RAAF East Sale Archives - CONTACT magazine

Participants in the Officers' Training School 75th anniversary parade stand to attention. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

RAAF Officers’ Training School salutes 75 years

01/05/202504/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 679 Views 0 Comments Officer Training School (OTS), RAAF East Sale

Officers’ Training School celebrated its 75th anniversary last month with a special event at Royal Australian Air Force Base East

Army Corporal Bailey Cassidy refuels a CH-47F Chinook with some 3000lbs of blended sustainable aviation fuel at RAAF Base East Sale in southern Victoria. Story by Major Cameron Jamieson. Photo by Captain Bonnie Hunt.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Loading up on sustainable aviation fuel

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 976 Views 1 Comment CH-47F Chinook, RAAF East Sale, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

An Army CH-47F Chinook refuelled with about 3000lbs of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at RAAF Base East Sale in southern

Brothers and Air Force pilots, Flying Officer Samuel Hughes, left, and Flying Officer Luke Hughes, celebrate earning their wings at the 1 Flying Training School Course 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course Graduation at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photo by Flying Officer Luke Marsden.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Brothers soar to new heights

08/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1449 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), RAAF East Sale

Childhood dreams became a reality at the recent ADF Intermediate Pilots Course graduation from 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), where

Navy pilot graduate Acting Sub Lieutenant Natika Dunn is awarded with ‘wings’ by Commander Fleet Air Arm Commodore Matthew Royals at 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course Graduation at 1 Flying Training School, RAAF Base East Sale. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Daina Sawade.

News Royal Australian Navy

Milestone moment for joint pilot training

08/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1902 Views 1 Comment No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), RAAF East Sale

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn has made history as the first Navy trainee to graduate with wings from 1 Flying Training

The PC-21 fleet surpasses 100,000 flying hours. Story by The PC-21 fleet surpasses 100,000 flying hours. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

PC-21 fleet clocks up 100,000 hours

05/12/202412/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 978 Views 0 Comments PC-21, RAAF East Sale

Defence has celebrated a significant operational milestone with its PC-21 fleet surpassing 100,000 flying hours. CAPTION: The PC-21 fleet surpasses 100,000

RAAF and PNG Defence Force graduates from the Initial Officer Course 05/24, at Officer Training School, RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Royal Australian Air Force

PNG officers graduate from RAAF OTS

22/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1812 Views 0 Comments Officer Training School (OTS), PNGDF, RAAF East Sale

When the recent class of Officer Training School (OTS) graduates tossed their hats into the air on graduation day, history

Pilatus PC-21 aircraft perform a display for No.1 Flying Training School Intermediate Pilots’ Course graduation at RAAF East Sale. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Sergeant Rodney Welch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

First fully east-coast-trained pilots graduate

13/08/202417/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1565 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), PC-21, RAAF East Sale

The first nine aviators to complete all their initial training on Australia’s east coast and become fully qualified pilots have

Air Force aviators reunite 40 years after graduation. Rear, from left: Squadron Leader Michael Spencer, Squadron Leader (retd) Geoffrey Menzies, Wing Commander (retd) Gavin Small, Flight Lieutenant (retd) Russell Lucas, Group Captain (retd) John Heinrich and (front) Wing Commander Michael Hicks. Story by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People History

21/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 797 Views 0 Comments Military Reunions, RAAF East Sale

Last month, a contrast unfolded in the art of navigation. CAPTION: Air Force aviators reunite 40 years after graduation. Rear, from

The Roulettes perform a complex high precision aerial manoeuvre at the West Sale Anzac weekend Air Show. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photo by Flying Officer Neive Vinall.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air and ground buzz for West Sale locals after ANZAC Day

08/05/202409/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1286 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), No. 100 Squadron, RAAF East Sale, Roulettes

Past, present and future of the Royal Australian Air Force was on show for the Anzac weekend air show at

Flight Lieutenant Max and Flying Officer Cooper McClymont prepare to depart RAAF Base East Sale in a RAAF EA-18G Growler during Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

6 Squadron circumnavigates Australia

03/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1900 Views 0 Comments EA-18G Growler, Exercise Centenarie Redimus, F-111, No. 6 Squadron, RAAF East Sale

Aviators from 6 Squadron have completed a seven-day journey circumnavigating Australia in honour of Wing Commander Stanley Goble and Flight

Roulette 2 Flight Lieutenant James Dutschke flies in formation over Changi, Singapore, during the Roulettes display at the Singapore Airshow. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Roulettes roll into Singapore

20/03/202423/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2182 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF East Sale, Roulettes, Singapore

As the six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes rolled and looped over the Singaporean landscape,

Two KA350 King Air's fly over a Colours consecration parade at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. Story by Squadron Leader Kate Davis and Flight Lieutenant Nick O’Connor. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Colour parade marks milestone for flying-training schools

01/12/202310/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1824 Views 0 Comments KA350 King Air, No. 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), RAAF East Sale

1 Flying Training School (1FTS) and Air Mission Training School (AMTS) held a joint Colour Replacement Parade at RAAF Base

Pilot Officer Alanna Carew RAAF Base East Sale with a 32 Squadron B350 King Air Aircraft. Story by Flight Lieutenant Cindy Ritchie. Photo by Petty Officer Rick Prideaux.

ADF People History

Following their aviation mission

18/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1633 Views 0 Comments National Science Week, RAAF East Sale

Pilot Officers Alanna Carew and Kris Byrne are following their passion for aviation while undertaking training at the Air Mission

Major Eun-Ho Yang from the Republic of Korea Air Force aerobatic team The Black Eagles sits in a Pilatus PC-21 from the Royal Australian Air Force aerobatic team The Roulettes while Flight Lieutenant Ben Hepworth shows him the cockpit after a Friendship flight as part of the Australian International Air Show 2023. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Roulettes and Black Eagles display friendship and airmanship at Avalon

01/03/202301/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3228 Views 0 Comments Avalon Airshow, PC-21, RAAF East Sale, Republic of Korea Air Force, Roulettes

In an historic moment, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) aerobatic team the Black Eagles and the Royal Australian

Flight Lieutenant Rhiannon Wares (RAAF), First Lieutenant Hery (Indonesia Air Force), Major Hafizul (Royal Malaysian Air Force) and Squadron Leader Chamara (Sri Lanka Air Force) in the School of Air Traffic Control’s immersive tower visual simulator system at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flying Officer Rowan Crinall. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Foreign students return to School of Air Traffic Control

22/02/202325/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2349 Views 0 Comments RAAF East Sale, School of Air Traffic Control (SATC)

For the first time in more than two years, the School of Air Traffic Control (SATC) at RAAF Base East

32 Squadron and Squadron Leader (retd) Ted McConchie with a 100 Squadron Lockheed Hudson aircraft and 32 Squadron B350 King Air aircraft. Story by Flying Officer Ellis Mitchell. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

32 Squadron celebrates 80 years

07/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1978 Views 0 Comments B-350 King Air, No. 100 Squadron, No. 32 Squadron, RAAF East Sale, WWII

32 Squadron celebrated its 80th anniversary in November at RAAF Base East Sale with unit members, families, local community members

Air Academy Instructor Flight Lieutenant Mel Picton, left, and Australian Women Pilots Association members Hannah Potter, Cathy Eccles and Peta Denham Harvey during a recent visit to RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Scholarship gives young woman wings

28/10/202230/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1877 Views 0 Comments Australian Women Pilots Association (AWPA), PC-21, RAAF East Sale

Hannah Potter, a 19-year-old from Essendon, is going places thanks to an Australian Women Pilots Association (AWPA) scholarship sponsored by

The Air Force Roulettes perform an aerobatic display over the air traffic control tower for the Air Force Roulette's 50th anniversary family open day at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. Story by Flying Officer Brent Moloney. Photos by Richard Prideaux.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Roulettes reminisce on 50 years

05/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2214 Views 0 Comments Central Flying School, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF East Sale, Roulettes

Friends and family of Central Flying School (CFS) belatedly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Roulettes Aerobatic Team with a

Squadron Leader Michael Veitch and President of the No. 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association Bruce Robertson at the No. 30 Squadron anniversary dinner. Story by By Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Petty Officer Rick Prideaux.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Former Beaufighters squadron turns 80

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2235 Views 0 Comments No. 30 Squadron, RAAF East Sale, WWII

It has been 80 years since Air Force’s No. 30 Squadron was established at RAAF Base Richmond before deploying to

Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo (centre), accompanied by Air Force Attache - Jakarta Group Captain Ken Bowes, is welcomed to RAAF Base East Sale with a guard of honour. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kate Davis. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideax.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Strengthening training ties with Indonesia

06/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2436 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Indonesian Air Force, PC-21, RAAF East Sale

Opportunities to strengthen training connections were in the spotlight when the Indonesian equivalent of Australia’s Chief of Air Force visited

← Previous