Pacific – Page 15 – CONTACT magazine

Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft are transporting vital emergency supplies to Fiji and Vanuatu following Tropical Cyclone Harold. NZDF photo.

NZ Hercules distributes aid and repatriates Kiwis after Pacific cyclone

18/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2641 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules are busy around the South Pacific in the wake of Cyclone Harold – distributing aid and repariating Kiwis.

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill transit the Philippine Sea in February. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Lynch.

News Overseas Pacific USA

Sailor from USS Theodore Roosevelt dies of COVID-19

14/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2281 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

A sailor from the USS Theodore Roosevelt died of ‘COVID-related complications’ on Sunday in the intensive-care unit of US Naval Hospital Guam on 13 Feb.

Crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt listen to Vice Admiral William Merz, commander US 7th Fleet, answering questions during a visit to the ship on 7 April 2020. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaylianna Genier.

News Overseas Pacific USA

US NavSec falls on his sword after attacking USS Roosevelt captain

08/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3489 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Acting Secretary of the US Navy Thomas Modly who sacked the captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier has fallen on his sword.

USS Theodore Roosevelt exercises with US Air Force out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, on 20 March 2020. Photo from USS Theodore Roosevelt Facebook page.

News Overseas Pacific USA

Captain of USS Theodore Roosevelt relieved of duty

03/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2695 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

The commander of the US aircraft carrier knocked out of action by a COVID-19 outbreak after a visit to Vietnam has been relieved of duty.

Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces deploying as part of the next rotation the United Nations Assistance Mission – Iraq take their seats on a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III in preparation for take-off. Photo by Captain Krystelle Jones.

Australian Middle East News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF airlifts Fijians to Middle East

12/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3578 Views 0 Comments

Australia’s relationship with Fiji has strengthened with two sustainment missions for 2020 transporting Fijian peacekeepers to the Middle East in March.

Australian and Fijian delegations at the handover of a new Guardian-class patrol boat to Fiji. Photo from Minister Reynolds' Facebook page.

Australian News Overseas Pacific Science & Technology

Fiji accepts Australian-gifted patrol boat

06/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3853 Views 0 Comments

Australia has handed over the newest Guardian-class patrol boat to Fiji at a ceremony today at Austal Shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.

The first Austal-built Guardian-class patrol boat on builder's sea trials. Austal photo.

ADF Australian News Pacific

Guardian-class handover to Fiji tomorrow

05/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3009 Views 0 Comments

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price will attend an official gifting ceremony of a

A No. 2 Squadron E-7A Wedgetail taxis out to the Andersen Air Force Base runway during Exercise Cope North 20 in Guam. Photo by Corporal David Said.

Australian News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Wedgetail impresses at Cope North

03/03/202003/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2810 Views 0 Comments

With up to 60 fast jets in the air around Guam, a No. 2 Sqn E-7A Wedgetail follows the fight, providing battlespace surveillance during Exercise Cope North.

An emotional farewell for the Fijian Bushfire Assist contingent at Orbost, Victoria.

ADF Australian News Operations Pacific Videos

Emotional farewell for Fijians from Orbost

25/02/202026/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 18080 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

Orbost held an emotional farewell event for Fijian military deployed in support of Operation Bushfire Assist as the contingent prepared to go home.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers carry a component of a temporary medium girder bridge installed at Buchan Caves during Operation Bushfire Assist. Photo by Leading Seaman Kieran Whiteley.

Australian Australian Army News Operations Pacific Videos

International team builds bridges communities get over

14/02/202003/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3362 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

Two bridges constructed by the Australian, Fijian and PNG militaries will improve access to a popular tourist attraction in the wake of the bushfires.

3rd Combat Engineer Regiment's Sapper Luke Simmonds helps Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers move a gas bottle at the Benambra Recreation Area. Photo by Corporal Sebastian Beurich.

Australian Australian Army News Operations Pacific

Task Group Dingo ready to roll

21/01/202021/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3172 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

More than 150 Australian Defence Force and Papua New Guinean Defence Force engineers in Task Group Dingo are now in East Gippsland for Op Bushfire Assist.

Kumul Force 17 personnel pose for a photo before embarking a RAAF C130 for Port Moresby to marry up with 18 Assault Pioneers from 1RPIR, and other elements from HQPNGDF, before being airlifted by two RAAF C130s to Melbourne, for the Operation Halivim Wantok. PNGDF photo.

Australian Australian Army News Operations Pacific

PNG engineers arrive in Victoria

13/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5101 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

Around 80 military engineers plus a command and liaison element from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force arrived in Australia today.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Sapper Gone Ketcee with Australian Army Sappers Tim Flack and David Jones on Koro Island during Operation Fiji Assist. Photo by Able Seaman Chris Beerens.

ADF Australian News Operations Pacific

Fiji sending engineer platoon to help in bushfire cleanup

13/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3522 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

The Australian Defence Force has accepted a Republic of Fiji offer to provide a platoon of engineers to help out on Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20.

Flight Sergeant Geoff McLaughlin of Number 37 Squadron writes a message on an airdrop load destined for a Micronesian island during Operation Christmas Drop 2019. Photo by Corporal David Said.

Australian News Operations Pacific Rest of World Royal Australian Air Force

Operation Christmas Drop all dropped out

17/12/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2227 Views 0 Comments

Operation Christmas Drop 19 has concluded in Guam, with a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules and crew delivering 23

Service members and volunteers who helped build air-drop supply bundles at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for Operation Christmas Drop 2019. US Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Kyle Johnson.

Asia Australian New Zealand News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force USA

Operation Christmas Drop all bundled up in Guam

08/12/201908/12/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2942 Views 0 Comments

Service members from the U.S. Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jietai), Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand

Soldiers from the 2RAR mentor soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines on weapon-handling drills in Pagadian, Philippines. Photo by Corporal Jessica de Rouw.

ADF Australian News Operations Pacific

Augury-Philippines transitions to higher level

02/12/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2761 Views 0 Comments

The Australian Defence Force has taken the next step in its enduring relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules loads 50,000 measles and rubella vaccines in Nadi, Fiji. Photo by Infinity Images Fiji for UNICEF.

New Zealand News Overseas Pacific

NZDF helps Samoa fight measles epidemic

02/12/201902/12/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1929 Views 0 Comments

The New Zealand Defence Force is providing logistics support to a New Zealand government response to a Samoan measles epidemic.

Port of Suva workers watch as Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Adelaide (III) prepares to come alongside at Kings Wharf in Suva, Fiji. Photo by Corporal Jessica de Rouw.

Australian News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Task group visits Fiji

28/11/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2974 Views 0 Comments

The Australian Defence Force completed its latest round of regional engagement in the Southwest Pacific with a week-long visit to

Vuna Wharf employees provide support to HMAS Adelaide in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Photo by Corporal Jessica de Rouw.

Australian Australian Army News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Task Group completes visit to Tonga

21/11/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2883 Views 0 Comments

Australian Defence Force personnel have completed a series of week-long engagement activities with His Majesty’s Armed Forces in the Kingdom of

Philippine Army solider Sergeant Sonny Casuga practices urban combat techniques with Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, at Capinpin, Philippines, as part of Operation Augury. Photo by Corporal Kyle Jenner.

ADF Australian News Operations Pacific

Australia enhances Philippines training efforts

17/11/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3874 Views 0 Comments

Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana have announced that Australia will transition