Royal Australian Air Force – CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail conducts a flyover in support of Polish Armed Forces Day celebrations during deployment to Operation Kudu in Poland. Story by Captain Karam Louli.

Wedgetail watches NATO’s eastern flank

17/10/202517/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 264 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, NATO, No. 2 Squadron, Operation Kudu, Poland

ADF aviators silently watched Europe’s eastern flank to assist with peace and stability in the region under Operation Kudu, Australia’s

Australian Defence Force candidates complete challenging physical and cognitive activities during the 2025 Special Forces Integrator Selection Course. Story by Major Jacqui Day.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Selection course identifies Special Forces Integrators

17/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 205 Views 0 Comments Special Forces Integrators, Special Operations Command (SOCOMD)

The next generation of Special Forces engineers, medics and signallers were selected to serve in Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) during

Members of the Defence Force School of Signals and the Australian Army Band Melbourne march through Montmorency, exercising their freedom of entry right granted by the City of Banyule. Story by Major Sarah Kelly. Photos by Private Hamid Farahani.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

City honours school with freedom of entry

14/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1788 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Band, Defence Force School of Signals, Freedom of Entry

The streets of the Melbourne suburb of Montmorency came alive on October 5 with ceremonial splendour as the Defence Force

Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the United States Air Force aircraft fly in formation during Exercise Bushido Guardian near Misawa Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Bushido Guardian builds trilateral strength

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 389 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 3 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 has proved to be a huge trilateral success, as Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning

Australian Army image specialist Corporal Andrew Shaw captures naval manoeuvres during Exercise Bersama Lima 2025, off the coast of Malaysia. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Air Specialist Class 1 Christian Sparks RAF.

Asia Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Regional partners mark firsts on Ex Bersama Lima

08/10/202508/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 604 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, Five Power Defence Arrangements, HADR, Malaysia

This year’s Exercise Bersama Lima marked a series of firsts and a strong emphasis on future-ready capabilities of the Five

Royal Australian Air Force aviators help load cargo to a C-17A Globemaster at Ho Chi Minh City International Airport before deploying Vietnamese UN peacekeepers to South Sudan. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Asia Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Aussies proud of peacekeeping role

08/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 612 Views 0 Comments UN Peacekeeping, UNMISS, Vietnam

Every pallet loaded and every list checked gave Private Naomi Manton and Leading Aircraftman Blair Andrews pride in supporting the

Phillip 'Monro' Preuss celebrates his century with his great-grandchildren and 1 Recruit Training Unit members, from left, Squadron Leader Shannon Monk, Wing Commander Jodie Mason, Sergeant Nick Harrison, Corporal Tahlia Stockley and Warrant Officer David Harding. Story and photos by Flying Officer Belinda Barker.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

WW2 veteran celebrates a century

08/10/202508/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 501 Views 0 Comments 1RTU, RAAF Wagga Wagga, WWII

Nearly 80 years after his discharge from the Royal Australian Air Force, Phillip ‘Monro’ Preuss remains a celebrated member of

Flight Lieutenant Bryce Martin, left, and Flight Lieutenant Justin Hayter, right, during filming of the documentary, Australian Roulette. Story and photos by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Australian Roulette rolls onto TV screens

08/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 461 Views 0 Comments Central Flying School, RAAF East Sale, Roulettes

A documentary now streaming on the 9Network follows the Air Force aerobatic team, the Roulettes, as three new pilots join

Ahead of Exercise Bushido Guardian, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Forces and United States Air Force fast jets conduct a trilateral activity. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Bushido Guardian launches fast jets in Japan

03/10/202503/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1029 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 3 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 has launched, with F-35A Lightning II jets from 3 Squadron, supported by a 33 Squadron KC-30A

Communication electronic technicians Sergeant Dean Chipman and Corporal Wayne Matthews, from the Surveillance and Control Training Unit, test a radio at 452 Squadron, Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Training team builds success through innovation

02/10/202502/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 419 Views 0 Comments Edgy Air Force Lab, No. 452 Squadron

A team at the Surveillance and Control Training Unit (SACTU) has built a low-cost solution to a long-standing equipment shortfall,

An F-35A Lightning II taxis in after a mission from RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Arnhem Thunder 25. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes twice in the Top End

02/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 815 Views 0 Comments Exercise Arnhem Thunder, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Arming multiple F-35A Lightning II aircraft for live weapons drops, twice a day, is no easy feat – but armament

Four CA-27 Sabres from the 75 Squadron 'Black Diamonds' aerobatic team perform a display over RAAF Base Richmond during the Air Force Week airshow in September 1961. Photo from the RAAF Museum.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Airshow’s flight through Richmond’s history

30/09/202530/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 855 Views 0 Comments RAAF Richmond

Over 100 years, RAAF Base Richmond has recorded more than 1.28 million visitors at airshows, flying displays and community events.

Air Commodore Bill Kourelakos (rtd) signs 'The Air Mobility Workhorse: C-130 Hercules Aircraft in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Service'. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Feats of Hercules recorded

30/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 898 Views 0 Comments C-130 Hercules, RAAF Richmond

The flightline at RAAF Base Richmond has launched countless C-130 Hercules missions around the globe – and now it has

Members of the public excitingly enter the RAAF Richmond Air Show 2025. Photo by Aircraftman Jonathon McCaffrey.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

A wrap on RAAF Richmond Airshow 2025

30/09/202530/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1255 Views 2 Comments RAAF Richmond

About 80,000 people flocked to Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond over the weekend of September 27 and 28 to

Cadet Katelyn Wichman, left, and Cadet Oscar Brown, right, stand either side of former Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules loadmasters Bob Pearman, Herman ‘Dave’ Jones, Cole Coyne, Stue Hablethwaite and his service dog at the RAAF Richmond Airshow. Story by Flight Sergeant Mark Eaton.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

A century of service, a lifetime of memories

30/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1137 Views 0 Comments RAAF Richmond

The roar of jet engines, the thrill of aerial displays and a century of proud history came together at RAAF

Personnel from RAAF Base Richmond on the Out of the Shadows Lifeline walk. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Bringing suicide prevention Out of the Shadows

30/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 923 Views 0 Comments Lifeline, National Suicide Prevention Day, RAAF Richmond

Earlier this month, RAAF Base Richmond participated in Lifeline’s Out of the Shadows Walk, to remember the lives of those

Bomana War Cemetery, located near Port Moresby, is the final resting place of more than 3300 Australians. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Bomana visit a moving moment for ADF members

25/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3090 Views 0 Comments HMAS Choules, Operation Wantaim, PNG, WWII

Two ADF members paid a special visit to their relatives’ graves at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea

ersonnel from the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Brunei Armed Forces during a visit to Brunei Darussalam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Deanna Ellick./ Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Australian F-35As visit Brunei

25/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3069 Views 0 Comments Brunei, F-35A Lightning II, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBLF)

In a demonstration of growing Defence cooperation, two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft landed in Brunei Darussalam

From left, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Ure, Squadron Leader Dee Irwin and Sergeant Michelle Carmona outside the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Force Headquarters in Juba, South Sudan. Story and photo by Squadron Leader Benjamin Clarke.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Supporting peace from behind the scenes

25/09/202525/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 760 Views 0 Comments Operation Aslan, UN Peacekeeping

While peacekeeping operations often spotlight boots on the ground, it is the behind-the-scenes professionals who keep the mission moving. CAPTION:

A RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight line at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during Exercise Thai Boomerang. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

That’s a wrap for Thai Boomerang 2025

24/09/202524/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3434 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force, Thailand

Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025 has come to an end with a closing ceremony at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base

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