RAAF Darwin Archives - CONTACT magazine

Gunners from 102nd Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery participate in the re-enactment of the Bombing of Darwin. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Darwin bombing a call to defend the north

04/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 2 Comments 8th/12th Regiment RAA, RAAF Darwin, WWII

From RAAF Base Darwin, a young Brian Winspear saw Japanese bombs glinting in the sun like confetti above Darwin on

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks with guests at the Bombing of Darwin memorial unveiling at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes sacrifice in WWII attack

28/02/202514/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 995 Views 0 Comments Bombing of Darwin, Chief of Air Force, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, WWII

Two memorials honouring the sacrifice of aviators killed in a Japanese attack have been unveiled in Darwin. CAPTION: Chief of Air

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 1354 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

Royal Thai Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Toranin Metananta departs RAAF Base Darwin for a sortie in a JAS-39 Gripen C during Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RTAF celebrate 20 years at Pitch Black

02/08/202403/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1889 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, RAAF Darwin, Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is celebrating two decades of participation in Exercise Pitch Black, one of the world’s

A RAAF FA-18F Super Hornet aircraft departs RAAF Base Darwin for a night flying mission as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Back-seat bandits on Exercise Pitch Black

30/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1002 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Darwin

As Exercise Pitch Black continues to play out in the Northern Territory and all eyes look towards the sky, the

The Pacific Skies 24 contingent from France, Germany and Spain at RAAF Base Darwin to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

European unity under southern skies

26/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1521 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Pacific Skies 24, RAAF Darwin

Multiple European aircraft from France, Germany and Spain have touched down in Darwin for Pacific Skies 24. CAPTION: The Pacific Skies

From left, a Royal Air Force corporal, Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Benjamin Selwood, Royal New Zealand Air Force Corporal Rikki Rawleigh and Patrol Dog McClane patrol the apron at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Kiwis send largest contingent to Pitch Black 24

25/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1187 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, NZDF, RAAF Darwin

Australia’s friends from across the ditch have sent their largest contingent to the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest international exercise.

Yuri, an F-35A pilot with the Italian Air Force, on the flightline during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Italy soars into Pitch Black debut

24/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1189 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Italian Air Force (ItAF), RAAF Darwin

As the sun rose over RAAF Base Darwin, F-35s from one of Exercise Pitch Black’s newest participants took to the

Head of Air Shows Air Force, Air Commodore Micka Grey, talks during the media launch event for the start of Exercise Pitch Black held at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

All systems go on largest Pitch Black

17/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1074 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, RAAF Darwin

In the presence of friends, and surrounded by allied aircraft on the heat of the flightline, senior ADF officers and

A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH pilot holds an Australian flag after arriving at RAAF Base Darwin, ready for Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Philippines lands a first at Pitch Black

12/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2026 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Philippine Air Force, RAAF Darwin

The arrival of Philippine Air Force aircraft to Exercise Pitch Black marks the first time the Philippines has deployed air

Crew of a 6 Squadron EA-18G Growler aircraft taxi at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Eye of the storm

03/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1050 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, Exercise Diamond Storm, No. 88 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)

Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) candidates conducted complex mission scenarios throughout Northern Australia for their culminating activity, Exercise Diamond Storm,

tralian Army soldiers and Indonesian soldiers conduct a night assault at the Darwin Military Museum as East Point, NT. Story by Major Dan Mazurek. Photo by Captain Annie Richardson.

Australian Army News

5RAR welcomes Indonesian raiders to NT

29/09/202306/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1873 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Wirra Jaya, RAAF Darwin, Robertson Barracks, TNI, Zodiac

There were a lot of big smiles and hugs in the small receiving terminal at RAAF Base Darwin as the

Members of 1st Battallion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and US Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Alon during Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photos by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Philippine and Australian forces embarked on HMAS Canberra

15/08/202320/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2166 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, IPE, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MV-22 Osprey, RAAF Darwin, USMC

Personnel from Philippine and Australian forces have embarked HMAS Canberra in Darwin in preparation for Exercise Alon, which is being

Corporal Christopher Meldrum, an avionics technician from 33 Squadron, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 at RAAF Base Darwin. Story and photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People

From the runway to the sky

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1121 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Darwin

Corporal Christopher Meldrum finds fixing an aircraft one of the most rewarding parts of being an aircraft technician in the

Royal Australian Air Force and US Air Force refuelling specialists discuss the refuel of a KC-135 following its arrival at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Mobility Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo bySergeant Pete Gammie.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Two air forces cooperate on Ex Mobility Guardian

08/08/202309/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2168 Views 0 Comments Exercise Mobility Guardian, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, USAF

Cohesive integration with partner forces is an essential ingredient for success on international exercises, as proven by 13 Squadron at

Australian Army soldiers disembark a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport at RAAF Base Darwin after their deployment to the United Kingdom on Operation Kudu. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Captain Annie Richardson.

Australian Army News

Aussies return after training Ukrainians

04/07/202305/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1727 Views 1 Comment KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Operation Kudu, RAAF Darwin, Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF)

The soldiers of rotation two of Operation Kudu touched down on Australian soil in time for Territory Day, greeted by

Leading Aircraftman David Skeen, 13 Squadron chef, prepares food in the kitchen of the officers mess at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photo by Sergeant Pete Gammie.

ADF People

The right ingredients for a good career

04/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 747 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, NAIDOC Week, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

Indigenous knowledge and culture is important to Darwin-based 13 Squadron chef, Leading Aircraftman David Skeen, who grew up in the

Military personnel from Australia, Indonesia and the United States disembark a United States Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Crocodile Response. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Trilateral response to Top End “disaster”

07/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1723 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crocodile Response, Indonesian National Armed Forces, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MV-22 Osprey, RAAF Darwin

Australian forces joined partner forces from the United States and Indonesia for a major international humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise.

Flying Officer James Madden in his role as Air Traffic Controller at Darwin Airport. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dion Isaacson.

ADF People

Childhood dream realised

07/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1592 Views 0 Comments No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

James Madden has dreamed of controlling the skies since childhood. CAPTION: Flying Officer James Madden in his role as Air

Flight Lieutenant Brittany Knowles in her role as air traffic controller in Darwin. Story by John Noble.

ADF People

Landing her perfect job

07/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1393 Views 1 Comment No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

“The best job in the world” is how Flight Lieutenant Brittany Knowles describes her role as an air traffic controller

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