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CONTACT magazine

F-35A Lightning II

F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit fly over the Northern Territory during Exercise Rogue Ambush 21-1. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred and Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

Next generation of Top Guns to strike in Top End Storm

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2837 Views 0 Comments Delamere Air Weapons Range, Exercise Diamond Storm, F-35A Lightning II, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Tindal

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Exercise Diamond Storm 22 will be held in the skies above the Northern Territory from

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Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nick O'Connor. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

Air show pilot talks us through his F-35A display

26/05/202227/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2695 Views 0 Comments Air Show, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit

Defence has a long and proud history of showcasing its cutting-edge assets and highly skilled personnel at public events throughout

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Three Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No. 77 Squadron prior to mid-air refueling over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Cope North 22. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo: Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.
Japan News Royal Australian Air Force USA 

Integrated flying at its finest

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3071 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 2 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, USAF

Combat and airspace battle management aircraft ruled the skies over Guam during Exercise Cope North 22, executing multinational missions. CAPTION:

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Air Force aircraft technician Sergeant Steven Grant, left, and airfield defence guard Leading Aircraftman Jason Grant, who are also father and son, catch up during Exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.
ADF People 

Father-son duo together on exercise

23/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2715 Views 1 Comment Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, No. 77 Squadron

In a fitting tribute before retiring after 27 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Sergeant Steven

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Australia's first two F-35As to be based on home soil – A35-009 and A35-010 – arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Brian Hartigan.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

RAAF denies problems with F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

17/02/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3414 Views 3 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld has released a formal statement in response to media reports claiming that

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Air Force aviator Flight Sergeant Damian Gardiner was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his work helping to introduce the F-35 Lightning II into service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.
ADF People 

Lightning strikes for RAAF technician

26/01/202229/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2239 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sergeant Damian Gardiner’s extraordinary technical ability and interpersonal skills were recognised on this year’s Australia

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One of latest F-35A Lightning II aircraft (A35-040) arrives back to RAAF Base WIlliamtown after ferrying from the United States. Story by Alisha Welch. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.
News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry 

Contract supports F-35A maintenance and supply

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2373 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Tindal, RAAF Williamtown

Defence recently signed a five-year contract with BAE Systems Australia for the provision of support to Royal Australian Air Force

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Armament Technicians from No. 3 Squadron, load a new Australian manufactured Bomb Live Unit (BLU 111) configured as a Guided Bomb Unit (GBU-12) onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft A35-040 at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

Homemade warheads introduced into service

20/01/202223/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3249 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, MQ-9B Sky Guardian, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Sovereign sustainability has taken a leap, with No. 81 Wing accepting and successfully expending the first Australian manufactured BLU-111(AUS)B/B. CAPTION:

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

World F-35 fleet continues to grow

04/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2924 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter

Lockheed Martin completed another successful year as the F-35 program continued to expand its global footprint and enhance operational capabilities.

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An F-35A Lighting II aircraft performs an aerial display at the 2021 Wings Over Illawarra Airshow in New South Wales. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.
History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

Spectacular display on NSW south coast

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2226 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18A/B Hornets, Wings Over Illawarra

From the extreme roar of jet engines to the gentle purr of pistons, aircraft criss-crossed the skies above the south

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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.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force 

First routine F-35 engine maintenance in Australia

20/07/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3894 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Australia’s defence industry continues to fly high with a key milestone reached in the maintenance of the RAAF’s new F-35 fighter jets.

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A35-009 taxis through a fence at its home compound at RAAF Base Williamtown for the first time on 10 December 2018. Photo by Brian Hartigan.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force 

RAAF F-35A damaged in Williamtown ground incident

09/03/202019/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 9031 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II

Defence is investigating an incident at RAAF Base Williamtown that left an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter with ‘minor damage’ last

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Six RAAF F-35A Lightning Its are expected to make touch-and-go landings at Richmond on 26 February 2020.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

F-35A at Richmond – 26 Feb 2020

25/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2599 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Six Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from RAAF Base Williamtown will conduct diversion training into RAAF Base Richmond on 26 Feb 2020.

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A Pratt and Whitney F135 Engine being removed from A35-017 at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

First homegrown F-35A engine removal

25/02/202025/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6331 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II

The first removal of an F135 engine from an F-35A Lightning II by a Royal Australian Air Force unit happened RAAF Base Williamtown recently.

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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.
Australian Europe News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology USA 

Aus/UK open splinter F-35 Reprogramming Laboratory

25/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4175 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Australia and the UK have officially opened an Australian and United Kingdom F-35 Reprogramming Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

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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.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

RAAF F-35A begins flying ops from Williamtown

22/01/201922/01/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5623 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

F-35As begin flying operations near RAAF Base Williamtown this week, scheduled from 21 to 25 January. FILE PHOTO (10 December

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Australia's first two F-35As to be based on home soil – A35-009 and A35-010 – arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Brian Hartigan.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Videos 

F-35 Lightning touches down at Williamtown

10/12/201803/02/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4362 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter

The first two of 72 Australian F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighters to be based in Australia have landed at RAAF Base Williamtown.

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F-35A deployable cabin
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

First F-35A deployable cabins delivered

22/11/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4066 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, Lockheed Martin, Varley

The first two of 15 Lockheed Martin Australia F-35A deployable cabins critical to successful Joint Strike Fighter operations have been delivered to the Australian

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Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, A35-009, taking off from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. USAF photo.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force 

Australia grounds its F-35 fleet

13/10/201814/10/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3863 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

The ABC is reporting that Australia has grounded its fleet of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters in America following

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Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, A35-009, taking off from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. USAF photo.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

Australia’s first F-35 coming soon

13/09/201813/09/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5396 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

A35-009 – the first F-35A for the Royal Australian Air Force scheduled to be delivered to Australia in December –

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