Royal Australian Air Force – CONTACT magazine

An F-35A Lightning II from 77 Squadron takes off from RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland, during Exercise Black Dagger 25-2. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

JTAC trainees take aim

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 395 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Dagger, F-35A Lightning II, JTAC, No. 4 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Townsville

Australia’s close air support capability was put to the test during Exercise Black Dagger 2025-2, which brought together air and

Personnel from 1 Security Forces Squadron engage in a Simulated Environment Training System training mission at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Squadron Leader Bettina Mears. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Jacob Lloyd.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Reality bytes in simulation trial

26/11/202530/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 497 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Base Williamtown

A high-fidelity training system is being trialled to support Royal Australian Air Force’s security force squadrons. CAPTION: Personnel from 1

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell presents 101-year-old Air Force veteran Charles Reif with an Aussie Hero Quilt. Story by Elise Monge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rodney Welch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

A lifetime of dedication to country and service

25/11/202525/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 399 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, Chief of Air Force

When Charles Reif enlisted in the Air Force in 1946 at 22 years old as an aircraftman electrical mechanic, he

MQ-4C Triton pilot Flight Lieutenant Ariel White with 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

From dreams to duty

25/11/202530/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 549 Views 0 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Tindal

For Flight Lieutenant Ariel White, a typical day as an air vehicle pilot at 9 Squadron means helping shape the

Three Royal Australian Air Force MQ-4C Triton aircraft on the taxiway at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

9 Squadron’s all-seeing unseen new role

25/11/202530/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 838 Views 0 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, Northrop Grumman Australia, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Tindal, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

In June 2023, 9 Squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Edinburgh (with a detachment at RAAF Base Tindal) to operate

Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Wing Commander Richard Brougham presents a 100 Squadron challenge coin to James Birt. Story and photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Connecting then and now

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 792 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, WWII

It’s been more than 80 years since James Birt was defending our nation in World War 2, yet he can

The Colour Party presents the 9 Squadron Standard as a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter conducts a flyover at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide to mark the squadron’s reformation. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

9 Squadron flies again

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4575 Views 4 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron

9 Squadron has officially reformed, marking its proud return to Air Force service with a ceremony at Torrens Parade Ground,

Air Mobility Training and Development Unit personnel gather for a group photo at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Sixty years of developing and delivering

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 493 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), RAAF Richmond

Current and past members of Air Mobility Training and Development Unit (AMTDU) came together at RAAF Base Richmond recently to

Frozen blood products can support ADF health clinicians to deliver trauma care in challenging and harsh environments. Story by Michelle Hoare. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Frozen blood a lifesaver on the battlefield

19/11/202519/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 656 Views 0 Comments Joint Health Command

If a soldier is injured on the battlefield and urgently needs blood, fast access to blood products could mean the

Director-General of Security Mike Burgess.

ADF Australian Army Cyber News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Defending Australians against espionage

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 661 Views 0 Comments

The ADF remains a prime target for foreign intelligence services, according to Australia’s security service. CAPTION: Director-General of Security Mike

Aviators from RAAF Base Pearce take part in the inaugural Goggins’ Challenge, raising $7400 for mental health. Story by Flying Officer Stina Frantzich Gardiner. Photo by Sergeant Joshua Mulligan.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Aviators raise $7400 for mental health

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 593 Views 0 Comments 2 Flying Training School, mental health, No 79 Squadron, No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, No. 25 Squadron

RAAF Base Pearce personnel have gone the distance for mental health, raising $7400 in 48 hours for the Black Dog

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Joint training boosts air crash response

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 502 Views 0 Comments Air Force Test Ranges Squadron (AFTRSQN), No. 34 Squadron, RAAF Woomera

Air Force Test Ranges Squadron (AFTRSQN) and 34 Squadron have completed a joint emergency response exercise at RAAF Base Woomera

A Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16C takes off at RAAF Base Pearce. Story and photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Singapore amps up fast jets in WA

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 603 Views 1 Comment Extended Fighter Detachment (EFD), RAAF Pearce, Republic of Singapore Air Force

Four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C jets shared the skies over RAAF Base Pearce during their recent Extended

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes supporters

14/11/202516/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 583 Views 0 Comments RAAF Williamtown

RAAF Base Williamtown, 77 Squadron and 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) have hosted a family day in recognition of the

Air Force Chaplain Wing Commander Wayne Ross uses the new RAAF Welfare Trust Fund website at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Wing Commander Michael Rowe. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson

News Royal Australian Air Force

Fast financial support for aviators

14/11/202514/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 442 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, RAAF Welfare Trust Fund (RWTF)

For Air Force, 1989 was a busy year. Transport squadrons were stretched, flying more than 6500 hours to move over

1 Space Surveillance Unit’s Commercial Data Mission Centre delivers its first international Joint Commercial Operations-200 training course. Story by Major John Yialeloglou.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

ADF delivers first international space course

12/11/202512/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 582 Views 0 Comments Joint Commercial Operations (JCO-AUS), No.1 Space Surveillance Unit (1SSU)

1 Space Surveillance Unit’s Commercial Data Mission Centre has delivered its first international Joint Commercial Operations-200 (JCO-200) course. CAPTION: 1

Defence Cooperation Program qualified flying instructor Squadron Leader Cory Fischer and PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing Second Lieutenant Rothman Spaiye flying a PNG Defence Force PAC-750XL. Story by Squadron Leader Belinda Culley. Photo by Squadron Leader Cory Fischer.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF aviators strengthen PNG partnership

12/11/202512/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 852 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group, Air Mobility Group (AMG), C-27J Spartan, Defence Cooperation Program, Defence Pacific Assistance Program (DPAP)

In a display of regional cooperation and capability enhancement, RAAF 35 Squadron’s C-27J Spartan aircraft continues supporting the long-standing Defence