Thursday, October 9, 2025
Latest:
  • Satellite’s progress is out of this world
  • Regional partners mark firsts on Ex Bersama Lima
  • Aussies proud of peacekeeping role
  • Building bonds in Timor-Leste
  • WW2 veteran celebrates a century

CONTACT magazine

Australia's best free military news site

  • NEWS
  • Poetry
  • Podcasts
  • Fitness
  • Videos
  • Archives
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Write to us
CONTACT magazine

Regional Presence Deployment

Leading Seaman Aircrewman Jess Muir observes HMAS Ballarat during a South China Sea transit as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-4. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photo by Petty Officer Jacob Kambanaros.
News Royal Australian Navy 

Frigate and flight find their rhythm

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4402 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Ballarat recently sailed from her home port in Western Australia on a three-month regional presence deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Read more
Family and friends of HMAS Sydney’s crew welcome them on the wharf of Fleet Base East after four-and-a-half months at sea. Story and photos by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.
News Royal Australian Navy 

TGIF never felt so good for HMAS Sydney

05/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1694 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, Regional Presence Deployment, Sydney

For the 240-strong crew of HMAS Sydney, Friday August 1 wasn’t just the end of the week – it was

Read more
Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore is welcomed on board HMAS Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Sydney hosts Carrier Strike Group Commodore

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3123 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, HMAS Sydney, Operation Highmast, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy

HMAS Sydney has welcomed the Commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore, on

Read more
Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Captain Ishidera Takahiko receives a personalised cricket bat from Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney, Commander Ben Weller, on arrival in Yokosuka during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.
Japan News Royal Australian Navy 

Port visit firms ties with Japan

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1741 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney arrived in Japan for a short break and maintenance period in Yokosuka at the midpoint of its Indo-Pacific

Read more
Leading Seaman Christine Merrilees with her son, Leading Seaman Shannon Leak, and her father, Chief Petty Officer Stewart Merrilees. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.
ADF People History 

Three generations share Navy heritage

23/04/202523/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1098 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

As HMAS Sydney sails through the Indo-Pacific region this Anzac Day, one sailor on board has a deeply personal connection

Read more
HMAS Sydney departs Fleet Base East, Sydney to embark on the fleet's second regional presence deployment for 2025. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Helen Frank.
News Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Sydney’s three-month journey through the region

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2255 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield, Fleet Base East, FPDA, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

Read more
HMAS Sydney departs Fleet Base East, Sydney to embark on the fleet's second regional presence deployment for 2025. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Helen Frank.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Sydney leaves on three-month regional deployment

25/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3002 Views 1 Comment HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

Read more
Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Jure Plestina observes a vessel from a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft during a coordinated maritime domain awareness activity in the South China Sea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos: byCorporal Emma Schwenke.
News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy 

Freedom of navigation mission protects Indo-Pacific

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2464 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Exercising Australia’s freedom of navigation, the Royal Australian Air Force successfully completed maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region under

Read more
A RAAF P-8A Poseidon participates in a maritime cooperative activity with Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Akizuki, Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy ship USS Benfold. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Places to go, counterparts to see

05/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2503 Views 0 Comments Exercise La Perouse, HMAS Hobart, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy, US Air Force

The first regional presence deployment (RPD) for 2025 has opened HMAS Hobart to a number of training opportunities with counterparts from

Read more
HMAS Sydney conducts officer of the watch manoeuvres during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Sydney charts course for Australia

24/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2892 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney will return home on October 24 after a busy four months at sea during a regional presence deployment.

Read more
HMAS Sydney’s bridge team waves towards Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Sazanami during a formation foxtrot as part of a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Sydney participates in ship-to-ship culture swap

09/10/202412/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2815 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy

Experiencing another country’s ship for a day while in the middle of the ocean isn’t something everyone will get to

Read more
HMAS Perth's Leading Seaman Joshua Paynter, left, and Able Seaman Aidan Judd visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand during a regional presence deployment. Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.
Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Connected stories a powerful reminder

02/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1814 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, Regional Presence Deployment, Thailand, WWII

HMAS Perth recently reinforced its long-standing connection with Thailand during a meaningful port visit to Sattahip as part of a

Read more
Leading Seaman James Neville looks out towards HMAS Sydney as the ship is deployed on Operation Argos. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Keeping an eye on the deep Yellow Sea

01/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2215 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, MH-60R Seahawk, Operation Argos, Regional Presence Deployment

One of Australia’s newest warships HMAS Sydney recently completed Operation Argos in the Yellow Sea. CAPTION: Leading Seaman James Neville looks

Read more
Navies from Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Japan conduct a formation foxtrot during multinational task group activities. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Navies foxtrot in the Pacific Ocean

11/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2615 Views 0 Comments French Navy, German Navy, HMAS Sydney, Italian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney recently joined a multinational task group to conduct cooperative activities in the Pacific Ocean. CAPTION: Navies from Australia,

Read more
Able Seaman Boatswain’s Mate Luke Handley looks out from the bridge wing as HMAS Sydney takes part in a man-overboard exercise. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Challenging man-overboard drill proves ship readiness

03/09/202407/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2540 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

While on deployment, HMAS Sydney’s crew completed challenging night-time man-overboard drills using their on board dummy, ‘Oscar’. CAPTION: Able Seaman Boatswain’s

Read more
Leading Seaman Aviation Technician Airframe Prudence Harper, of 808 Squadron, conducts a flying exercise with HMAS Perth’s MH-60R aircraft 'Siren' during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.
News Royal Australian Navy 

‘Siren’ of the seas joins Perth off Darwin

30/08/202431/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2696 Views 0 Comments HMAS Albatross, HMAS Perth, MH-60R Seahawk, No. 808 Squadron, Regional Presence Deployment

When HMAS Perth departed Darwin recently for a regional presence deployment, the siren heard was not from a local emergency

Read more
HMAS Choules personnel participate in a humanitarian and disaster relief training exercise on board the ship during a south-west Pacific regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Leesa Maroske. Photos by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Choules training for humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions

30/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2169 Views 0 Comments HADR, HMAS Choules, Regional Presence Deployment

A recent humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) training exercise demonstrated HMAS Choules‘ readiness to respond to crises at home and

Read more
Commanding Officer of HMAS Choules Commander Arron Convery salutes HMS Tamar after successful Officer Of the Watch manoeuvres. Photo by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson.
News Overseas Royal Australian Navy 

Aussies exercise with UK and Japan off Fiji

09/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2354 Views 0 Comments HMAS Choules, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy, Tonga

One of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest ships, HMAS Choules, recently participated in training exercises with warships from the United

Read more
Mothers of HMAS Hobart, from left, Petty Officer Amy Peters, Commander Tina Brown and Leading Seaman Rochelle Hambly on the forecastle as the ship conducts a regional presence deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.
ADF People Royal Australian Navy Videos 

HMAS Hobart mothers celebrate away from home

17/05/202417/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2918 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, Regional Presence Deployment

Operational time at sea can be tough, not only for those serving in Navy but for the families and loved

Read more
Lieutenant Rene Van Rooyen from HMAS Warramunga embraces her partner on the wharf of Fleet Base East, Sydney, on return from deployment.
 Story by Lieutenant Nicole Gallie. Photo by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson.
News Royal Australian Navy 

Deployment proves relationships are everything

03/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2282 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Warramunga, Regional Presence Deployment

An excited toddler repeatedly asks, “Is my dad on that ship?” CAPTION: Lieutenant Rene Van Rooyen from HMAS Warramunga embraces her

Read more
  • ← Previous

Hours more reading…

OUR SUPPORTERS…