News – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Pilots from four nations – the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, second from right, and United States Air Force sit in the cockpit of a CC-177 Globemaster (701) during a flight to Canadian Forces Station Alert. Story by Taster Murdoch. Photos by Corporal Gwyneth Lovell, Canadian Armed Forces.

Operation Boxtop on top of the world

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 623 Views 0 Comments Canadian Armed Forces, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Boxtop, US Air Force

Members from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 36 Squadron joined international forces for Operation Boxtop to resupply bases in the

Ship's company of HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers line the decks during the decommissioning ceremony held at HMAS Coonawarra, in the Northern Territory. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photos by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy

Armidale-class sails into history

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 587 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, decommissioning, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Navy has formally farewelled the three remaining Armidale-class patrol boats, HMA Ships Albany, Bathurst and Childers, in a solemn decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin.

Army soldiers and officers from the 1st Aviation Regiment stand on parade in Gaza Lines at Robertson Barracks, NT. Story and photos by Captain Chloe Ellwood.

Australian Army News

Parades mark Army aviation milestones

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 547 Views 0 Comments 16th Aviation Brigade, 1st Aviation Regiment, AH-64E Apache, Robertson Barracks

The 16th Aviation Brigade marked several key milestones at two ceremonial parades this month. CAPTION: Army soldiers and officers from

Australian and Philippine Army mortarmen fire an 81mm mortar during Exercise Kasangga. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

Asia Australian Army News

Philippines engagement taken to new level

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 530 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Kasangga, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippines

The Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines completed their largest dedicated program of training and expertise exchange

Corporal Tiger Jefferys with his gold medal awarded from Exercise Cambrian Patrol, at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, In October. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

ADF People Australian Army

Army names outstanding junior leader

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 447 Views 1 Comment 1RAR, Duke of Gloucester Cup

A section commander of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), who led the winning Duke of Gloucester (DoG) Cup

An Australian designed and built MQ-28A Ghost Bat fires an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia. RAAF image.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

MQ-28A Ghost Bat wins big after live fire

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 905 Views 0 Comments

The Australian government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to transition the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war-fighting asset

Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army formally stands up its newly-formed Motorised Infantry Battalion at Linton Military Camp on Friday 5 December, 2025. RNZDF photo.

New Zealand News

NZ Army creates new motorised infantry battalion

07/12/202507/12/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 987 Views 1 Comment

A newly-formed unit of the New Zealand Army, Ngāti Tūmatauenga, was formally called to attention this week. CAPTION: Ngāti Tūmatauenga,

An Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter flies through Blacktown, NSW, during a training exercise. Story by Captain Chloe Ellwood. Photo by Private C.

Australian Army News

New Blackhawks conduct urban training

05/12/202507/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 960 Views 1 Comment 16th Aviation Brigade, counter-terrorism, UH-60M Black Hawk

Australian Army personnel conducted aviation training with UH-60M Black Hawks across the greater Sydney and Goulburn regions throughout October and

Members of HMAS Ballarat's ship's company prepare to scatter the ashes of four Royal Australia Navy sailors and one Royal Navy sailor during a committal of ashes to the sea ceremony off the coast of Australia. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

One final wish: Committal of ashes to the sea

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 956 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat

HMAS Ballarat has honoured the life and service of four former Royal Australian Navy members and one Royal Navy sailor by committing

Australian and Philippine Air Force members and representatives of Wheelchairs for Kids and the Angeles City Returned Services League, with two of the wheelchairs delivered to Clark Air Base, Philippines.

Asia Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Wheelchairs fly so children can thrive

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 668 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, C-130J Hercules, RAAF Richmond, RSL

On November 18, some important and precious Christmas gifts sat on board a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules. CAPTION:

54th Siege Battery trains at Puckapunyal Military Area during Exercise Verbranden Road, honing skills with the high mobility artillery rocket system. Story by Major Tim Sydenham. Photos by Catlin Heggie.

Australian Army News

Battery refines shoot-and-scoot tactics with HIMARS

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 767 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Exercise Verbranden Road, HIMARS, Puckapunyal

The accelerated delivery program of the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) continued with Exercise Verbranden Road last month. CAPTION:

Pathfinder Association representative Jeff McClenaughan awards 35 Squadron the Squadron of the Year trophy during the 2025 Pathfinders Awards at RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Archives Royal Australian Air Force

Air Mobility Group honours high flyers

05/12/202505/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 403 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group (AMG), RAAF Richmond

The annual Air Mobility Group Pathfinder Awards held at RAAF Base Richmond have honoured the group’s highest performers and innovators.

Army’s new AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer fires during training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Photos by Belinda Dinami.

Australian Army News

Aussie soldiers fire new AS9 Huntsman

03/12/202507/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1196 Views 1 Comment 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle, AS9 Huntsman, School of Artillery

For the first time, Australian soldiers fired the cutting-edge AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on Australian soil on December 1,

Flight Lieutenants Alyssa Vickridge and Sophie Lanson, Wing Commander Lauren Guest, Flight Lieutenants Harriette Parker and Sharlene Huiskes, with Flying Officer Bun Tang, after the cyclone. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Base Darwin stands firm against Fina

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 712 Views 0 Comments cyclone, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

Not since Cyclone Tracy in 1974 has a weather event as severe as Tropical Cyclone Fina impacted the Darwin coastline

A relative of Flight Lieutenant Ross Frayne – a World War 2 and Korean War veteran who died in a crash at RAAF Base Mallala in 1955 – places a poppy on a commemorative wreath at the new Air Force memorial at the South Australian Aviation Museum. Story by Group Captain Greg Weller.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force commemorates peacetime sacrifice

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 857 Views 1 Comment Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Aviation Museum

Attendees gathered at the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) to witness the Dedication and Inaugural Commemorative Service of a new

HMAS Canberra crew are joined by families and guests on the flight deck for a whole ship photo off the NSW coast. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

News Royal Australian Navy

All aboard for Defence families

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1193 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra

HMAS Canberra played host to more than 300 family members and guests for a rare weekend at sea, off the coast of

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

HIMARS proves to be shipshape

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 875 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Fleet Base East, HIMARS, HMAS Canberra

It’s not the normal place you would expect to find Army’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), but it turns

Medical personnel from the ADF, British Armed Forces and New Zealand Defence Force outside the refurbished medical facility at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Modernised medical centre reopens at Camp Baird

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 736 Views 0 Comments Camp Baird, Middle East

Headquarters Middle East (HQME) has reopened a state-of-the-art medical facility at Camp Baird, Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB), the United

HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers sail into Darwin Harbour for the final time. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez Jr.

News Royal Australian Navy

The last run of the Armidales

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 871 Views 1 Comment Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Sailing into Darwin Harbour on a sunny day with smooth seas, the last of the Armidale-class patrol boats – HMA

An Edge 130 drone lifts off from HMAS Cape Pillar’s forecastle.

News Royal Australian Navy

Cutting-edge drone tech expands patrol boat reach

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 822 Views 0 Comments

The Royal Australian Navy has marked a significant milestone in maritime innovation with the successful first-of-class trials of the Edge