Asia – CONTACT magazine

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.

Jungle assault on Bersama Lima

10/10/202512/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 622 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 629 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 636 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

Asia Australian Army News

Sappers welcomed to the jungle

02/10/202502/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 793 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 Chaplain Cesar Lopez gifts a priest with some Holy Bibles at a Local Parish Church at Comoro in Dili, Timor, during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

ADF Asia News

Faith the language of hope in Timor-Leste

25/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2737 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste Defence Force

Timor-Leste is a nation born through the flames of conflict, sacrifice and adversity. CAPTION: Australian Army Chaplain Cesar Lopez gifts

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 3076 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

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 3444 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

HMAS Ballarat's boarding party approaches Royal Brunei Navy ship KDB Darulaman during a maritime exercise off the coast of Brunei Darussalam during Exercise Penguin. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Australia and Brunei strengthen defence ties

23/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3539 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Exercise Penguin, HMAS Ballarat, Royal Brunei Navy

For the first time since 2018, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy have completed Exercise Penguin, a

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force’s 1 Squadron at the opening ceremony of Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

Asia Australian Border Force News

Thai Boomerang flies back to Thailand

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3122 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force

More than 500 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are taking part

A Republic of Korea Marine Corps marine conducts a combat team assault during Exercise Talisman Sabre at Bowen, Queensland on 18 July 2025. Photo by Lance Corporal Jessica Gray.

Asia Australian Army News USA

Korean marines launch attack backed by AU US

25/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1842 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

Two Republic of Korea MUH-1 Marineon helicopters departed the ROKS Marado sitting offshore. They roared into Bowen, delivering an amphibious

Philippine Army and Australian Army soldiers shake hands after the Australians were presented with patches of the Philippines’ 4th Infantry Division during the closing ceremony of Ex Kasangga at Camp Evangelista in Northern Mindanao. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree

Asia Australian Army News

Diggers share skills with Filipino soldiers

09/07/202509/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1895 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, Exercise Kasangga, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippine Army

Australian Army soldiers have conducted training with the Armed Forces of Philippines in demolitions, field obstacles and search, as well

Armed Forces of the Philippines service members assess a runway during an Airfield Survey and Airfield Repair Mobile Training Team program. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photos by Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF aids Philippines on remote airfields

04/07/202504/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2442 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), mobile training team (MTT), Philippines

Royal Australian Air Force aviators have worked with their Philippine counterparts on support for flying operations from austere and damaged

Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy) Observer Lieutenant Dain monitors shipping movements onboard an Australian P-8A Poseidon during a sortie on Operation Gateway 25-1/2. Photo by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Butterworth engagement on Op Gateway 25

17/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 7284 Views 0 Comments Operation Gateway, P-8A Poseidon, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

In a display of international collaboration, 92 Wing Alpha Detachment hosted Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Butterworth’s key leadership and

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hyun Kim is promoted by Commander 1st (Australian) Division, Major General Ash Collingburn during Exercise Freedom Shield at Camp Yongin, Republic of Korea. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Sergeant Won Kyu Jeon (Republic of Korea).

ADF People Asia Australian Army

Linguist left speechless at award ceremony

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1947 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Exercise Freedom Shield, linguists, South Korea, United Nations Command (UNC)

Army reservist Corporal Hyun Kim was promoted from craftsman to corporal and presented with an Army Silver Commendation during Exercise

Deputy Detachment Commander, Flight Lieutenant Alex Cross, displays some of Operation Gateway's most important logistics requirements at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth in Penang. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

From rotis to round-the-clock maintenance

13/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2294 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, Operation Gateway, P-8A Poseidon, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

What does it take to get 60 personnel and multiple aircraft operating as a seamless contingent overseas? CAPTION: Deputy Detachment Commander,

Australian Army sappers from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment join in a Counter-Improvised Explosive Device course during the Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines program in Tarlac City, Philippines. Story by Captain Annie Richardson.

Asia Australian Army News

Sappers get a blast out of shared training

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1976 Views 0 Comments 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), 6th Engineer Support Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, EOD, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), mobile training team (MTT)

Under the beating sun in Tarlac City in the Philippines, Australian explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists recently exchanged experience and

HMAS Sydney departs Darwin on Regional Presence Deployment 25-2. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF Asia News

HMAS Sydney leads Aussie team on Bersama Shield 2025

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2964 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield

HMAS Sydney is leading the Australian charge on Exercise Bersama Shield 2025 as part of Australia’s second regional presence deployment

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force's 33 Squadron meet their counterparts from the Republic of Korea Air Force at Gimhae Air Base during Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Building experience and connections in South Korea

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3482 Views 0 Comments Exercise Freedom Flag, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 114MRCU, Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines

A growing Australian presence at Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1 in the Republic of Korea recently allowed Royal Australian Air Force

Two 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the 19 Squadron apron at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth during Exercise Elangaroo 24. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes twice in Malaysia

18/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3177 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elangaroo, F-35A Lightning II, No. 77 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

The RAAF and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) joined forces once again to conduct Exercise Elangaroo 24 at RMAF Butterworth

From left, Able Seaman Ben Champley, Leading Seaman Joanne Hill and Leading Seaman Rocky Ahwang help to make Anzac biscuits during a visit to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan SANZAC school in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Aussie personnel help Malaysian community

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1465 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Navy

As members from HMAS Sydney’s ship’s company walked through the hallways of a school in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, they felt

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