Australian – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Army soldiers and officers from the 1st Aviation Regiment stand on parade in Gaza Lines at Robertson Barracks, NT. Story and photos by Captain Chloe Ellwood.

Parades mark Army aviation milestones

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 577 Views 0 Comments 16th Aviation Brigade, 1st Aviation Regiment, AH-64E Apache, Robertson Barracks

The 16th Aviation Brigade marked several key milestones at two ceremonial parades this month. CAPTION: Army soldiers and officers from

Australian and Philippine Army mortarmen fire an 81mm mortar during Exercise Kasangga. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

Asia Australian Army News

Philippines engagement taken to new level

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 559 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Kasangga, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippines

The Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines completed their largest dedicated program of training and expertise exchange

Corporal Tiger Jefferys with his gold medal awarded from Exercise Cambrian Patrol, at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, In October. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

ADF People Australian Army

Army names outstanding junior leader

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 512 Views 1 Comment 1RAR, Duke of Gloucester Cup

A section commander of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), who led the winning Duke of Gloucester (DoG) Cup

An Australian designed and built MQ-28A Ghost Bat fires an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia. RAAF image.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

MQ-28A Ghost Bat wins big after live fire

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 937 Views 0 Comments

The Australian government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to transition the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war-fighting asset

An Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter flies through Blacktown, NSW, during a training exercise. Story by Captain Chloe Ellwood. Photo by Private C.

Australian Army News

New Blackhawks conduct urban training

05/12/202507/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 978 Views 1 Comment 16th Aviation Brigade, counter-terrorism, UH-60M Black Hawk

Australian Army personnel conducted aviation training with UH-60M Black Hawks across the greater Sydney and Goulburn regions throughout October and

Members of HMAS Ballarat's ship's company prepare to scatter the ashes of four Royal Australia Navy sailors and one Royal Navy sailor during a committal of ashes to the sea ceremony off the coast of Australia. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

One final wish: Committal of ashes to the sea

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1008 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat

HMAS Ballarat has honoured the life and service of four former Royal Australian Navy members and one Royal Navy sailor by committing

Australian and Philippine Air Force members and representatives of Wheelchairs for Kids and the Angeles City Returned Services League, with two of the wheelchairs delivered to Clark Air Base, Philippines.

Asia Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Wheelchairs fly so children can thrive

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 684 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, C-130J Hercules, RAAF Richmond, RSL

On November 18, some important and precious Christmas gifts sat on board a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules. CAPTION:

54th Siege Battery trains at Puckapunyal Military Area during Exercise Verbranden Road, honing skills with the high mobility artillery rocket system. Story by Major Tim Sydenham. Photos by Catlin Heggie.

Australian Army News

Battery refines shoot-and-scoot tactics with HIMARS

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 787 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Exercise Verbranden Road, HIMARS, Puckapunyal

The accelerated delivery program of the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) continued with Exercise Verbranden Road last month. CAPTION:

Pathfinder Association representative Jeff McClenaughan awards 35 Squadron the Squadron of the Year trophy during the 2025 Pathfinders Awards at RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Archives Royal Australian Air Force

Air Mobility Group honours high flyers

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 410 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group (AMG), RAAF Richmond

The annual Air Mobility Group Pathfinder Awards held at RAAF Base Richmond have honoured the group’s highest performers and innovators.

Army’s new AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer fires during training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Photos by Belinda Dinami.

Australian Army News

Aussie soldiers fire new AS9 Huntsman

03/12/202507/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1228 Views 1 Comment 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle, AS9 Huntsman, School of Artillery

For the first time, Australian soldiers fired the cutting-edge AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on Australian soil on December 1,

Flight Lieutenants Alyssa Vickridge and Sophie Lanson, Wing Commander Lauren Guest, Flight Lieutenants Harriette Parker and Sharlene Huiskes, with Flying Officer Bun Tang, after the cyclone. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Base Darwin stands firm against Fina

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 718 Views 0 Comments cyclone, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

Not since Cyclone Tracy in 1974 has a weather event as severe as Tropical Cyclone Fina impacted the Darwin coastline

A relative of Flight Lieutenant Ross Frayne – a World War 2 and Korean War veteran who died in a crash at RAAF Base Mallala in 1955 – places a poppy on a commemorative wreath at the new Air Force memorial at the South Australian Aviation Museum. Story by Group Captain Greg Weller.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force commemorates peacetime sacrifice

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 898 Views 1 Comment Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Aviation Museum

Attendees gathered at the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) to witness the Dedication and Inaugural Commemorative Service of a new

HMAS Canberra crew are joined by families and guests on the flight deck for a whole ship photo off the NSW coast. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

News Royal Australian Navy

All aboard for Defence families

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1204 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra

HMAS Canberra played host to more than 300 family members and guests for a rare weekend at sea, off the coast of

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

HIMARS proves to be shipshape

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 889 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Fleet Base East, HIMARS, HMAS Canberra

It’s not the normal place you would expect to find Army’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), but it turns

Medical personnel from the ADF, British Armed Forces and New Zealand Defence Force outside the refurbished medical facility at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Modernised medical centre reopens at Camp Baird

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 753 Views 0 Comments Camp Baird, Middle East

Headquarters Middle East (HQME) has reopened a state-of-the-art medical facility at Camp Baird, Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB), the United

HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers sail into Darwin Harbour for the final time. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez Jr.

News Royal Australian Navy

The last run of the Armidales

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 875 Views 1 Comment Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Sailing into Darwin Harbour on a sunny day with smooth seas, the last of the Armidale-class patrol boats – HMA

An Edge 130 drone lifts off from HMAS Cape Pillar’s forecastle.

News Royal Australian Navy

Cutting-edge drone tech expands patrol boat reach

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 827 Views 0 Comments

The Royal Australian Navy has marked a significant milestone in maritime innovation with the successful first-of-class trials of the Edge

Australian and Philippine soldiers operate Zodiac inflatable boats as part of small boats and coastal defence training during Exercise Kasangga. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

Asia Australian Army News

Small boats, big connections

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 Views 0 Comments 5th/7th Battalion RAR, Exercise Kasangga, Philippines

Three Zodiac boats full of Australian and Filipino soldiers landed on a rocky outcrop down the coast from a fortified

Plastic fabricators from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard instruct Royal Australian Navy personnel at HMAS Stirling’s Fleet Support Unit in WA. Story by Lieutenant Mark Tesoriero. Photo by Leading Seaman Shaun Chatfield.

AUKUS News Royal Australian Navy

Technicians build trust during submarine upkeep

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 901 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, Nuclear Powered Submarines

A group of Royal Australian Navy technicians are putting their training into practice, supporting maintenance on the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine

International partners train with Samoan Emergency Services and Police during Exercise Pacific Partnership in Samoa. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Pacific

The best prepare for the worst

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 698 Views 0 Comments Headquarters 1st (Australian) Division, Samoa

Regional cooperation and disaster-response capability received a boost during the latest iteration of Exercise Pacific Partnership, held in Samoa. CAPTION: