Royal Australian Air Force – CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet conducts an aerial display over Mindil Beach, Darwin as part of exercise Pitch Black 2026. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

Air forces ignite sunset at Mindil Beach

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 140 Views 0 Comments

As the sun sat low in the sky, tens of thousands of people took their place on Mindil Beach in

A Republic of Korea Air Force A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft arrives at RAAF Base Darwin to take part in Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Corporal Maddie Butcher.

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Touchdowns continue in Darwin

17/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 444 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

Top End skies are busy this week as International Air Forces arrive in the Northern Territory for Exercise Pitch Black,

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Oscar Borton, a tactical coordinator from 11 Squadron, conducts a pre-flight check on a P-8A Poseidon prior to a mission during Exercise Rim of the Pacific at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

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11 and 12 Squadrons demonstrate teamwork at RIMPAC

17/07/202619/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 480 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, No. 12 Squadron, No. 92 Wing, RAAF Edinburgh, RIMPAC

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Aviators from 92 Wing have demonstrated that teamwork is the key when bringing their main

A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH Golden Eagle aircraft in flight at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flying Officer Leonie Midgley. Photos by Corporal Maddy Butcher.

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First arrivals for Ex Pitch Black

16/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 527 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Tindal

The sunset touchdown of four Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50PH Golden Eagles signalled the first arrival of fighter jets for

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat demonstrates integration with other platforms during Exercise Valiant Shield. Story by Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photo by Senior Airman Austin Salazar, US Air Force.

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Ghost features at US Exercise Valiant Shield

15/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 607 Views 0 Comments Exercise Valiant Shield, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

The future of Indo-Pacific defence and security was put to the test during Exercise Valiant Shield. CAPTION: The MQ-28A Ghost

Sergeant Bradlee Ledger, Lieutenant Odette Swaine and Flight Lieutenant Saurav Kataria during a demonstration of the air delivery drone known as Aladdin at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

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Cargo drone launched from C-130

10/07/202612/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 506 Views 0 Comments aladdin, drone, Exercise Jericho Dawn, RAAF Edinburgh

The successful launch of an air delivery drone, known as Aladdin, from a C-130J Hercules has demonstrated how emerging technologies

Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Richard Brougham and Wing Commander David Chaplin farewell the CT4A at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Jonathon McCaffrey.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Aircraft with rich history retires from service

09/07/202612/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 557 Views 1 Comment No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook

Nearly five decades after introducing generations of military aviators to flight, the Royal Australian Air Force’s CT4A trainer aircraft has

An AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launches from the wing of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon. RNZAF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Air Force USA

RNZAF P-8A Poseidon successfully launches Harpoon missiles

03/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 672 Views 0 Comments

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon has launched Harpoon missiles for the first time, during an international

Air Force personnel celebrate at the Ower’s Corner Kokoda Track monument, Papua New Guinea. Story by Taster Murdoch.

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Leading through resilience

02/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 979 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group (AMG), Kokoda Track

Air Mobility Group (AMG) personnel are accustomed to operating in demanding environments, preparing for uncertainty and responding when called upon.

An Air Force 10 Squadron MC-55A Peregrine on the apron at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Ryan Howell.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Peregrine starts Top End missions

02/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 0 Comments MC-55A Peregrine, No. 10 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

An MC-55A Peregrine from the Royal Australian Air Force’s 10 Squadron deployed to RAAF Base Darwin this month for its

RAAF Leading Aircraftwoman Meilena Frolova patrols a US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Wing Commander Pete Croce. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

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Air warfare experts enjoy the Spirit of training

26/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1290 Views 1 Comment Exercise Diamond Storm, RAAF Amberley, US Air Force

Australia’s next generation of air warfare experts had the opportunity to practise mastery in the integration of advanced air effects

Aircraftman Hardik Sheoran receives instructions from Warrant Officer Michael Bailey, while conducting surveillance in a P-8A Poseidon during Operation Gateway. Story by Flight Lieutenant Natasha Silver. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Where maritime aviators are made

25/06/202625/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 520 Views 0 Comments Malaysia, No. 292 Squadron, Operation Gateway, P-8A Poseidon

The first time a maritime surveillance student switches on the sensors over the Malacca Strait, the reaction is usually the

Royal Australian Air Force personnel and United States partners stand in front of an F-35A Lightning II following a joint Weapon Fill Measurement Vehicle flight test. Photo by Corporal Brooke Stewart.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces advance F-35A weapons testing

25/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 709 Views 0 Comments F-35B Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force has taken part in the first joint Weapon Fill Measurement Vehicle (WFMV) flight test on

Air Vice-Marshal John Haly gives an address during the Bomber Command ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Story by Flying Officer Alexandra DeValentin. Photos by Sergeant David Said.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Ceremony honours Bomber Command service

19/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 639 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

The 10,000 Royal Australian Air Force aircrew, ground staff and members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force who served in

A USAF MC-130J prepares for takeoff after delivering a HIMARS unit to Delamere Air Weapons Range, Northern Territory, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Introducing Australia’s ‘tactical dream team’

17/06/202617/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 741 Views 0 Comments

C‑130J ‘Super Hercules’ is the workhorse of the sky and, matched with the ADF’s growing fleet of HIMARS launchers, forms

New (right) air-traffic control tower construction at RAAF Base Darwin, adjacent to the old tower (left), which will eventually be demolished. Photo by Sergeant Ben Dempster.

ADF News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

OneSKY mega-delay remains ‘a concern’

12/06/202612/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 661 Views 0 Comments

Defence convened a Project of Concern Summit in Canberra this week to discuss the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System

Medical personnel from the 2nd Health Battalion use a deployable CT scanner at a Role 2 Enhanced treatment facility on Exercise Viper Walk at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Story by Captain Chris Wade. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

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CT scanner a game changer for medics in the field

05/06/202605/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 708 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Battalion, Exercise Viper Walk, Gallipoli Barracks

It’s widely regarded as one of the most important medical innovations of the past 50 years, earning its inventor –

Three RAAF EA-18G Growlers during Exercise Diamond Spear. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jody Blakeley. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air warfare instructors tested on Diamond Spear

04/06/202604/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 516 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, Exercise Diamond Spear

The Australian Defence Force’s next generation of air warfare instructors have been pushed to their limits during Exercise Diamond Spear,

The 14th Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon gets a water-arch salute from aviation firefighters on arrival at RAAF Base Edinburgh, marking the fleet's completion. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF receives 14th P-8A Poseidon

27/05/202627/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 765 Views 0 Comments P-8A Poseidon

The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its 14th and final P‑8A Poseidon aircraft, marking a significant milestone

Deputy Director Disruptive Experimentation Wing Commander Keirin Joyce with a JabX, an uncrewed aerial system developed by RFDesign and Jericho Disruptive Innovation. Story by Flight Lieutenant Natasha Silver.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

RAAF developing unmanned air logistics

06/05/202609/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 908 Views 0 Comments Jericho Disruptive Innovation (JDI), Project Arena, Project Camel Train

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Jericho Disruptive Innovation (JDI) team is making headway on autonomous aerial logistics systems to support

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