HMAS Canberra – CONTACT magazine

An Army protective mobility vehicle departs a light landing craft for a beach landing during Exercise Wader. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photo by Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners.

Amphibious force storms Queensland beach

13/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 865 Views 0 Comments AAF, Exercise Wader, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Choules

More than 1000 soldiers, sailors and aviators aboard HMA Ships Canberra and Choules participated in Exercise Wader last month, to validate the ADF’s

HMAS Canberra personnel attend to a simulated casualty during a crash-on-deck exercise while transiting off the coast of Queensland ahead of Exercise Sea Wader. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photo by Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Training turns pressure into precision

13/03/202613/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 599 Views 0 Comments Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), Exercise Sea Wader, HMAS Canberra, Medical Operational Health Unit (MOHU)

Rotor wash tears across the flight deck as a helicopter settles into position. CAPTION: HMAS Canberra personnel attend to a

Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners performs a dead lift during the Fit Games hosted by HMAS Canberra off the coast of Queensland as the ship prepares for Exercise Sea Wader. Story by Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners. Photos by Seaman Genae Kelly.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Fit to wade in and reset

05/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 422 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra

Soldiers and sailors competed in HMAS Canberra’s Fit Games during a recent transit off the east coast of Queensland. CAPTION: Able Seaman

HMAS Canberra crew are joined by families and guests on the flight deck for a whole ship photo off the NSW coast. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

News Royal Australian Navy

All aboard for Defence families

03/12/202503/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1657 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra

HMAS Canberra played host to more than 300 family members and guests for a rare weekend at sea, off the coast of

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

HIMARS proves to be shipshape

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1719 Views 0 Comments 54th Siege Battery, Fleet Base East, HIMARS, HMAS Canberra

It’s not the normal place you would expect to find Army’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), but it turns

Funeral Guard members, left to right, Leading Seaman Lindsey Young, Able Seaman Jake Clarke and Leading Seaman Bella Cummins, carry the coffin of Leading Stoker Des Jones, as Navy Chaplain David Hastie follows. Story by Lieutenant Commander Ben Robson. Photos by Lance Corporal Joseph Hess.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Last living link to tragedy of HMAS Canberra I

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4907 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), WWII

On a still and cloudy afternoon, Leading Stoker Des Jones was laid to rest, carried to his gravesite on the

Personnel from the French Armed Forces and Australian Army embark HMAS Choules in Townsville, Queensland, in preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy Talisman Sabre

Amphibious forces embark for Talisman Sabre 2025

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3912 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, French Armed Forces, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Choules

Preparing for the embarkation and transportation of hundreds of people is no easy task, but for the Australian Amphibious Force

A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 aircraft lands on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra off the coast of Queensland. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Royal Australian Navy

Canberra’s crew tested for Talisman Sabre

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1964 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Maritime Operational Health Unit, Sea Training Group

‘Beep, beep, beep’ booms through the ship’s intercom system, also known as a pipe, as a voice calls out “brace

Ship's company of HMAS Canberra exercise their freedom-of-entry through the streets of Wellington, New Zealand, during HMAS Canberra's port visit. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Petty Officer Jarrod Mulvihill.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Navy

Sister cities bond during parade

13/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3283 Views 0 Comments Freedom of Entry, HMAS Canberra, New Zealand, RNZN

The cold wind couldn’t put a chill on the welcome in Wellington for HMAS Canberra’s freedom-of-entry parade and civic reception.

Members of HMAS Canberra's Standing Sea Fire and Emergency Party conduct damage control training with Chief Petty Officer Andrew Gibson from Sea Training Group during a transit to Wellington, New Zealand. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Petty Officer Jarrod Mulvihill.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

First responders in seaborne damage control drills

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2472 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Sea Training Group

HMAS Canberra crew became their own first responders in damage control exercises off the coast of NSW, en route to

Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving Mr Watkins' life, and receive a tour of the ship while alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Training saves life of tourist in trouble

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2787 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

“Without their help … I wouldn’t be here.” CAPTION: Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving

HMAS Canberra personnel conduct a freedom-of-entry parade through Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Canberra exercises Freedom of Entry in capital

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4535 Views 3 Comments Freedom of Entry, HMAS Canberra, WWII

Steady rainfall and gloomy skies did not dampen spirits as Navy personnel paraded through Canberra on 30 November in a

Apprentice technicians from the Technical Training Faculty are given a tour of technical infrastructure aboard HMAS Canberra as part of the new Navy apprentice technician experience tour. Photos by Peter Loncar.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy Videos

Navy apprentices gain valuable insight

07/06/202407/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3098 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Cerberus

Fourteen apprentice electronics and marine technicians recently embarked on a tour of Fleet Base East and naval establishments in Sydney.

Able Seaman Peter Mason demonstrates fire-fighting hose techniques onboard HMAS Arunta during Fleet Base East's open day, Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies. Photos by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson.

News Royal Australian Navy

Sydney families flock to Navy Week open day

01/03/202408/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3166 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Kuttabul, Navy Week

A record number of visitors attended Fleet Base East’s open day in Sydney on February 25, with more than 8000

United States marines board an Omni Air International flight departing from RAAF Base Darwin, NT. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News

Marines bid farewell to Darwin

19/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3428 Views 0 Comments Exercise Alon, HADR, HMAS Canberra, MRF-D, MV-22 Osprey, US Marines

After six months of exercises with the ADF and a range of partner nations, the 12th iteration of the Marine

A ground combat element made up of ADF personnel, US Marines and Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers on completion of a combined amphibious assault exercise during Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhasset.

Australian Army News Overseas

The kings of close contact

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3807 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, M1A1 Abrams

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and Armed Forces of the Philippines amphibious assault vehicles worked alongside each other during

The HMAS Canberra medical team and Philippine Navy participants of the Maritime Resuscitation Casualty Care Training on board HMAS Canberra during Exercise Alon 2023. Photo by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Building a warfighting medical capability

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2803 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra

Armed Forces of the Philippines medical team members have been awarded certificates for completing the bespoke Maritime Resuscitation Casualty Care

From left, RAN Able Seaman Marc Moyo, Philippine Marine Corps Master Sergeant Vincente Carubanga Jr, Australian Army Private Melanio Sager, RAN Medical Officer Lieutenant Phil Salinas and Philippine Navy Apprentice Seaman Cedrick Marcelo on HMAS Canberra near Manila, Philippines, during Exercise Alon. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People

Reconnecting with family in the Philippines

05/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2684 Views 0 Comments Exercise Alon, HMAS Canberra, Philippines

Australians with Filipino heritage on board HMAS Canberra were excited to step off in Manila to reconnect with family. CAPTION: From

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 5244 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

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 3956 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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