News – Page 4 – CONTACT magazine

Lance Corporal Alex O'Neill, of 6th Engineer Support Regiment, operates a military dozer during culvert construction on Erub Island as part of the 2025 Army Ailan Community Assistance Program (AACAP). Story by Captain Jordan Grantham. Photos by Captain Joanne Leca.

Army and First Nations communities build together

24/09/202524/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3245 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, AACAP

Soldiers continue to put their skills to the test on the first Army Ailan Community Assistance Program (AACAP) in the

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.

Australia and Brunei strengthen defence ties

23/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3584 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

An Australian Army Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light ready for final delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Gabriella Sudano. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF capability boosted by Hawkei

23/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3699 Views 0 Comments Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Hawkei, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Defence’s Land Systems Division handed over the final Australian Army Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light (PMV-L) to the Royal

Leading Seaman Aircrewman Jess Muir observes HMAS Ballarat during a South China Sea transit as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-4. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photo by Petty Officer Jacob Kambanaros.

News Royal Australian Navy

Frigate and flight find their rhythm

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4580 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Ballarat recently sailed from her home port in Western Australia on a three-month regional presence deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Members of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Association, guests and representatives from Allied and Axis powers prepare for the wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Hobart. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

More than heroism: Battle of Britain tribute

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4223 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, WWII

Eighty-five years ago, a fierce aerial campaign changed the course of history. CAPTION: Members of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Association,

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 4103 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

Army’s newest M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams immersive tactical trainers. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army News

New tank simulator ramps up the realism

17/09/202517/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4368 Views 0 Comments M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams immersive tactical trainer (ITT)

As the driver moves an M1A2 Abrams main battle tank into position, the crew commander identifies an enemy infantry fighting

Australian Army Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles fire rapid obscuring systems during the Boxer Block II conversion course at Puckapunyal. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News

New armoured vehicle a game-changer

17/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4697 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), Boxer CRV, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Puckapunyal

Army’s newest cavalry vehicles were put to the test during Exercise Talisman Sabre, with the first troop of Boxer Block

Aerial photo of Henderson, Western Australia. Supplied by Ventia.

AUKUS News Sovereign industry

Billion$ for Henderson upgrade

14/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5056 Views 0 Comments Henderson

The government will provide $12 billion towards delivering a Defence Precinct at Henderson to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and AUKUS

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 4899 Views 0 Comments

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

Video screenshot of a RAAF EA-18G Growler pilot flying through Brisbane CBD during Riverfire 2025.

ADF People News Royal Australian Air Force

Riverfire from the pilot’s perspective

13/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5086 Views 0 Comments Riverfire

The Australian Defence Force has published some very cool behind-the-scenes footage of their involvement in this year’s Riverfire flypast. ADF

Sales of Legacy bears support the annual national appeal to raise awareness and funds for the families of veterans who have given their life or health in service to our country. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Emma Taylor.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Annual fundraiser a big boost for Legacy

12/09/202512/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5011 Views 0 Comments Legacy Week, Vivian Bullwinkel

Across the country, sailors, soldiers and aviators took to the streets selling pin badges and bears to raise funds in

Group Captain Kath Stein is the first current serving ADF member to be president of the Australian College of Nursing. Story by Michelle Hoare.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing News

ADF nurse to lead Australian College of Nursing

12/09/202522/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4492 Views 0 Comments Vivian Bullwinkel

For Group Captain Kath Stein, following in the footsteps of one of her military nursing role models is deeply meaningful.

Comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann is awarded the Australian Operational Service Medal (Civilian) by Deputy Theatre Commander Major General Paul Kenny in recognition 20 years of support to deployed troops. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Combat comic ‘Lehmo’ honoured

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5067 Views 3 Comments Afghanistan, Forces Entertainment Tour, Iraq, Middle East

Comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann has been awarded the Australian Operational Service Medal (Civilian) in recognition of his two decades of

The crew of HMAS Ballarat hold a morning tea during their regional presence deployment to raise funds and awareness for R U OK? Day. Story and photo by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Ballarat crew checks in on R U OK? Day

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3979 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, mental health, RUOK

The crew of HMAS Ballarat paused their busy regional presence deployment schedule to mark R U OK? Day at sea.

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 3424 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 3802 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 3153 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

Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy at at Fleet Base East in Sydney, inspect a Ghost Shark prototype before announcing the contract with Anduril Australia to acquire a new fleet of Australian designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles – known as Ghost Sharks – for the Royal Australian Navy. ADF photo by Kym Smith.

Australian News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Govt orders “dozens” of Oz-made Ghost Sharks

10/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1452 Views 4 Comments Anduril, Ghost Shark

The government is investing $1.7 billion to acquire a new fleet of Australian‑designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles –

Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez is the first Navy photographer awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross, acknowledging his dedication to capturing the stories of Australia's military personnel through imagery. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo supplied.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

From behind the lens and into the spotlight

09/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3931 Views 0 Comments

Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez is the first Navy photographer awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross, making him the most highly decorated