RAAF Williamtown Archives - CONTACT magazine

Attendees of a memorial service for the late Wing Commander Peter Krieg with a static display of E-7A Wedgetail aircraft at 2 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

Remembering the legacy of ‘Cowboy’ Kreig

06/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1780 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

On Friday November 8, about 300 family and friends travelled from around the globe to gather in the 2 Squadron

A Philippine Air Force member works with a RAAF combat controller during Exercise Havoc Strike at Bulahdelah near RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Image has been modified for security. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller.

Controller training a success at Havoc Strike

26/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1149 Views 0 Comments Exercise Havoc Strike, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 4 Squadron, Philippine Air Force, RAAF Williamtown, Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s 4 Squadron has played host to the Philippine and Royal Thai Air Forces on Exercise

Air Force military working dog handler, Leading Aircraftman James Reid from 1 Security Forces Squadron, and retired military working dog Drak, at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Military dog finds furever home with best friend

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 854 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs, No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Williamtown

Military working dog, Malinois Drak, was officially partnered with his handler Leading Aircraftman James Reid when they graduated their military

Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, left, awards Leading Aircraftman Samuel Conroy with a gold commendation at 1 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People

Gold commendation for aviator’s courageous deed

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 772 Views 0 Comments No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Amberley, RAAF Williamtown

On a Sunday night in September last year, 1 Security Forces Squadron member Leading Aircraftman Samuel Conroy found himself the

The crew of RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail meet Australia's High Commissioner, Stephen Smith, at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland after a six month European deployment as part of Operation Kudu. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Guardian a blessing in the skies

26/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1973 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron, Operation Kudu, RAAF Williamtown, Ukraine

Australia’s watchful ‘guardian-from-above’, the E-7A Wedgetail, has returned home after providing critical early-warning protection for the military and humanitarian logistic

The E-7 Trilateral Working Group at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force

E-7 Trilateral Working Group convenes at Williamtown

23/02/202424/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1606 Views 0 Comments Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), E-7A Wedgetail, RAAF Williamtown, RAF, US Air Force

For the first time, air force experts have gathered in Australia to share solutions on airborne early warning and control

An F-35A Lightning II arriving at RAAF Base Townsville ready to participate in Exercise High Sierra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New pilots challenged on High Sierra

05/12/202311/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1548 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Williamtown

RAAF personnel and aircraft were deployed to RAAF Base Townsville to conduct the final phase of Exercise High Sierra at

Personnel from 453 Squadron with a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI from 100 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Image has been digitally manipulated, 453 Squadron sign added to ATC tower. Story by Flying Officer Kristi Adam. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Connections take flight in Newcastle

30/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1449 Views 0 Comments Air Show, No. 100 Squadron, No. 453 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, RAAF Williamtown

The Newcastle Williamtown Air Show and open day, held over November 18-19, gave 2 and 453 Squadrons an opportunity to

Garry Cooper and Commanding Officer 4 Squadron Wing Commander Steven Duffy unveil a painting commissioned by aviation artist Ivan Berryman at 4 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photos: Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Painting immortalises historic action

30/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1495 Views 0 Comments Forward Air Controllers, No. 4 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, WWII

Taking pride of place in 4 Squadron headquarters at RAAF Base Williamtown is a new painting commemorating an important event

A RAAF Boeing P-8 Poseidon (left) taxis past two E-7A Wedgetails at RAAF Base Williamtown in readiness for the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show inspires

24/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3571 Views 0 Comments Air Show, RAAF Williamtown

The latest and greatest in Defence capability thrilled almost 85,000 people on November 18 and 19 during the Newcastle Williamtown

RAAF Sergeant Ryan Pedder travelled to the central coast to have his haircut by Instagram content maker Nick Senem. Story by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Barber chair conversations for mental health

17/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1249 Views 0 Comments mental health, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Williamtown, Top Blokes Foundation

Sergeants Ryan Pedder and Connor O’Neill and Leading Aircraftman Liam Ramsay took a seat in the barber chair to have

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft under a temporary aircraft revetment, which is being trialled at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Hiding aircraft in plain sight

31/10/202301/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1784 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), Defence Strategic Review, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Air Combat Group (ACG) trialled a temporary shelter to protect and conceal aircraft from explosives and surveillance at RAAF Base

RAAF Sergeants Connor O'Neill and Ryan Pedder, 7th and 8th from left, facilitated the Building Blokes program for aviators from 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Vulnerability takes courage

11/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 861 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Williamtown, Top Blokes Foundation, World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day As an awkwardly tall and skinny teenager, Sergeant Ryan Pedder struggled with his masculinity. CAPTION: RAAF

Sergeant Andrew Summers in front of a F-35A Lightning II at 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Thought provoking

Breaking the stigma of PTSD

10/10/202328/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1403 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, PTSD, RAAF Williamtown, World Mental Health Day

Sergeant Andrew Summers, of 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW, is an example of how proactive

First graduates of the Air Battle Manager, Fighter Controller, Enlisted Course, Corporal Baden Oakley and Corporal Emily Smeaton with their graduation certificates at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW. Story by Flying Officer Matthew Edwards. Photo by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Fighter controllers breaking new ground

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1353 Views 0 Comments No. 41 Wing, No. 42 Wing, RAAF Williamtown, Surveillance and Control Training Unit

In a first for the command and control community, two air surveillance operators have graduated as enlisted fighter controllers (EFC).

Flight Sergeant Stephen Olding with his presentation gift to mark his retirement from the RAAF. Story by Wing Commander Susan Yates.

ADF People History

Love of aircraft leads to 51-year career

28/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1680 Views 0 Comments No. 26 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

After 51 years of service with the Australian Defence Force, Flight Sergeant Stephen Olding hung up his hat, having served

The Gibbins family, including, Tommy, 8, Johnny, 5, Betty, 3, and dad Stephen enjoy the activities on display at the Defence member and family support Child of the Medallion event at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Military children recognised for their sacrifice

27/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3569 Views 1 Comment Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS), No. 26 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

A group of excited children received the latest medallion recognising their resilience and challenges they experience through having parents in

A United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft, from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (Black Knights), departs from RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

US Black Knights mix with RAAF’s best

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1952 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force

Known as the ‘Black Knights’, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) made RAAF Base

Samuel Hays (centre) leads the National Day of Prayer for Defence at Saint John's protestant chapel at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

The power of praying together

14/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1390 Views 0 Comments RAAF Williamtown

A group of Christian followers engaged in a group conversation with God on the National Day of Prayer for Defence

RAAF aviation refueller, Leading Aircraftman Stephen Gannon (L) instructs US Marine Corps refuellers on the operation of Australian refuelling trucks at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Refuelling international partnerships

07/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1364 Views 0 Comments No. 13 Squadron, No. 17 Squadron, No. 26 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, USMC

Driver training officers from 96 Wing have welcomed United States Marine Corps (USMC) refuellers to RAAF Base Williamtown with essential

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