Overseas – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Bomana War Cemetery, located near Port Moresby, is the final resting place of more than 3300 Australians. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Bomana visit a moving moment for ADF members

25/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3504 Views 0 Comments HMAS Choules, Operation Wantaim, PNG, WWII

Two ADF members paid a special visit to their relatives’ graves at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea

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.

Faith the language of hope in Timor-Leste

25/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2813 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 3145 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 3530 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 3623 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

RAAF explosive ordnance disposal technician Flight Sergeant Brian Dick takes part in trench clearance explosives disposal training during the Prairie Fire international skills sharing activity in the United States. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Wing Commander Paul Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Aussie bomb techs dig deep

19/09/202520/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4128 Views 0 Comments EOD, No. 65 Squadron, US Air Force, UXO

The Belgians brought experience clearing explosive remnants of war. CAPTION: RAAF explosive ordnance disposal technician Flight Sergeant Brian Dick takes part

The “different silhouette” of a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter equipped for international flight. RNZDF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Pacific

RNZAF NH90s complete longest flights over water

13/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4927 Views 0 Comments

For the first time, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopters have flown between two countries, crossing a large swathe

PNG Minister for Finance Thomas Opa and a Royal Australian Air Force officer unveil the new sign at the opening of the Aviation Heritage Centre at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photos by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Historic aircraft find new home in PNG heritage centre

12/09/202513/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3447 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, PNG

Papua New Guinea’s aviation heritage can now be proudly displayed following the opening of the purpose-built Aviation Heritage Centre at

An Australian Army member from the Parachute Training School descend into Sir Hubert Murray Stadium from a PNG Defence Force aircraft during the Military Tattoo at Port Moresby. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Jack Pearce.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Military Tattoo showcases unity for PNG50

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3822 Views 0 Comments PNG, PNGDF

Music, culture and fireworks lit up Sir Hubert Murray Stadium as Papua New Guinea hosted a Military Tattoo in the

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 3172 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

Australian Army personnel from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, join PNG Defence Force members in a ceremonial gun salute during the Fleet Review at APEC Haus, Port Moresby. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Jack Pearce.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Fleet review, open day salute PNG independence

05/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 6472 Views 0 Comments 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, HMAS Childers, HMAS Choules, PNG

Thousands lined the waterfront at APEC Haus in Port Moresby this week as naval crews stood to attention and ships

Private Janet Puk, from 4th Health Battalion, examines mosquitoes under the microscope in Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, during Exercise Alon. Story and photos by Sergeant Roger Tang.

Australian Army News Pacific

Soldier combats enemy that’s hard to see

05/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3914 Views 0 Comments 4th Health Battalion, Exercise Alon, Philippines

Battling mosquitoes and torrential rain, an Environmental Health soldier protected Defence members from health risks during Exercise Alon in the

Recipients of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award (JCGSA) approach the Sandakan Death March Memorial in Sabah, Malaysia, while retracing the historic route. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Overseas

A journey of remembrance and learning in Borneo

05/09/202516/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 6035 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, WWII

Recipients of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award (JCGSA) have retraced the route of the single worst atrocity inflicted on

A Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler lands at Clark Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Alon 2025. Story by Flying Officer Aarron Dann. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Growlers, Hornets deploy to Philippines for first time

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4600 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, EA-18G Growler, Exercise Alon, F/A-18F Super Hornet

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken air combat capability to the next level, deploying EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18F

Clinicians from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), United States Air Force (USAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) lay out medical dummies for an aero-medical evacuation during Exercise Mobility Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photo from NZDF.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Medical care on the fly across Pacific

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 6161 Views 0 Comments Exercise Mobility Guardian, No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES), RAF, RNZAF, US Air Force

Affectionately know as the ‘Anzacs’, medical technicians from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) have seamlessly integrated into the

Australian Army soldiers from Battlegroup Ram fire a M777A2 howitzer during Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Major Tom Maclean. Photo by Sergeant Roger Tang.

Australian Army News Pacific

Major exercise in the Philippines

02/09/202507/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3358 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) demonstrated their ability to deliver integrated and

An Australian Army soldier instructs Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel during a training serial as part of Op Kudu Rotation 10 in the United Kingdom. Photo by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

ADF Europe News Overseas

10th Aussie rotation to Ukraine training mission

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6283 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine

Deploying the 10th rotation of Australian personnel on Operation Kudu marked three years of continuous support to the Armed Forces

The new landing craft Late, which was delivered to Tonga at a handover ceremony at Masefield Naval Base on 29 August 2025. ADF image supplied.

Australian News Pacific

New landing craft delivered to Tonga

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3100 Views 1 Comment

Australia has successfully delivered a new landing craft vessel to Tonga, with an official handover ceremony taking place at the

Australian soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers participate in an amphibious landing and assault near San Vicente, the Philippines, during Exercise Alon 25. Photo by Corporal Adam Abela.

ADF News Overseas Pacific

Aussie + Filipino troops hit the beach

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4743 Views 0 Comments

The thump and smoke from simulated naval gunfire heralded the start of the amphibious assault. CAPTION: Australian soldiers from the

Personnel from 35 Squadron prepare a C-27J Spartan for an aerial surveillance patrol during Operation Solania in the Solomon Islands. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Spartan sustains Solania in Pacific

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3344 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, Solomon Islands

The third instalment of Operation Solania for the year took place in the Pacific from August 4-17, when the ADF