Overseas – CONTACT magazine

Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, with their gold medals, awarded from Exercise Cambrian Patrol. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Australia’s best take on premier patrolling test

31/10/202531/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 439 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Duke of Gloucester Cup, Exercise Cambrian Patrol, UK Armed Forces

Soldiers from 1st Battalian, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), achieved gold at this year’s Exercise Cambrian Patrol, proving why they

Cyber warfare specialist Leading Seaman Joel Kviz while deployed to Japan for Operation Argos, working from Kadena Air Base. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman and Lieutenant Emily Tinker. Photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF ADF People Cyber Japan News

Deployed cyber specialists deliver mission assurance

31/10/202531/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 451 Views 0 Comments Cyber Command, cyber warfare, Japan, Operation Argos

Delivering ‘cyber assurance’ to Defence operations is a responsibility that requires cyber warfare specialists to work abroad, working in a

Trooper Megan Creamer helps deliver donated goods during a community outreach activity in the Papua New Guinea Central Highlands village of Kosipe during Exercise Helicon Luk. Story and photos by Captain Tadek Markowski.

Australian Army News Overseas

Goodwill gesture a hit in the highlands

29/10/202529/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 571 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, Exercise Helicon Luk, PNG

Each year Army Aviation sends aircraft to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to qualify pilots and aircrew operators on flying in

Royal Australian Air Force Flying Officer Eric Morant and Leading Aircraftman Lachlan McAndrew exchange mission data from the P-8A during Operation Argos at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Precision and partnership drive Argos success

28/10/202528/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 598 Views 0 Comments Japan, No. 11 Squadron, No. 87 Squadron, Operation Argos, P-8A Poseidon, united Nations Security Council

On Operation Argos, intelligence informed each flight, operations coordinated it in real-time and mission assurance specialists processed every byte of data

Royal Australian Air Force Avionics Technicians, Leading Aircraftwoman Rosalia Frichot and Aircraftman Izaak Mazurek during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2025, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Paris Rigney.

ADF People Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Avionic technicians living the dream in Japan

24/10/202526/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 709 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35A Lightning II, Gap Year program, Japan, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 3 Squadron

For two young RAAF avionic technicians, their decision to join the permanent air force after “dipping their toes” in the

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.

Europe News Royal Australian Air Force

NATO praises nation’s support for Ukraine

23/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 758 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

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 828 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

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 1226 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 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 1136 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

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 1129 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

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 779 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

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 760 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 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 812 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:

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 742 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 735 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

Timor-Leste Defence Force soldiers take part in communications and combat first aid training with Australian Army soldiers from 1st Health Battalion and 1st Combat Signals Regiment in Baucau, Timor-Leste, during Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk. Story and photos by Captain Nicholas Marquis.

Australian Army News Overseas

Building bonds in Timor-Leste

08/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1129 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, 1st Combat Engineer Regimen, 1st Combat Signal Regiment, 1st Health Battalion, Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk, Timor-Leste

More than 250 Australian soldiers worked with personnel from New Zealand, the United States and Japan during a series of Defence

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 1267 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

Asia Australian Army News

Sappers welcomed to the jungle

02/10/202502/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 914 Views 0 Comments Malaysia, Malaysian Armed Forces

Amidst the dense Kuantan jungle, military personnel from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom were greeted by a striking

Australian Army officers from 2nd Health Brigade assist United States Army personnel in loading a Japanese Middle Army patient onto a CT machine at the Role 3 field hospital on Exercise Orient Shield 2025 at the Sekiyama Training Area, Japan. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Australian Army Japan News

Army medics hone trilateral skills

02/10/202502/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 809 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Brigade, 4th Health Battalion, Exercise Orient Shield, Japan, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), US Army

From trauma care to casualty evacuation, army medical specialists from Australia, Japan and the United States trained side by side

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, fire an 81mm mortar during Exercise Orient Shield at the Sekiyama Training Area, Japan. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Australian Army Japan News Videos

Trilateral mortars on target

30/09/202530/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1305 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Orient Shield, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), US Army

In a landmark first, Australian Army soldiers joined their Japanese and United States counterparts in a combined mortar live-fire on

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