Operation Accordion Archives - CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison at his computer while deployed on Operation Accordion at Headquarters Middle East in 2025. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Thoughts of home while serving overseas

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 527 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

This Anzac Day, project engineer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison will reflect on those who served before him and the role

Personnel deployed to Operation Manitou and Operation Accordion run to support Australian veterans’ families. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring.

ADF People

ADF on the run for Legacy in Middle East

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 599 Views 0 Comments Headquarters Middle East, Legacy, Operation Accordion, Operation Manitou

Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East have been on the run, and raising funds for Legacy while

Air Force airbase engineer Flight Lieutenant Eamonn Matthews is deployed on Operation Accordion to Headquarters Middle East. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Airfield engineer hits the ground running

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1329 Views 0 Comments Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

The world was stunned by images of jumbo jets sloshing down a flooded runway at Dubai airport after freak storms

RAAF 36 Squadron personnel walk from a C-17 Globemaster towards Hurley’s Hangar after arriving at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East region. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Aussies deploy on Operation Hydranth

17/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1589 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Middle East Region, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Accordion, Operation Beech, Operation Hydranth, Operation Kudu

As Houthi rebels sank and raided vessels in the Red Sea, the Australian Government announced ADF personnel would deploy under

Australian Army Private Tyson Antonie works at keeping communication information systems operating while deployed on Operation Accordion at Australia’s operating base in the Middle East. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Keeping everyone connected in Middle East

22/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1409 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

For communication information systems technician Signaller Tyson Antonie, the chance to take his skills on operations has been a career

Australian Army Captain David Box instructs range-practice drills with Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Jessica Edwards during Operation Accordion at Australia’s operating base in the Middle East Region. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Accordion shooters happy in the Box office

17/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1067 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

Officially, his title is Middle East Region (MER) Safety and Security Adviser – unofficially, Captain David Box oversees many roles

Sous chef Prince Pullapalli instructs a cooking class to Operation Accordion personnel at Australia’s operating base in the Middle East. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Recipe for friendships in the Middle East

10/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1262 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

Catering staff are not only feeding ADF personnel in the Middle East but helping them to spice up their cooking

Royal Australian Air Force Flying Officer Aiden Pattison reflects on those who served in the Middle East before him on Operation Accordion in the lead to Anzac Day 2023 at Australia’s operating base in the Middle East Region. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Videos

Firsthand experience adds meaning

28/04/202329/04/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1692 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2023, Operation Accordion

Flying Officer Aiden Pattison has seen the photos, now it’s his turn to stand where people have served before

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 1925 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 1625 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 950 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.

Allison Currey (pictured) recently spent seven months away from her family deployed in the Middle East. Story by John Noble.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

RAAF support helps family stay connected

17/05/202220/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1624 Views 0 Comments Families week, Operation Accordion

Some of the greatest stress of service life is often experienced by the families of the men and women in

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 1621 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 1810 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 1552 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

Private Daniel Newman is deployed to the Middle East region. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People

Tassie driver answers the call

26/10/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1310 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

While sailing on the Tasman Sea between Hobart and Bruny Island, Private Daniel Newman received a phone call asking about

Major Brett Pates, left, and his son, Lance Corporal Timothy Pates, are both deployed to the Middle East region on Operation Accordion. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People

Long Army service a lifestyle

12/10/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1819 Views 1 Comment Operation Accordion

Major Brett Pates has clocked up more than 41 years of service in Army logistics and says perspective is key:

Lieutenant Amanda Dreger in the dispensary at the ADF’s main operating base in the Middle East. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Pharmacist embraces responsibility

29/09/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1298 Views 0 Comments COVID-19, Operation Accordion

Monday 25 September was World Pharmacist Day, spare a thought for the sole operator across the Middle East region. CAPTION: Lieutenant

Sergeant Sean Whittington supervises during a physical training session for Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East region. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Kicking physical training goals on deployment

24/09/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1471 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

Playing football in Mittagong, the Southern Highlands of NSW, as a teenager was where Sergeant Sean Whittington’s passion for physical fitness

Commander Joint Task Force 633 Air Commodore David Paddison celebrates the 10th anniversary of the ‘Bean around the MEAO’ café with owner Aileen Stoddart. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Bean a place like home for many over 10 years

22/09/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2505 Views 0 Comments Operation Accordion

For all who have deployed to or passed through the Australian Defence Force’s main operating base in the Middle East,

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