Middle East Archives - CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Curtis Bachmann deployed as part of the Field Installation Team (FIT) for Operation Accordion conducts equipment familiarisation training at Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

Building connections in the Middle East

07/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 971 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Accordion

With six trades from 13 units, a field installation team is wiring critical networks in the Middle East. CAPTION: Royal Australian

The Royal Australian Navy medical team deployed on active service to Iraq. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Jake Badior.

History Middle East News Royal Australian Navy

Sub-lieutenant captures history

29/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1102 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

After more than 10 years, the last ADF servicemen and women deployed under Operation Okra left the Middle East late

Army's Corporal Samuel Smith is grateful for the experience to deploy to Bahrain on Operation Manitou. Story by Lieutenant Ben Page.

ADF People Overseas

Army signaller excels in maritime operations

25/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1755 Views 0 Comments 1st Signal Regiment, Combined Maritime Forces, Middle East, Operation Manitou

When Corporal Samuel Smith, of the Army’s 1st Signal Regiment, found out he was deploying on Operation Manitou, he didn’t

The Headquarters Middle East Anzac Day memorial following the dawn service. Story. and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Keeping traditions alive in the Middle East – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 967 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, Middle East, PTSD

Deployed servicemen and women in the Middle East gathered before first light to mark 109 years since the Gallipoli landings

Maintenance crew from a RAAF KC-30A conduct checks on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, before an assisted-departure flight to Dubai. Photos by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

Middle East News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

ADF support for Israel departures

19/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2201 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Israel, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Middle East, Operation Beech

CAPTION: Maintenance crew from a RAAF KC-30A conduct checks on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, before an assisted-departure

Australian Army Captain Caleb Sinclair, deployed to the Middle East on Operation Accordion. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People

Missing family traditions while on deployment

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2084 Views 0 Comments Camp Baird, Middle East, Operation Accordion

This year more than ever, Captain Caleb Sinclair wished he could be home for Christmas. CAPTION: Australian Army Captain Caleb

Corporal Tamika Brinkley, a command support clerk from the Army Personnel Administrative Centre - South Queensland. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People

Christmas with new ‘family’ on deployment

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1732 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Accordion

Each Christmas, Corporal Tamika Brinkley and her family visit her grandmother’s resting place at Bega cemetery on the south-east coast

Leading Aircraftman Chris Nguyen, who is deployed on Operation Accordion, will be at Camp Baird in the Middle East for Christmas. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People

Cooking up a different kind of Christmas

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1062 Views 0 Comments Middle East, no. 1 Combat Communication Squadron, Operation Accordion, RAAF Edinburgh

For Leading Aircraftman Chris Nguyen, December 25th evokes memories of sticky rice and pork rather than Christmas trees and presents.

Royal Australian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Andrew Harrigan speaks to guests during the Sir Ross Smith commemorative service held at St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide. Photo by Sergeant Murray Staff.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Distinguished military aviator honoured

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1991 Views 0 Comments Middle East, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh

One of Australia’s most distinguished military aviators, Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, was honoured at a commemorative service held at St

Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force personnel stand by the cenotaph after the Anzac Day commemorations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Story and photo by Captain Edward Pym.

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

How Anzac Day was commemorated in the Middle East

28/04/202228/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2279 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Middle East

Following a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19 restrictions, Anzac Day was commemorated in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on April

Australian Army Sergeant Alexander Landel in the Joint Task Force 633 post office, while deployed to Operation Accordion in the Middle East region. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy,

ADF People

Mail provides a boost to morale

26/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1752 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Accordion

Advances in technology continue to offer a range of options for ADF members to communicate with loved ones while on

Squadron Leader Brendon Knopke performs for military personnel deployed on Operation Accordion. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Videos

Guitar hero: boosting morale with music

23/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1903 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Accordion

For Squadron Leader Brendon Knopke, one constant over his 28-year ADF career has been playing the guitar. CAPTION: Squadron Leader

Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer (PO) Mark ‘Butts’ Butler (left) and Australian Army Signaller (SIG) James ‘Devs’ Devlin work together to produce a weekly podcast while deployed in the Middle East region. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Videos

Sessions in the sand

13/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1690 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Accordion

Two information systems technicians are ensuring all ADF members deployed on Operation Accordion in the Middle East are regularly enjoying a

Australian Army Vehicle Mechanic Lance Corporal Timothy Pates in front of a protective mobility vehicle prepared for deep clean at Australia's main operating base in the Middle East. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

Australian Army Videos

Preparing deployed Protected Mobility Vehicles for return to Australia

20/10/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2565 Views 0 Comments Middle East

A small team of Australian Army Vehicle Mechanics and Technicians deployed on Operation Accordion in the Middle East Region performed

Australian News Operations Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Arunta home after record long deployment

23/07/201728/07/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4187 Views 0 Comments Combined Maritime Forces Middle East, HMAS Arunta, Middle East

HMAS Arunta has arrived home to Western Australia after a very successful and longer-than-usual nine-month Middle East deployment. Hundreds of

A 480th Fighter Squadron "Warhawks" F-16C flies alongside after refuelling from a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport air-to-air refuelling aircraft over the Middle East Region. Photo by Corporal Nicci Freeman

Australian News Operations Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

KC-30A successfully refuels multi-role F-16

19/08/201619/08/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4506 Views 0 Comments Middle East, MRTT, Okra

The operational capability of the Royal Australian Air Force’s KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport fleet has taken another important step

Minister for Defence Marise Payne addresses Australian Defence Force and civilian personnel at Camp Baird in the Middle East Region. Photo by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

Australian News Operations

Defence Minister visits troops in Middle East

11/08/201613/08/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4674 Views 1 Comment Accordion, Marise Payne, Middle East, Okra

Minister for Defence Marise Payne has visited Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan and the Middle East to acknowledge their

New Zealand News Operations

RNZDF Air Transport team get down to work in Middle East

23/06/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3648 Views 0 Comments Middle East, RNZAF

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft has completed its first set of sustainment flights to Afghanistan

Australian News Operations Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth departs for Middle East

07/06/201609/06/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4339 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Manitou

HMAS Perth today set course and departed the HMAS Stirling naval base at Rockingham, Western Australia, for her first operational deployment to the Middle

HMAS Melbourne arrives at the naval support in Bahrain for replenishment for her voyage home. Photo by corporal Mark Doran.

Australian News Operations Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Melbourne ends eighth Middle East deployment

11/02/201612/02/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3997 Views 0 Comments HMAS Melbourne, Middle East

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne is returning home to Australia after completing more than 50 boarding operations and seizing almost a

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