Chief of Air Force – CONTACT magazine

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell presents 101-year-old Air Force veteran Charles Reif with an Aussie Hero Quilt. Story by Elise Monge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rodney Welch.

A lifetime of dedication to country and service

25/11/202525/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 495 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, Chief of Air Force

When Charles Reif enlisted in the Air Force in 1946 at 22 years old as an aircraftman electrical mechanic, he

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 3556 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

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, meets local man Erik Adriaensen at the graves of fallen aviators from 464 Squadron at Eindhoven, Netherlands. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People Europe History Lest We Forget

RAAF salutes dedication to WWII graves

20/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2070 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, Netherlands, WWII

A Dutch family who tend to the graves of Australian aviators have received personal thanks from Chief of Air Force

From left, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Corporal Matthew Thornton, Flight Lieutenant Edwin Betar and Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton at the Air Force writing awards presentation. Story by Squadron Leader Sacha Mondon. Photos by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Awards honour outstanding writers

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1940 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

An essay about the hazards of the ADF becoming dependent on contractors and industry, and a paper on the necessity

Warrant Office of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, Gary Walsh, Rodney Ticler, David Gardner, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell at the unveiling of the restored P-40E Kittyhawk. Story by Squadron Leader Richard Briedis. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scot.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF restores Ming the Merciless

26/03/202505/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2558 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Chief of Air Force, RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Bringing a World War II aircraft back to life is a labour of love – especially when that aircraft’s namesake

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks with guests at the Bombing of Darwin memorial unveiling at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes sacrifice in WWII attack

28/02/202514/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2126 Views 0 Comments Bombing of Darwin, Chief of Air Force, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, WWII

Two memorials honouring the sacrifice of aviators killed in a Japanese attack have been unveiled in Darwin. CAPTION: Chief of Air

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clinton with Leading Aircraftwoman Sarah Gardner, Corporal Melany Stummer, Leading Aircraftwoman Riley Biedermann and Leading Aircraftwoman Rachael Hoey. Story by Flying Officer Jody Blakeley.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Bonding for breast cancer charity

26/11/202403/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1583 Views 0 Comments 3 Control and Reporting Unit (3CRU), Chief of Air Force, Surveillance and Control Training Unit (SACTU)

Units from the Royal Australian Air Force’s Eastern Region Operations Centre joined forces throughout October to raise funds for the

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell and Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton unveil the plaques commemorating the loss of 100 Squadron members who perished while serving on Beauforts A9-186 and A9-374 in 1943, at RAAF Base Point Cook. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell..

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Honouring devotion to duty

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2635 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, along with dignitaries and family members, attended the memorial service and plaque

Flight Sergeant Barry Day from Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office is presented his fifth clasp to his long service medal by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicole Thomson-Pride. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Maintaining aircraft for 40 years

27/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1572 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, Federation Star

When Flight Sergeant Barry Day enlisted in the RAAF in June 1984, Air Force still operated basic piston engine aircraft

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2077 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton; Saskia Hobbs and Reverend Mark Perry take part in the lighting of the candle ceremony. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Lighting a candle for fallen aviators on London trip

19/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2632 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, RAF, United Kingdom

Australia’s new Chief of Air Force has embarked on his first overseas trip, arriving in London for a series of

Victorian Governor Margaret Elaine Gardner, right, presents the daughter of Pilot Officer David Taylor, Margaret Ekberg, with his Medal for Gallantry for heroism in PNG during WW2. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering heroism 82 years on

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1289 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Their mission was as dangerous as any during World War 2, and more than 80 years after coming down in

First flight in A8-144 F111 for pilot WGCDR Errol McCormack. Story by Flying Officer Shan Galappatthy.

ADF People Lest We Forget

Farewell to a distinguished Air Force leader

08/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1767 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

Air Force has honoured a former Chief of Air Force, retired Air Marshal Errol McCormack, who passed away in early

Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton (L) and Royal Australian Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman shake hands at the 80 Squadron re-formation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photos by USAF Samuel King Jr.

News Royal Australian Air Force UK USA

Two air forces re-form an 80 Squadron together

03/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3401 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, No. 80 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

In a significant move for allied air capability, the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force have re-formed their

Leading Aircraftman Connor Bourn from Australia's Federation Guard participates in the Catafalque Party during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller

ADF People Lest We Forget

Strengthening Anzac and PNG bonds – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1216 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Dawn broke across Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wreath-laying and the playing of the

Four RAAF 100 Squadron Beaufort Bombers head for Wewak, North New Guinea, in 1945. Photo provided by the Australian War Memorial / OG3365

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Missing World War II bomber and crew found

17/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3109 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Royal Australian Air Force has positively identified a 100 Squadron World War II Beaufort aircraft (A9-186), first reported missing in

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman, left and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, right, present the Enlisted Aviator of the Year Award to Corporal Kbora Ali. Story by Flying Officer Kate Kiely. Photos by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Chief of Air Force Proficiency and Leadership awards

12/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2300 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

One Australian Public Service employee, four aviators and six units were recipients of the Chief of Air Force (CAF) Proficiency

Then Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies, left, presents Warrant Officer Wayne Newman with his second clasp to the Federation Star for 45 years’ service in the RAAF in 2016. Story by Corporal Madhur Chitnis. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History

Serenity now: it’s all about attitude

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1494 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

A lecture from his mother about not cleaning people’s toilets forever prompted 15-year-old Wayne, then an apprentice plumber, to join

An F-35A Lightning II from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron during sunset at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Historic Australian first for Japan’s F-35As

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3896 Views 1 Comment Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A warm Northern Territory welcome greeted the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on the first international deployment of its F-35A

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chipman addresses the crowd at the Global Air and Space Chief’s Conference in London. Photo: Royal Air Force. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People

Strengthening our readiness

28/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2272 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chipman recently addressed the Global Air and Space Chief’s Conference in London, declaring

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