RAAF Williamtown Archives - CONTACT magazine

26 Squadron Mechanical Equipment Operations Maintenance Section (MEOMS) team with the F/A-18 Hornet billy cart. Story and all photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Pushing the blues away

01/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 183 Views 0 Comments Beyond Blue, F/A-18A/B Hornets, RAAF Williamtown

A zeal to revive a vintage classic and deliver it a new purpose drove Sergeant Michael Dellaca to wipe 10

Logistics Officer, Flying Officer Jeremy Heath in front of an F-35A Lightning II at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Keeping jets in the air

01/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 80 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Williamtown

Flying Officer Jeremy Heath works at the forefront of Australia’s defence capability, sourcing parts for the nation’s expanding fleet of

1 Security Forces Squadron logistic section celebrating their squadron's 80th anniversary. Story by Squadron Leader Cain Taylor. Photo by Aircraftman Bailey Morgan-Brinkworth.

News Royal Australian Air Force

1 Security Forces Squadron celebrates 80 years

05/11/202205/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 594 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Williamtown

1 Security Forces Squadron (1SECFOR) recently celebrated its 80th anniversary at RAAF Base Williamtown and reflected on its 80 year

Flight Sergeant Gail Blizzard is a breast cancer survivor who is passionate about raising funds for cancer research. She organised the Pink Ribbon drive-through breakfast event held at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Passionate advocate leads Pink Ribbon fundraiser

01/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 189 Views 0 Comments RAAF Williamtown

When Flight Sergeant Gail Blizzard was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in 2019, she was not ready to leave her

Philippine Air Force members work with RAAF Combat Controllers from 4 Squadron during Close Air Support training activities at Salt Ash Air Weapons Range near RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Sergeant Josa Kohler. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces share skills on Ex Havoc Strike

26/10/202228/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 565 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, Exercise Havoc Strike, F-35A Lightning II, Hawk-127, No. 4 Squadron, No. 76 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Williamtown

This year’s Exercise Havoc Strike, 4 Squadron’s premier close-air support exercise, included the participation of members from the Philippine Air

Flight Sergeant Geoff McLaughin, from No. 77 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, sells a Legacy bear to Louise Neider in Newcastle during Legacy Week. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Emotional connection to Legacy Week

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 390 Views 0 Comments Legacy, Legacy Week, No. 3 CRU, No. 77 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

The volunteer sheet filled fast when nominations were called to collect fundraising money for Legacy Week throughout the Hunter region.

Personnel from No. 2 Squadron, supporting Young Veterans at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm, stand in front of an E-7A Wedgetail. This image has been digitally altered. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Hairy young aviators supporting veterans

23/08/202224/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 894 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, Young Veterans

While attending the Air Warfare Instructor Course in Darwin, members of No. 2 Squadron took the rare opportunity to leave

Squadron Leader Paul Summers, left, and Group Captain Anthony Stainton cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Williamtown Allied Health Services building. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New health hub opens at Williamtown

12/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 929 Views 0 Comments health services, RAAF Williamtown

An old cadet building has been transformed to meet the mental and physical health needs of military personnel and support

Air Surveillance Operator Sergeant Jayne Francis monitors the exercise airspace inside an operations cabin with aviators from No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Combat controllers add an extra set of eyes

02/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 624 Views 0 Comments Exercise Diamond Storm, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 CRU, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Williamtown

In the complex and congested battlespaces of Exercise Diamond Storm, aircrew relied on tactical command and control units to provide

Aircraftman Samuel Forsberg from No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit, checks the AN/TPS-77 Tactical Air Defence Radar System antennas at Timber Creek during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miiller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Control and reporting units complete the picture

22/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 648 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, Exercise Diamond Storm, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 CRU, No. 41 Wing, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Williamtown

In the complex and congested battlespaces of Exercise Diamond Storm 22, aircrew rely on tactical command and control units to

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 1208 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

Flight Lieutenant Marriner, a Pilot from No. 77 Squadron, at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price

ADF People

There’s no place like home

15/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 593 Views 0 Comments Exercise Diamond Storm, F-35A Lightning II, No. 77 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Flying in Exercise Diamond Storm 2022 is a welcome return to the Top End for Flight Lieutenant Michael Marriner. CAPTION:

Commander Air Combat Group Air Commodore Timothy Alsop (right) presents Squadron Leader Daniel Grealy with an oversized replica patch on attaining 4000 flying hours in F/A-18 type aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Sergeant Peter Borys.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Fighter pilot’s ‘huge achievement’ of 4000 hours

08/06/202211/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1683 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 77 Squadron, No. 82 Wing Training Flight, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Williamtown

In a first for the Royal Australian Air Force, No. 82 Wing Training Flight fighter pilot Squadron Leader Daniel Grealy

Flight Lieutenant Tjapukai Shaw on the cargo ramp of a C-130J Hercules aircraft. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred. Photo by Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF People

Indigenous aviator’s career taking off

31/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 687 Views 1 Comment Indigenous, mentoring, No. 22 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Becoming a pilot was a pipe dream for Flight Lieutenant Tjapukai Shaw when he joined Air Force as an Indigenous

A Murrook Cultural Heritage Team member conduct a smoking ceremony at No. 41 Wing's naming ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan and Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Renaming RAAF’s air battle management system

10/03/202214/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1282 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, No. 41 Wing, RAAF Williamtown

No. 41 Wing and the Worimi community came together to celebrate the Aboriginal renaming of the Royal Australian Air Force’s

Squadron Leader Louise Burr has won the Australian Defence Magazine Women in Defence Award for Engineering. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

ADF People

Making an impact in engineering

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 842 Views 0 Comments International Women's Day, Joint Task Force 633, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, RAAF Williamtown, STEM

While juggling home schooling and snack making in Newcastle, Squadron Leader Louise Burr was the acquisition facilities lead for a

Royal Australian Air Force flight test engineer Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Taouk conducts flight test training in the United Kingdom in 2020. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred.

ADF People

Discovering unique challenges and benefits

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 951 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, International Women's Day, RAAF Williamtown

Flight Lieutenant Rosie Taouk knows how important different perspectives are for problem solving. CAPTION:Royal Australian Air Force flight test engineer

Royal Australian Air Force officer Air Commodore Nick Osborne, outgoing Commander of Surveillance & Response Group, returns the salute during the transfer of command ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Surveillance and Response Group changes command

15/02/202215/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1679 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

The Royal Australian Air Force has a new commander to lead its Surveillance and Response Group, with command passing from

One of latest F-35A Lightning II aircraft (A35-040) arrives back to RAAF Base WIlliamtown after ferrying from the United States. Story by Alisha Welch. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Contract supports F-35A maintenance and supply

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 997 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Tindal, RAAF Williamtown

Defence recently signed a five-year contract with BAE Systems Australia for the provision of support to Royal Australian Air Force

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 1463 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: