RAAF Williamtown Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show inspires

24/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 507 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 397 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 706 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 274 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 516 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 531 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 784 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 603 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 1148 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 509 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 604 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

Flying Officers Nicholas Martin and Sarah Wickham use the I-Sim laptop simulation system during an Integrated Air and Missile Defence course – delivered by the US’ Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Education and Training Center. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photo by Squadron Leader Carlos Molina.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

US air-and-missile defence course delivered at Williamtown

21/06/202323/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 661 Views 0 Comments Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), RAAF Williamtown

The Royal Australian Air Force secured Australia’s first delivery of two Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) courses from the

Air Force Aviation Programs for Women participants try on firefighting equipment at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Young women test their wings

21/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 714 Views 0 Comments Defence Force Recruiting, RAAF Williamtown

Thirty young women from around Australia immersed themselves in Air Force life through the Aviation Programs for Women at RAAF

Air Force fire fighters evacuate a simulated casualty from a PC-21 aircraft during a crash exercise at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Wing Commander Sue Yates. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Emergency response put to the test

16/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 928 Views 0 Comments emergency fitness test, RAAF Williamtown, State Emergency Service (SES)

Testing emergency response procedures and processes on an operational airfield used by military and civilian aircraft is no easy feat.

Head of Air Shows Air Commodore Micka Gray announces the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 during a media conference at Fort Scratchley, Newcastle, with Port Stephens Council General Manager Tim Crosdale, left, Federal Member for Patterson Meryl Swanson and Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes. Story by Squadron Leader Courtney Jay. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF air show set to thrill Newcastle

14/06/202316/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1903 Views 0 Comments RAAF Williamtown

The Royal Australian Air Force, in partnership with the City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council, has announced the Air

Members of Air Force’s 77 Squadron work to remove flood damaged items from affected properties in Fitzroy Crossing. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Flood workers’ positivity a big plus for community

10/02/202311/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1439 Views 0 Comments CH-47F Chinook, No. 77 Squadron, Operation Flood Assist 2023-1, RAAF Williamtown

Royal Australian Air Force personnel who have been helping with flood recovery efforts in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

Incoming Officer Commanding 42 Wing Group Captain James Parton (left) and outgoing Commander Group Captain Angus Porter in front of a 2 Squadron E-7A Wedgetail at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Leading Aircraftwoman Jasna McFeeters. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Fresh eyes to oversee air surveillance wing

22/01/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1150 Views 0 Comments No. 42 Wing, RAAF Williamtown

The wing of Air Force that oversees aircraft involved in surveillance and electronic warfare has a new Officer Commanding who

Gap Year personnel, from left, Aircraftman Jubal Tan, Aircraftman Jack Bridge, Aircraftwoman Layla Manser, Aircraftwoman Annalise Conibear, Aircraftman Jackson Pulbrook and Aircraftman Samuel Maharjan. Story by Flight Sergeant Josa Kohler. Photo by Sergeant Peter Borys.

ADF People

A fast-paced Gap Year with fast jets

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 806 Views 1 Comment Gap Year program, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 77 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

ADF Gap Year program participants deployed to Air Force’s No 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) this year travelled around Australia

Outgoing Commander Air Combat Group Air Commodore Tim Alsop (left) congratulates the incoming Commanding Officer, Air Commodore Pete Robinson, on officially taking over command during the hand-over and take-over parade at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photos by Corporal Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Ready to take on new challenges

21/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 432 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), EA-18G Growler, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Williamtown

The challenges overcome and successes achieved by Air Combat Group (ACG) were recognised at a ceremony commemorating the change in leadership

Aircraftwoman Selena Smith at the 2022 Wings Over Illawarra Airshow. Story by Captain Sarah Vesey. Photo by LAC Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People

Graduate flying high with Air Force

16/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 687 Views 0 Comments Drone Racing, Gap Year program, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, Wings Over Illawarra

Aircraftwoman Selena Smith has had an exciting and interesting gap year in the Air Force. CAPTION: Aircraftwoman Selena Smith at

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