Day, Service Dogs

A retired combat assault dog named Manic, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Iraq, received a new award

Major Liz Daly competes for the ball during the wheelchair rugby competition at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photo by WOFF Ricky Fuller.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 6: Wheelchair rugby builds international links

18/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 620 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Wheelchair rugby and international relationships were the real winners on day six of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. CAPTION: Major Liz

Katie Chapman, Alana Blackman, Cindy ChawnTyler-Marie Gray and Buffy Little psyche up before the Anzac women's snowboarding competition during Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Warrant Officer Ricky Fuller.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Day 5: Anzac spirit alive at Whistler

14/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1351 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

We’ve fought side-by-side, laughed together and constantly sledged each other. CAPTION: Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Team Australia competitor Katie