Pacific Archives - CONTACT magazine

Australian Army soldiers provide guidance to PNGDF soldiers about creating a shield wall during population protection and control training as part of Exercise Olgeta Warrior. Story by Captain Jessica O’Reilly.

Exchanging tactics in PNG

13/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, PNGDF

About 50 personnel from the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade spent two months providing training to the Papua New Guinea Defence

Chief of Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld and Major General Mark Goina (right), Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force, shake hands after signing an aviation safety memorandum of understanding at Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby. Story by John Noble.

History News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Helping restore air capability in PNG

06/05/202212/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 737 Views 0 Comments PNGDF, WWII

Australia is lending a helping hand in getting the air arm of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) back

Australian Army sapper Logan Kocbek, from 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, and an RFMF engineer secure timber decking during construction of the footbridge. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Corporal Matthew Kenny.

Australian Army News Pacific

Building bridges with Fiji

06/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 352 Views 0 Comments 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

A four-hour journey at 3am and a broken-down bus didn’t stop Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) engineers farewelling their

Commander of the 7th Brigade, Brigadier Michael Say, leads the Australian Army contingent in the Brisbane City Anzac Day parade. Story and photo by Major Roger Brennan.

Australian Army News Pacific

Pacific mateship on show in Anzac Day parade

29/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 375 Views 0 Comments 7th Brigade, ANZAC Day 2022, Gallipoli Barracks, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

Personnel from the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade gathered across Gallipoli Barracks to commemorate Anzac Day, and also took part in

Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Australian Army personnel who were classmates at the Royal Military College at Duntroon are reunited at the Headquarters 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, in Wewak, Papua New Guinea. Story by Captain Diana Jennings.

Australian Army News Pacific

Surprise reunion for Duntroon classmates in PNG

23/04/202227/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 571 Views 0 Comments Duntroon, PNGDF

Three years after graduating from the Royal Military College at Duntroon, a surprise reunion has left Army and Papua New

Commander of the Australian Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Major General Scott Winter, left, meets with New Zealand Army soldier Warrant Officer Class Two Sarah Rutene from the Solomons International Assistance Force in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Jessica O’Reilly.

Australian Army New Zealand News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Commander DJFHQ visits Solomon Islands

23/04/202227/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 433 Views 0 Comments 1st Division, Operation Lilia, Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands

A recent visit to Solomon Islands by the Commander of the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters has highlighted how much of an

New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicles on exercise. NZDF photo.

New Zealand News Pacific

New Zealand sells LAVs to Chile

20/04/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1678 Views 0 Comments

The New Zealand Defence Force has finalised a sale of 22 surplus New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAVs) to the

Palau's new Guardian-class patrol boat PSS President HI Remeliik II sails from its home port to commence maritime patrols as part of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s Operation Rai Balang. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

ADF News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Palau’s patrol boat supports Pacific priorities

11/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 475 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Solania, Pacific Class Patrol Boat, Pacific Maritime Security Program, Palau

The Australia Defence Force is working closely with the Pacific nation of Palau to enable it to patrol its vast

A RAAForce aviator plays soccer with Palau high school students during a community engagement activity as part of Operation Solania. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Engaging with schools on Palau

25/03/202229/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 289 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, Palau

It was back to high school for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel recently deployed to Palau. CAPTION: A RAAF aviator

Australian Army and Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel work together to rebuild an Upper Wilsons Creek access road damaged by floodwaters in northern New South Wales. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Corporal Sagi Biderman.

ADF Australian Army News Pacific Videos

Australian and Fijians side-by-side on flood cleanup

22/03/202225/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 683 Views 0 Comments 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Flood Assist 2022, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

Australian and Fijian soldiers worked side-by-side in northern New South Wales to rebuild a community access road as part of

Federated States of Micronesia personnel from the Guardian-class patrol boat FSS Toshiwo Nakayama salute as the Micronesian flag is hoisted on board for the first time during the boat's handover ceremony at Austal ship building facility in Henderson, Perth, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Australian News Pacific Videos

Micronesia receives first of two Guardian-class patrol boats

18/03/202218/03/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1067 Views 0 Comments Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has received the first of two Guardian-class patrol boats, delivered through the Pacific Maritime

Army soldier Sergeant Alefosio Kakala on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Leading Seaman David Cox & Sergeant Alefosio Kakala. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

Australian Army News Pacific

Family reunion with a difference in Tonga

08/03/202212/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 511 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, HMAS Adelaide, No. 808 Squadron, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Ten years is a long time to be away from home and, for Tongan-born Australian Army soldier Sergeant Alefosio Kakala

Solomon Islands children welcome an Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft carrying food and critical aid supplies to Auki airport, Solomon Islands. Photo by Corporal Jarrad McAneney.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Spartans return from Solomons

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 296 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands

Two Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft returned home to Australia recently following a successful mission supporting the Solomon Islands

HMAS Canberra and HMAS Supply (left) sail into Nuku‘alofa harbour in Tonga as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos

HMAS Canberra relieves HMAS Adelaide in Tonga

04/03/202205/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 587 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Supply, Operation Tonga Assist 2022, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

HMAS Canberra has arrived in Tonga to relieve HMAS Adelaide on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. CAPTION: HMAS Canberra and HMAS

Soldiers from 2RAR's small boat platoon move 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment personnel onto Atata Island in Tonga. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Petty Officer Jake Badio.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Amphibious platoon shows versatility in Tonga

01/03/202203/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 771 Views 0 Comments 2RAR, HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), small boat platoon showed their versatility on Operation Tonga

RAN sailor Able Seaman Maritime Personel Operations Christina Heron clears dead vegetation on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos

Pangiamotu Island clean-up

01/03/202203/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 390 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Australian Defence Force personnel have rehabilitated a tsunami-damaged monument that marks where Tonga’s first Catholic mass was conducted in 1842

RAAF pilot Squadron Leader Justin Della Bosca gives Solomon Islands Government officials a tour inside a C-27J Spartan aircraft at Honiara international airport, Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Corporal Jarrod McAneney.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Support to Solomon Islands on show

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 640 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, C-27J Spartan, COVID-19 Assist, Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands Government officials recently visited Australia’s support team in Honiara to better understand how the Australian Government was assisting the