No. 3 Squadron Archives - CONTACT magazine

Aircraft technician Corporal Samuel Perrin, of 3 Squadron, conducts acceptance testing on the Integrated Training Centre F-35A engine training aids received from the US. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Cath Kelly.

Hands-on aids boost F-35A maintenance

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1327 Views 0 Comments F-35A Maintenance, Integrated Training Centre (ITC), No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown

Aviation technicians will be able to hone their skills on the most accurate F-35A maintenance training aids, with the arrival

Air Force aircraft technician Corporal Leigh Gammie discusses the F-35A Lightning II aircraft with veterans from the Merewether Hamilton Adamstown RSL sub-Branch at 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History News Royal Australian Air Force

RSL meets today’s RAAF

20/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 953 Views 0 Comments No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, RSL

Members of the Mereweather-Hamilton-Adamstown Returned and Services League (RSL) Sub-Branch attended RAAF Base Williamtown in May to experience today’s Royal

Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, of 25 Squadron, and Squadron Leader James Wheeler, of 3 Squadron, speak with Eliwana mine staff during a visit to Eliwana airport in the Pilbara region of WA. Story and photos by Stephanie Hallen.

News Royal Australian Air Force

F-35s visit Pilbara

02/10/202405/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1493 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, No. 25 Squadron, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

You wouldn’t typically expect to see F-35A Lightning II aircraft flying around in some of the most remote parts of

Angus, from the Starlight Children’s Foundation, tries on an F-35A helmet with the help of Corporal Daniel Lake, a 3 Squadron life support fitter, at the Pitch Black open day at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF helps make a wish come true

02/08/202406/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1502 Views 0 Comments Community Engagement, Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, Starlight Children’s Foundation

The Royal Australian Air Force has teamed up with international partners and the Starlight Children’s Foundation to grant the wish

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 5194 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

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 2145 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

From left, Flight Sergeant Aaron Absolon with Hunter Legacy Youth member Alex Hobson, Victoria Hopkins and President Paul Rees during a tour of the F-35A Lightning II at 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Legacy torch relay shines light on RAAF gift

11/10/202315/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1400 Views 0 Comments Legacy, No. 3 Squadron

A passionate aviator from 3 Squadron has orchestrated a large donation to help local Hunter families. CAPTION: From left, Flight Sergeant

Aircraftwoman Selena Smith at the 2022 Wings Over Illawarra Airshow. Story by Captain Sarah Vesey. Photo by LAC Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People

Graduate flying high with Air Force

16/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1259 Views 0 Comments Drone Racing, Gap Year program, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, Wings Over Illawarra

Aircraftwoman Selena Smith has had an exciting and interesting gap year in the Air Force. CAPTION: Aircraftwoman Selena Smith at

An Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Arnhem Thunder, held at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

News Royal Australian Air Force

A forecast of Lightning for Pitch Black

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1732 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75, RAAF Darwin

Dominating the skies of the Northern Territory, the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II will participate in Exercise

The RAAF's newest F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Two F-35A arrivals brings fleet to to 50

22/06/202223/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2364 Views 2 Comments Exercise Black Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft continues to increase, with two more aircraft arriving at

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 1989 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

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 2845 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: