Overseas – Page 3 – CONTACT magazine

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.

Major exercise in the Philippines

02/09/202507/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3412 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 6341 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 3163 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 4804 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 3394 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

Australian Army soldiers farewell Armed Forces of Ukraine members as they return home to Ukraine from Operation Kudu Rotation 10 in the United Kingdom. Story by Captain Brittany Evans. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army News UK

Training Ukrainians becomes personal

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3674 Views 0 Comments NATO, Operation Kudu, United Kingdom

For Australian soldiers and officers on the 10th rotation of Operation Kudu, supporting and training Ukrainian soldiers for four-and-a-half months

New Zealand Army gunners from 16th Field Regiment lead a live-fire mortar exercise alongside Papua New Guinea Defence Force counterparts. NZDF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Pacific

New Zealand Army delivers first mortar course in PNG

16/08/202516/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3269 Views 1 Comment NZDF, PNGDF

A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent drawn from various units within 1st (NZ) Brigade and Joint Support Group has

US Navy ship USS Pearl Harbor alongside at Lae, PNG, as the Republic of Korea Ship II Chul Bong departs during Exercise Pacific Partnership. Photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

ADF provides valuable contribution to US-led exercise in PNG

07/08/202509/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3115 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pacific Partnership, PNG, US Navy

The Australian Defence Force has concluded a successful deployment of personnel to Papua New Guinea as part of Exercise Pacific

Australian Army AH-64E Apache pilots, Captain Craig Burger, left, and Captain Jonathan Hogan, at the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence, in Alabama. Story by Captain Jonathan Hogan. Photos supplied.

Australian Army News USA

The art of teaching Apache – an aviator’s experience

07/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2610 Views 0 Comments 1st Aviation Regiment, AH-64E Apache, US Army

Australian Army pilot Captain Jonathan Hogan describes his training as an instructor on the Apache attack helicopter in Alabama. CAPTION: Australian

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft technician Corporal Aisha Norton-O'Donnell inspects the advanced refuelling boom system of a 33 Squadron KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft, during air-to-air refuelling trials with the US Air Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by US Air Force.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Air-to-air refuelling trials complete

29/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2294 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed air-to-air refuelling clearance trials with the United States Air Force (USAF) at

Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Cavalary Regiment, and United States Navy personnel, assist members from Depth Defence Logistics loading M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks to a United States Navy Loading Craft Utility during Exercise Talisman Sabre at the Townsville Port, Queensland. Photo by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Australian Army News USA

Tanks on the Hook for Talisman Sabre

25/07/202526/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2141 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

Four of the Australian Army’s new M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and a MA88 recovery vehicle have been craned

Royal Australian Navy sailors prepare to board a vessel from a United States Coast Guard Transportable Port Security Boat near Larrakeyah Barracks, Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

News Royal Australian Navy USA

AU US boarding teams build partnerships

25/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2599 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

“Australian Navy! Australian Navy!” – If someone hears those words shouted with authority while a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) boarding

HMAS Sydney (left) and Spanish Navy frigate Mendez Nunez conduct officer of the watch manoeuvres during Regional Presence Deployment 25-2. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

International sister ships meet at sea

25/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1946 Views 0 Comments

If HMAS Sydney looked like it was sailing with a twin, that’s because it was. CAPTION: HMAS Sydney (left) and

The 2nd Artillery Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launch a Type 12 surface-to-ship missile at Beecroft Weapons Range, New South Wales, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Photo by Private Alex Brown.

Australian Japan News

Japan fires missile in Jervis Bay

25/07/202503/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1706 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

For the second time in Australia, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live-fire demonstration of Type 12

A United States Coast Guard vessel heads out on patrol from HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian News USA

US security patrols feel like honorary Aussies

25/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1665 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

They may be a long way from their home base of Clearwater, Florida, but the United States Coast Guard personnel

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 1934 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

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel attached to the Australian Amphibious Force - Amphibious Task Group 1 (ATG-1) participate in Wet and Dry Environmental Rehearsals (WADER) from HMAS Canberra during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in the Cowley Beach Training Area, Queensland. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Japan News Pacific

Multinational integration during amphib landings

25/07/202525/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1779 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

Over the last few days, the Australian Amphibious Force has completed significant Force Integration Training (FIT) and Wet and Dry

Australian Europe News

Aussie tanks arrive in Ukraine

20/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3534 Views 4 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine

The transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been completed.

Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific on display during an award ceremony at the Navy Capability Centre – Henderson, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

ADF News Pacific

New medal for Indo-Pacific service

18/07/202518/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4855 Views 1 Comment

Approximately 150 personnel of ship’s company of HMAS Stuart are among the first in the nation to receive the Australian

Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore is welcomed on board HMAS Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney hosts Carrier Strike Group Commodore

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3299 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, HMAS Sydney, Operation Highmast, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy

HMAS Sydney has welcomed the Commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore, on