Overseas – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

RAAF and United States Air Force personnel at Nellis Air Force Base during a synthetic training exercise.

Virtual training builds modern fighting capacity

29/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 461 Views 0 Comments simulation facility, USAF

On a synthetic training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and United States Air Force

Australian Army soldier Corporal Justin MacLennan watches Steve Nasui, of the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation, deploy a drone as part of Exercise Coastwatchers in the Solomon Islands. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News Pacific

Coastwatchers legacy levels up

22/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 515 Views 0 Comments drones, Exercise Coastwatchers, Solomon Islands

Exercise Coastwatchers has ramped up training between the Australian Army and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), with the addition

Solomon Islands airport staff unload Australian aid from a 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan at Munda International Airport following Tropical Cyclone Maila. Story by Flight Sergeant Mark Eaton. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

ADF supports Solomon Islands after Cyclone Maila

22/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 432 Views 0 Comments 35 Squadron, C-17A Globemaster III, C-27J Spartan, cyclone, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, No. 36 Squadron, Solomon Islands

The Australian Defence Force has rapidly mobilised to support Solomon Islands communities following the devastating impact of severe Tropical Cyclone

Australian ADF reservist Vincent Tran under arrest for fighting in Ukraine contrary to Defence regulations. Screengrab from official AFP video.

ADF Europe News

Army reservist charged with breaching Defence legislation after allegedly fighting in Ukraine

08/04/202608/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 775 Views 5 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine

An Australian Army reservist was scheduled to face Adelaide Magistrates Court on 7 April 2026, charged with breaching Defence legislation

LAV-25s deploy M-257 smoke grenade systems during the final phase of the 2026 Bushmaster Challenge at competition at Camp Pendleton. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sawyer Carleton.

New Zealand News

KIWIs shine in US LAV comp

06/04/202606/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 509 Views 0 Comments

A Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) crew from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1RNZIR) recently awarded top overall crew at

Members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) prepare to fly into Oruzgan's Baluchi Valley and Chora regions in support of an MTF1 mission, in 2010. Photo by Lieutenant Aaron Oldaker.

Australian Army Middle East News

Has Australia sent SAS to Middle East?

03/04/202603/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1188 Views 0 Comments

Media reports suggest that Australia has already sent SAS members to the Middle East – speculation Defence Minister Richard Marles

Lieutenant Matthew Jennings conducts anti-submarine warfare exercises with Leading Seaman Lachlan Wyatt aboard HMAS Toowoomba as part of Exercise Nichi Gou Trident. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Submarine hunters unite

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1561 Views 0 Comments Exercise Nichi Gou Trident (NGT), HMAS Toowoomba, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Submarine

If you think ‘finding a needle in a haystack’ is the best idiom to describe the impossible, then you’ve never

A member of the maintenance crew directs a RAAF P-8A Poseidon post-flight on the apron, at United States Air Force Andersen Air Base, Guam, during Exercise Sea Dragon. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jody Blakeley. Photo by Aircraftman Jakob Reid.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Enhancing Poseidon lethality and readiness

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1528 Views 0 Comments Andersen AFB, Exercise Sea Dragon, No. 12 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, US Navy

In the deep waters near Guam, RAAF deployed a P-8A Poseidon and 50 aviators to Andersen Air Force Base for

A simulated IED detonates at an Australian training facility in the Middle East. Photo by Petty Officer Phil Cullinan.

ADF Middle East News

Australia’s base in Middle East hit

18/03/202618/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 761 Views 0 Comments

On the morning of 18 March 2026 (AEDT), an Iranian strike impacted an area at the Al Minhad Air Base

Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force air movements personnel unload cargo from a RNZAF C-130J-30 Hercules at RAAF Base Richmond during Exercise Trojan Compass. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoan Mikaela Fernlund.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Air Force

NZ Herc embeds in RAAF squadron

17/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 339 Views 0 Comments

For the first time, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130J Hercules has been flying under an Australian call

New Zealand’s Brigadier Esther Harrop and Australia’s Lieutenant General Susan Coyle sign the memorandum to boost the two countries’ collaboration in the cyber domain. Story byLieutenant Colonel Andrew Butler.

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

Cyber partnership strengthens across Tasman

11/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 509 Views 0 Comments Cyber Defence

A major step forward in trans-Tasman cyber cooperation was taken at the Five Eyes Defence Cyber Contact Group Conference in

An E-7A Wedgetail takes off from Australia's main logistics base in the Middle East. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force

Australia gets involved in Middle East crisis

10/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 962 Views 0 Comments

The Australian government very quickly threw its support behind the Israeli and US attacks on Iran on 28 February and

NZ Army Troops deploy to South Korea via C-130J from RNZAF Base Ohakea. RNZDF photo.

New Zealand News

Kiwis deploy to South Korea

07/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 671 Views 0 Comments

For the second year running, a New Zealand Army infantry platoon has deployed to the Republic of Korea to train

UAS footage of RNZN divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui as part of Op Resolution. New Zealand Defence Force Photo.

New Zealand News

Court martial for 3 over loss of HMNZS Manawanui

07/03/202607/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1139 Views 0 Comments

Charges have been laid in the Court Martial of New Zealand in relation to the loss of Royal New Zealand

HMAS Warramunga ships company during the International Fleet Review City Parade at Ramakrishna Beach, Vishakhapatnam, India. Story by Sub Lieutenant Keigan Gunther. Photos by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

India News Royal Australian Navy

Aussies step out in India

05/03/202607/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 584 Views 0 Comments HMAS Warramunga, Indian Navy, International Fleet Review (IFR)

HMAS Warramunga joined hundreds of thousands of spectators and military personnel lining the streets for one of India’s largest public maritime celebrations.

From left, Royal Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Fred Hunter, Royal Australian Air Force Pilot Officer Ed and United States Air Force pilot Captain Brendan Crouse with a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Nell Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Sharpening aviator skills in US desert

26/02/202628/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 590 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bamboo Eagle, Exercise Red Flag, No. 75 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) aviators recently sharpened their air combat skills at two premier air training exercises out of

Philippines Naval Vessel BRP Diego Silang follows HMAS Toowoomba while they conduct officer of the watch manoeuvres during a maritime cooperative activity off the west coast of Luzon. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Australians and US sail with Philippine forces

25/02/202625/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 447 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Philippine Navy, US Navy

It was a day of poise, professionalism, and precision as three partner nations sailed and flew in formation off the

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II take off from Nellis Air Force Base, United States, during Exercise Red Flag 26-1. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Bamboo Eagle – testing the battlespace ‘nervous system’

21/02/202621/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 771 Views 0 Comments

Exercise Bamboo Eagle 26-1, designed to test the ‘nervous system’ of joint and coalition AirPower took place in the USA

Australia's 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment Sapper Shonee Gelhaar and EDD Ash, who is indicating the presence of a target odour, is assisted by New Zealand Army's Lance Corporal Conor Woods. NZDF photo.

Australian Army New Zealand News

Aussie EDDs experience unique Kiwi test

21/02/202621/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 626 Views 0 Comments

In a significant first, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has taken the lead in organising and delivering a groundbreaking

Hawker Hunter Trophy awardee Flight Lieutenant Sam Nery with fellow graduates of the Empire Test Pilots' School in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photo by Wing Commander Wayne Baylis.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force UK

Aussies come up aces in UK flight testing

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 548 Views 0 Comments

Competitively drawn from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), four ADF officers graduated from the Empire