No. 1 Squadron – CONTACT magazine

A RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight line at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during Exercise Thai Boomerang. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

That’s a wrap for Thai Boomerang 2025

24/09/202524/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3287 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force, Thailand

Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025 has come to an end with a closing ceremony at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force’s 1 Squadron at the opening ceremony of Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

Asia Australian Border Force News

Thai Boomerang flies back to Thailand

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3072 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force

More than 500 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are taking part

A RAAF 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet pilot, weapons systems officer and ground crew member meet for pre-flight checks during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 in Nevada, US. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Enhanced teamwork for technicians in Nevada

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2600 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and

Australian Army Joint Tactical Attack Controllers from 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery observe round impacts during Exercise Nigrum Pugio with RAAF at Townsville Field Training Area, Townsville, Queensland. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Trooper Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Refining call-in of targeted attacks

20/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2245 Views 0 Comments 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Exercise Nigrum Pugio, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

A pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets roar overhead as a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) on the ground radios through

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft drops a bomb at the Townsville Field Training Area as part of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course live-fire serials during Exercise Black Dagger 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Black Dagger 24 right on target

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 5760 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Dagger, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Townsville

Royal Australian Air Force personnel called in weapons strikes from air combat aircraft and artillery units during Exercise Black Dagger

Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin, right, is presented with his 4000th Hornet hour patch by Officer Commanding 82 Wing, Group Captain Paul Jarvis, at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Second pilot hits 4000 hours in Hornets

17/10/202422/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2079 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Senior Fighter Combat Instructor Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin has racked up 4000 flying hours in the Hornet – the second

Aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field for the Air Combat Group versus Air Mobility Group ‘SGT Michael Ball Memorial’ match. Story by Lieutenant Katrina Thomasson. Photos by Aircraftman Sanghyun Shin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Footy match for a fallen friend

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2136 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), Air Mobility Group (AMG), No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

It was a football game full of heart as aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field to raise

Aviators from 1 Squadron, Flight Lieutenants Nick and Slade, with a F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley prepare for their flying display. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photo byCorporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force Videos

From spectators to Riverfire stars

03/09/202407/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4462 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, Riverfire

Two aviators who grew up in south-east Queensland fulfilled childhood dreams of flying in Brisbane’s most iconic event – Riverfire

A F/A-18F Super Hornet from 1 Squadron conducts a low-level flypast over Cairns Esplanade, enthralling the local community during Exercise Crimson Dawn. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Jonathan Williams.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air power on display in north Queensland

12/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2598 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron

Air power has been on display in north Queensland, with additional flying activity taking place through the region, including on

Armament technicians from 1 Squadron load an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile onto an F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Aircraftwoman Vanessa Wang.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Top-down teamwork readies aircraft for combat

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2239 Views 1 Comment AGM-84 Harpoon, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron

As part of 1 Squadron’s rolling 12-month armament training, their armament technicians loaded AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles to F/A-18F Super

Armament technicians from 1 Squadron load a GBU-16 on to an F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Crimson Dawn 23-2. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Having a blast on Crimson Dawn

06/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2315 Views 0 Comments Delamere Air Weapons Range, Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, GBU-16, GBU-31v4 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal

Aircraft armament technicians known as “gunnies” from 1 Squadron loaded the F/A-18F Super Hornet with weapons during Exercise Crimson Dawn

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from 1 Squadron takes off from RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Crimson Dawn. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Crimson Dawn fills Tindal skies

05/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2195 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, Weapon Systems Officers (WSO)

Exercise Crimson Dawn brought 1 Squadron Training Flight to RAAF Base Tindal, graduating Weapon Systems Officers (WSO) on the F/A-18F

Armament fitters from 1 Squadron, Leading Aircraftman Ethan Collingwood, left, and Aircraftwoman Hunter Glover, loading rounds into an ammunition loader at the bomb preparation area at RAAF Base Townsville during Exercise Black Dagger. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photo by Corporal Brett Sheriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Gunnies on target during Exercise Black Dagger

24/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2236 Views 0 Comments Exercise Black Dagger, No. 1 Squadron

Aircraft Armament Technicians or ‘gunnies’ from 1 Squadron demonstrated their skill and team expertise at Exercise Black Dagger in the

RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet and Republic of Singapore Air Force, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15SG Strike Eagle aircraft fly in formation over Singapore. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Super Hornets in Singapore

06/10/202308/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3308 Views 0 Comments F-16, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)

At the invitation of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), 1 Squadron deployed F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and supporting

RAAF Wing Commander Sean Hamilton and Royal Thai Air Force Group Captain Sithipol Pomtri pass gifts to students during Exercise Thai Boomerang. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF aviators a big hit at Thai school

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2621 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, No. 1 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aviators swapped the flightline for the school oval while deployed

A RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from 1 Squadron taxiing after a sortie during Exercise Thai Boomerang 23 at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF’s successful fighter-jet exercise in Thailand

01/09/202305/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3438 Views 0 Comments Exercise Thai Boomerang, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force, Thailand

RAAF personnel and aircraft have left Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, having completed a successful fighter jet exercise

The Royal Australian Air Force aerobatic team, the Roulettes, fly past crowds at the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Aerobatics wow crowds at Pacific Airshow

01/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2947 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster III, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, PC-21, RAAF Amberley, Roulettes

From the extreme roar of jet engines to the gentle purr of pistons, military and civilian aircraft criss-crossed the sky

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 2743 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

Two F/A-18F Super Hornets from No. 1 Squadron A44-211 (left) and A44-218, depart RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flying Officer Robert Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

New Super Hornet crews graduate

25/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3394 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

The Royal Australian Air Force’s latest F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews completed their operational conversion training late last year. CAPTION: Two

Squadron Leader Anthony Gesualdi, from the Surveillance and Response Systems Program Office at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, wearing his Federation Star awarded for 40 years’ service. Story by Leading Aircraftwoman Jasna McFeeters. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

ADF People

Like father, like daughter

06/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3457 Views 0 Comments Accordion, No. 1 Squadron

With a career in logistics management spanning more than 40 years, Squadron Leader Anthony Gesualdi said he was proud to

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