Australian – Page 3 – CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force PC-21 and Wirraway aircraft perform a flyover during the RAAF Base Wagga Freedom of Entry parade, in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photo by Aircraftman Jakob Reid.

Freedom of Entry marks bond of 85 years

23/10/202523/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 733 Views 0 Comments Freedom of Entry, RAAF Wagga Wagga

With swords drawn and drums beating, 500 RAAF Base Wagga personnel marched in perfect formation as a Freedom of Entry

Flight Lieutenant Rhett Allen, left, Corporal Jonathan Zinger and Flight Lieutenant Georgia Crean while deployed to Poland as part of the E-7A Wedgetail contingent. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander John A Thompson.

NATO praises nation’s support for Ukraine

23/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 911 Views 1 Comment E-7A Wedgetail, NATO, NATO’s Support and Assistance to Ukraine (NSATU), Poland, Ukraine

As the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft prepared to leave Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) praised

STS Young Endeavour sails from Sydney Harbour, embarking on her last voyage around Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Young Endeavour’s last lap inspires new generation

22/10/202522/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2785 Views 0 Comments Young Endeavour

Australia’s national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour has completed her final circumnavigation of the continent, marking a significant milestone in her 37-year

The Air Force Balloon with Mount Panorama in the background at 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Sergeant Dan Pinhorn.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Dawn patrol brings quiet magic to Bathurst

21/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 844 Views 0 Comments Air Force Balloon, Bathurst 1000

Before the roar of V8 engines and smell of racing fuel filled the air for the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000,

Incoming Commanding Officer HMAS Kuttabul Captain Iain Hutchins, left, receives the weight from outgoing Commanding Officer HMAS Kuttabul Captain Rebecca Levitt at the Heritage Centre, Garden Island, Sydney. Story by By Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Able Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Gravity of changing the watch

21/10/202521/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1015 Views 0 Comments HMAS Kuttabul

Commanding a Navy base is never a simple task, and for Captain Rebecca Levitt, her tenure as Commanding Officer HMAS Kuttabul has

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Belinda Gabrielsen deployed on Operation Kudu in Poland. Photo by Leading Seeaman Kylie Jagiello.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Support staff keep Wedgetail supporting Ukraine

21/10/202525/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1195 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Operation Kudu

As the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft takes flight on another mission over Eastern Europe, the men and women who worked tirelessly

Brother and sister Joey and Elise with crew aboard the Royal Australian Navy Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour during a Young Endeavour Youth Scheme voyage 2025. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Peta Binns.

News Royal Australian Navy

Siblings share sailing sensation

21/10/202521/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 672 Views 0 Comments Young Endeavour

Not every sister and brother get to say they’ve sailed Australia’s coast on board national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour – but

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.

Europe News Royal Australian Air Force

Wedgetail watches NATO’s eastern flank

17/10/202517/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1345 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 1356 Views 1 Comment 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

Australian Army soldier Corporal Angus Pugney, of the 4th Health Battalion, conducts patient extraction winch training as part of Exercise Helicon Luk 2025 in PNG. Story by Captain Tadek Markowski. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Overseas

Army’s first responders practise their craft

17/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1364 Views 0 Comments 4th Health Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, Exercise Helicon Luk, PNG, PNGDF

When the ADF is called upon to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, it’s often Army’s workhorse helicopter, the CH-47F

Course members take part in a simulated activity during Exercise Blue Flag at the Majura Training Area, Canberra. Story and photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF News

ADF showcases world-class peacekeeping training

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 997 Views 0 Comments Exercise Blue Flag

The Australian Defence Force is demonstrating its commitment to preparing personnel for complex missions through the United Nations Military Observer

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 2447 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

An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook from 5th Aviation Regiment navigates the rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea’s Central Highlands during altitude training. Story by Captain Tadek Markowski. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Overseas

Army aircrews on a high during training in PNG

14/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1310 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, Exercise Helicon Luk, Exercise Wantok Warrior, PNG, PNGDF

In late September, Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment flew four of its CH-47F Chinooks to Papua New Guinea to take part

Navy’s second offshore patrol vessel NUSHIP Eyre arrives at Fleet Base West to begin her transition to operational release phase. Story by Lieutenant Jacques de Villiers. Photos by Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners.

News Royal Australian Navy

Eyre arrives at her home port

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1385 Views 0 Comments Arafura-class, Fleet Base West, NUSHIP Eyre, offshore patrol vessel

Navy’s newest offshore patrol vessel (OPV) NUSHIP Eyre has arrived at her home port of Fleet Base West for the first time.

Lieutenant Commander Travis Robinson while deployed on Operation Paladin. Story by Lieutenant Commander Jonathan White.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Middle East News

Bravery on the battlefield and beyond

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 901 Views 0 Comments improvised explosive device (IED), Operation Paladin, United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)

“Lima, this is Victor … CAPTION: Lieutenant Commander Travis Robinson while deployed on Operation Paladin. Story by Lieutenant Commander Jonathan

Defence personnel conduct a climb during the rock phase of Rock and Ice at Mt Arapiles. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Lieutenant Sebastian Ashton.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Military Fitness News

Between a rocky and an icy place

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 826 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, Rock and Ice

When Midshipman Stephanie Hudson fell during her first rock-climbing trip, she didn’t think much of it – she just got

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 856 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

Pilots from the United States prepare to conduct a maintenance test flight of one of the Australian Army's two new AH-64E Apache helicopters in Townsville. Photo by Captain Chloe Elwood.

Australian Army News

Aussie Apaches land in Townsville

10/10/202512/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1481 Views 0 Comments AH-64E Apache, RAAF Townsville

Army’s first new attack helicopters were delivered to RAAF Base Townsville last month. CAPTION: Pilots from the United States prepare

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Alastair Wuth patrols through the jungle during Exercise Bersama Lima 2025 in Kuantan, Malaysia. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Corporal Andrew Shaw.

Asia Australian Army News Videos

Jungle assault on Bersama Lima

10/10/202512/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1090 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Exercise Bersama Lima, Malaysia

The sharp sound of simulated gunfire and mortars echoed through the jungle as coloured smoke billowed across the canopy. CAPTION:

Self-image of Defence Science and Technology Group's nanosatellite, Buccaneer Main Mission, using its secondary system – the Manoeuvrable Antenna and Terrestrial Imaging System. Story by Emma Thompson.

ADF Cyber News Science & Technology Space Division

Satellite’s progress is out of this world

08/10/202508/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 869 Views 0 Comments Cubesats, DSTG

It’s been six months since the Buccaneer Main Mission satellite was launched into low-Earth orbit and the team at Defence