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CONTACT magazine

F-35A Lightning II

A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 is refuelled by a RAAF 33 Squadron KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft over the Pacific ocean in transit to Australia. Photo: USMC Corporal Nicholas Johnson
News Royal Australian Air Force 

RAAF and USMC F-35s train together in NT

12/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 6307 Views 0 Comments 33 Squadron, Exercise Magpie Lightning, F-35A Lightning II, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal, USMC

The skies over the Northern Territory came alive with different variants of the F-35 Lightning II in May and June

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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 3294 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

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Leading Aircraftwoman Indianna Biles and Leading Aircraftwoman Olivia Jacobs conduct a stocktake prior to sealing the container holding the spares pack, ready for transportation to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

F-35A readiness boosted with deployed spares pack

20/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3504 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

A team of aviators have successfully built a second deployed spares pack for the F-35A Lightning II, enhancing supply-chain resilience

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A RAAF F-35A Lightning II pilot gives the thumbs up during Exercise Red Flag Nellis in Nevada, US. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.
News Royal Australian Air Force USA 

F-35s fly back from Nevada

02/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3004 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 has concluded after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training at Nevada and airspace in

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One of the first two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighters flies overhead RAAF Base Williamtown on delivery day. Photo by Brian Hartigan.
News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry 

Newcastle set to become regional F-35 servicing hub

01/01/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3803 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Hunter Region’s future as the Indo-Pacific hub for sustainment of F-35 Lightning II aircraft has been secured after the Australian

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An F-35A Lightning II arriving at RAAF Base Townsville ready to participate in Exercise High Sierra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

New pilots challenged on High Sierra

05/12/202311/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2193 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Williamtown

RAAF personnel and aircraft were deployed to RAAF Base Townsville to conduct the final phase of Exercise High Sierra at

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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 1492 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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Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II's from 75 Squadron fly with two TNI-AU F-16 Fighting Falcons during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.
Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

RAAF F-35s in Indonesia

06/10/202308/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3179 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elang Ausindo, F-16, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, TNI-AU

RAAF aircrew have built confidence sharing knowledge and developing tactics with their Indonesian counterparts. CAPTION: Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II’s from

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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 3864 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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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 1996 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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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 3785 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

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News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force 

F-35s’ big role in Philippines exercise

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3662 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, C-130J Hercules, E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Alon, F-35A Lightning II, Philippines, US Marines

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a critical force enabler during Exercise Alon, with the E-7A Wedgetail and F-35A

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A United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft, from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (Black Knights), departs from RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

US Black Knights mix with RAAF’s best

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2325 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force

Known as the ‘Black Knights’, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) made RAAF Base

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Corporal Hannah Graham winds in the earthing cable before heading out to refuel. Story b y Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.
ADF People 

Refuelling fast jets in record time

19/07/202323/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1859 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

As a wave of eight fast jets land, Corporal Hannah Graham dispatches tankers to refuel the aircraft – enabling redeployment

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An Air Force Hawk 127 and F-35A Lightning II prepare to take off during Exercise High Sierra at RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by LAC Ryan Howell.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

New F-35 pilots graduate

04/07/202305/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2387 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

Exercise High Sierra is back gracing Townsville airspace once again, following a two-year hiatus, to graduate the latest cadre of

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A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducts a flypast over HMAS Sydney during Exercise Tasman Shield. Photo by Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden.
News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy 

RAAF and RAN benefit from joint Exercise Tasman Shield

05/04/202308/04/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2985 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, HMAS Sydney, Tasman Shield

A major exercise that tested the ability of the Royal Australian Air Force and Navy to work together has concluded

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News Science & Technology USA 

2000th F-35 pilot fitted with custom flight ensemble

19/03/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3017 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

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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 2828 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

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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 3189 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

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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 3088 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

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