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CONTACT magazine
RAAF Sergeants Connor O'Neill and Ryan Pedder, 7th and 8th from left, facilitated the Building Blokes program for aviators from 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.
ADF People Health and Wellbeing 

Vulnerability takes courage

11/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1606 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Williamtown, Top Blokes Foundation, World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day As an awkwardly tall and skinny teenager, Sergeant Ryan Pedder struggled with his masculinity. CAPTION: RAAF

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Sergeant Andrew Summers in front of a F-35A Lightning II at 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.
ADF People Health and Wellbeing Thought provoking 

Breaking the stigma of PTSD

10/10/202328/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2773 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, PTSD, RAAF Williamtown, World Mental Health Day

Sergeant Andrew Summers, of 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW, is an example of how proactive

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RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 75 Squadron transit to Sam Ratulangi Air Force Base, Manado, during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.
Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

Air-combat first with Indonesia

22/09/202328/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 4029 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elang Ausindo, F-35A Lightning II, Indonesia, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, TNI-AU

Set in the tropical jungle of North Sulawesi in Indonesia, Exercise Elang Ausindo kicked off on September 18 between 75

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Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft fly with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle aircraft during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.
Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

Exercise Bushido Guardian

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 4047 Views 1 Comment Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35B Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron

Australian and Japanese aviators forged strong partnerships and lifelong lessons during the two-week Exercise Bushido Guardian in Japan. CAPTION: Royal

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Pilot Officer Ema Kobayakawa talks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.
ADF People 

Breaking down language barriers

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2130 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

An historic visit by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning IIs to Australia allowed a small group of linguists

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RAAF pilot Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman at RAAF Base Williamtown before flying the F-35 A Lightning II display at the Central Coast Airshow 2022, at Warnervale, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
ADF People 

Dirty work sets up a high flyer

15/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1762 Views 0 Comments RAAFSTT

RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT) played a pivotal role in Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman’s career, providing an insight into

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RAAF School of Technical Training Squadron staff take a group photo at RAAF Base Wagga during the squadron’s visit day. Story by Squadron Leader Kate Davis. Photo by Flight Sergeant Craig Sharp.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

Trainees moving as one

12/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2337 Views 0 Comments RAAF Wagga Wagga, RAAFSTT

One of the most diverse training units in the Air Force opened it doors to trainees and visiting squadrons alike

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An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment hits the shore during a combined amphibious assault activity on Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Squadron Leader Courtney Jay. Photos by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.
Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Tanks for combined-arms exercise in Philippines

05/09/202306/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 4819 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, Philippines, US Marines

For the first time, the ADF and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the support of the United States

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Outgoing Commander Air Commodore David Paddison, left, and incoming Commander Air Commodore Robert Graham during the Combat Support Group change-of-command ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.
ADF People 

Handing over the reins

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2087 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), RAAF Amberley

Aviators from more than 50 Air Force trades marched onto the tarmac at RAAF Base Amberley late last month to

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RAAF's Super Hornets will benefit from an upgrade of engine test cells at RAAF Bases Amberley and Williamtown. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.
News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry 

New lease of life for aircraft engine testing

25/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2793 Views 1 Comment EA-18G Growler, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Amberley, TAE Aerospace

TAE Aerospace will upgrade the test system for the F414 engines that power the RAAF’s Super Hornet and Growler aircraft.

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RAAF country liaison officers Flight Lieutenants Inderbir Singh (left) and Darpan Dhawan chat with Indian Navy naval air operations officer INAS 312 Lieutenant Sanjana Kamat and qualified navigation instructor INAS 316 Lieutenant Commander Lokesh Kumar (right). Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Private Dean Armstrong.
ADF People 

Standing side by side

25/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2868 Views 0 Comments Exercise Malabar, Indian Armed Forces, Indo-Pacific Endeavour

Two RAAF members combined their Indian and Australian heritage to facilitate cultural understanding during this year’s Exercise Malabar. CAPTION: RAAF country

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Australian Army soldier Corporal Brandon Camilleri, right, delivers quick orders during a bilateral air assault exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Captain Joanne Leca. Photos by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.
Asia Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Philippines combined air assault a success

25/08/202328/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3575 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Alon, F-35B Lightning II, HMAS Canberra, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, MRF-D, MV-22 Osprey, Philippines, US Marines

More than 600 soldiers from the ADF,  Philippines and US conducted an air assault near Rizal, the Philippines, during Exercise

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Guided missile destroyer USS Dewey conducts a Tomahawk missile flight test while underway in the western Pacific. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin M. Langer.
ADF News Science & Technology 

ADF gets $2billion for new missiles

21/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3172 Views 0 Comments AARGM-ER, Spike LR2, Tomahawk

Australia’s federal government today announced an investment of more than $1.7 billion in some of the most powerful and technologically

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Australian, Japanese and American soldiers conduct a live-fire platoon attack with armoured fighting vehicles at Puckapunyal during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2014. Photo by Sergeant Brian Hartigan.
ADF Japan News 

Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement now in effect

14/08/202326/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3356 Views 3 Comments Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement

Australia and Japan are strengthening defence ties with the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) coming into effect today. FILE PHOTO:

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HMAS Brisbane's ship’s company observe the Sydney Harbour fleet entry for Exercise Malabar 2023. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.
News Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Brisbane leads international fleet into Sydney

11/08/202313/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3055 Views 0 Comments Exercise Malabar

Air defence and anti-submarine warfare are some drills planned for the 27th iteration of Exercise Malabar, hosted by Australia for

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HMAS Anzac sailors line the forecastle as the ship arrives at Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper.
News Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Anzac home after regional presence deployment

11/08/202313/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2273 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base West, HMAS Anzac, Regional Presence Deployment, US Navy

After a busy few months, the ship’s company of HMAS Anzac has wrapped up the latest regional presence deployment in

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A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning ll takes off from RAAF Base Curtin, Western Australia, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.
News Royal Australian Air Force Talisman Sabre 

Sleepy air base awakens

04/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2503 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), Exercise Talisman Sabre, RAAF Curtin

In the remote northern corner of Western Australia sits RAAF Base Curtin, a contingency air base is maintained with a

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Australian Army officer trainees Staff Cadet Eric du Preez (left) and Staff Cadet Tori Spithoven from the Royal Military College at Duntroon, Canberra, during the Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 live-fire demonstration at Shoalwater Bay training area in central Queensland. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Staff Sergeant Ryan Wilhoit (US Army).
ADF People Australian Army News 

Cadets experience multinational firepower

28/07/202304/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2723 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, HIMARS, M777 Howitzer, Royal Military College-Duntroon (RMC-D), Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Staff Cadet

Nine I Class Staff Cadets from the Royal Military College − Duntroon (RMC-D) in Canberra, were given the opportunity to

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Four Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II's over northern Australia during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23. Photo by Sergeant Pete Gammie.
News Royal Australian Air Force Talisman Sabre 

Top End provides world-class airspace for TS23

28/07/202301/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3376 Views 1 Comment Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Tindal

The Top End provides a world-class airspace for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, where Australian and United States aviators can continue

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A K9A1 self-propelled Howitzer from the 11th Field Artillery Unit of the Korean Marine Corps fires during a multi-national live firepower demonstration at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.
Australian Army News Talisman Sabre 

Talisman Sabre kicked off with a bang

26/07/202330/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2575 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, F-35B Lightning II, HIMARS, M777 Howitzer, US Army

Soldiers from Australia, the United States, Japan, and South Korea conducted a combined joint live-fire demonstration at the Shoalwater Bay

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