F-35A Lightning II Archives - CONTACT magazine

2000th F-35 pilot fitted with custom flight ensemble

19/03/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 768 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

In a significant milestone for the Joint Strike Fighter Programme and leading survival-technology company Survitec, the 2000th F-35 pilot has been

Soldiers from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire historical M2A2 105mm howitzers as part of a re-enactment during the bombing of Darwin commemorative service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Remembering the day WW2 hit Darwin

22/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 843 Views 0 Comments 8th/12th Regiment, Darwin NT, F-35A Lightning II, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Maryborough, No. 75 Squadron, WWII

ADF personnel commemorated the 81st anniversary of the first bombing of Darwin at a service hosted by the city on

Gunners from the 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in action during the 21-gun salute as part of the Australia Day celebrations at Bradfield Park, Sydney. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Splash of Red (Beret) and guns in Sydney’s Australia Day

27/01/202327/01/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 917 Views 0 Comments 9th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, ADF Red Berets, Australia Day, F-35A Lightning II, HMAS Sydney, MH-60R Seahawk, Roulettes

The Australian Defence Force put on spectacular displays in and around Sydney Harbour for Australia Day. CAPTION: Gunners from the 9th

A wooden mock-up of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in Canadian markings at the Classic Air Rallye, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa. Photo by Ahunt, via Wikimedia.

News Overseas

Canada joins F-35 club

10/01/202310/01/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1393 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to never buy F-35, the Government of Canada yesterday signed a contract to procure

Outgoing Commander Air Combat Group Air Commodore Tim Alsop (left) congratulates the incoming Commanding Officer, Air Commodore Pete Robinson, on officially taking over command during the hand-over and take-over parade at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photos by Corporal Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Ready to take on new challenges

21/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 189 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), EA-18G Growler, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Williamtown

The challenges overcome and successes achieved by Air Combat Group (ACG) were recognised at a ceremony commemorating the change in leadership

RAAF F-35A Lightning II and RSAF, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15SG Strike Eagle aircraft above Singapore. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

First trip to Singapore for fighter jets

07/12/202208/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1001 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II made its debut in Singapore, visiting Paya Lebar Air Base late last

Logistics Officer, Flying Officer Jeremy Heath in front of an F-35A Lightning II at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Keeping jets in the air

01/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 201 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Williamtown

Flying Officer Jeremy Heath works at the forefront of Australia’s defence capability, sourcing parts for the nation’s expanding fleet of

Personnel from 75 Squadron in front of two F-35As at RMAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning joins Malaysian homecoming

25/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1239 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, F-35A Lightning II, No. 35 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RMAF, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

Deploying internationally for the first time since transitioning to the F-35A Lightning II, 75 Squadron has returned to its old

Personnel from 19 Squadron and 35 Squadron refuel a C-27J Spartan at RMAF Butterworth Air Base, Malaysia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Projecting airpower from South-East Asia

25/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 662 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Exercise Elangaroo, F-35A Lightning II, No. 19 Squadron, RMAF, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

This year, RAAF’s 19 Squadron played a vital role in the success of Exercise Elangaroo 22, hosting nearly 200 personnel

Corporal Chris Piper conducts a test of an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Elangaroo 22 at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, Malaysia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

ADF People

Aviator searches for the invisible

25/11/202226/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 329 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elangaroo, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

For 75 Squadron non-destructive inspections (NDI) technician, Corporal Chris Piper, there is more to the F-35A Lightning II than meets

An Air Force C-130J Hercules at the Wings Over Illawarra air show 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O’Connor. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

RAAF wows Illawarra air-show crowds

18/11/202222/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 440 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, C-130J Hercules, DHC-4 Caribou, EC-135, F-35A Lightning II, Military Working Dogs, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, Roulettes, Wings Over Illawarra

The might of Australian military aviation was on show at the 2022 Wings Over Illawarra Air Show, held at Shellharbour

Joint Strike fighter A35-11 departs for a night sortie from RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force

Government pays BAE to expand F-35 maintenance capacity

03/11/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 909 Views 0 Comments BAE Syatems, F-35A Lightning II

The Australian government has signed a Facility Services Deed worth more than $100 million with BAE Systems Australia to expand

Philippine Air Force members work with RAAF Combat Controllers from 4 Squadron during Close Air Support training activities at Salt Ash Air Weapons Range near RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Sergeant Josa Kohler. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces share skills on Ex Havoc Strike

26/10/202228/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 788 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Havoc Strike, F-35A Lightning II, Hawk-127, No. 4 Squadron, No. 76 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Williamtown

This year’s Exercise Havoc Strike, 4 Squadron’s premier close-air support exercise, included the participation of members from the Philippine Air

Australia's newest F-35A Lightning II aircraft A35-053 and A35-054 arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, at the end of their ferry flight during exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology USA Videos

Four more F-35s delivered to Australia

17/09/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1586 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3 was conducted from 24 August to 2 September 2022, seeing the arrival of four more F-35A

Craftsman Amber Toner, left, and Craftsman Cameron Powell, from 1st Aviation Regiment, with Emily and Oliver Taaffe and a 70mm rocket from the Tiger helicopter during the Exercise Pitch Black open day at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Up close with personnel and their flying machines

07/09/202207/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 514 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II, Open Day RAAF Darwin, RAAF Darwin

Crowds have flocked to see aircraft and meet personnel from Australian and international air forces at the Exercise Pitch Black

Chief of the German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz. Story by Flight Lieutenants Jessica Aldred and Steve Reutter.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

German Eurofighter’s Australian debut

16/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1340 Views 4 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II

The German Air Force, known as the Luftwaffe, will participate in Exercise Pitch Black for the first time. CAPTION: Chief

An Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Arnhem Thunder, held at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

News Royal Australian Air Force

A forecast of Lightning for Pitch Black

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 838 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75, RAAF Darwin

Dominating the skies of the Northern Territory, the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II will participate in Exercise

US Marines with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin load an MV-22 Osprey during an airfield seizure event at RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Koolendong 2022. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Corporal Cedar Barnes.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Koolendong strengthens Aust/US partnership

29/07/202203/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1384 Views 1 Comment Exercise Koolendong, F-35A Lightning II, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, RAAF Curtin, RAAF Darwin

More than 2200 personnel from the Australian Defence Force and US armed forces recently conducted Exercise Koolendong 2022, a combined

No. 75 Squadrons Colour Party prepare to receive the new Squadron's Standard at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Once a magpie, always a magpie

13/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1273 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

In commemorating 80 years of operational service, No. 75 Squadron celebrated with a F-35A Lightning II display, Squadron Standards consecration

Aircrew from No. 1 and No. 6 squadrons on the flightline at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Storm passes to reveal gems of instructors

24/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1098 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, Exercise Diamond Storm, F-35A Lightning II, No. 4 Squadron, No. 88 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon

The largest Royal Australian Air Force Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) to date, which culminated in Exercise Diamond Storm 2022,

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