Australian Defence Force personnel completed a two-week maritime counter terrorism training exercise in the waters off Exmouth and Dampier in north-west Australia in September – the first time in years the exercise was conducted in the region.

Words and pics ADF

The Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review in Sydney from 3 to 11 October this year, was a spectacle of the highest order. The review was held to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s First Fleet entry into Sydney in 1913. Led by the then recently commissioned flagship, HMAS Australia, the new Australian fleet also comprised HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra. Their magnificent entry into Sydney Harbour for the first time, greeted by thousands of cheering citizens lining the foreshore, was a moment of great national pride and importance, one recognised as a key indicator of Australia’s progress towards national maturity. And, in 2013, the centenary International Fleet Review was almost as magnificant.

Words and pics ADF

Many Australians had already lost interest in Afghanistan, or more likely had already assumed it was all over long before Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the official end in late October.

Words ADF and Brian Hartigan
Pics ADF

Small of stature and loud of voice, Sergeant Debbie Grylls has left her mark on ISAF troops at Multi National Base – Tarin Kot.
RAAF Physical Training Instructor (PTI), Sergeant Grylls and Army PTI, Corporal Chad Gill from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Force, assisted more than 500 personnel a week during 24 training sessions to maintain their operational fitness.

Words and pics Corporal Mark Doran

In early September, shortly before heading for home, HMAS Newcastle crewmembers participated in boarding-party training with members of the Jordanian Navy during a port visit to the Jordanian Naval Base in Aqaba.

Words and pics ADF

NUSHIP Canberra - Long before our newest and biggest-ever naval vessel sets sail for acceptance trials, her designated crew is already hard at work learning as much as they can about the behemoth before that fast-approaching magnificent day when they get to take the real thing for a drive.

Words and pics ADF

Australian 19-year-old Ryan Campbell successfully completed a record-breaking solo around-the-world flight in September, smashing the world record for the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the globe. A jubilant but exhausted Ryan Campbell said the journey itself and the reception he received from thousands of well-wishers – including the RAAF’s Roulettes – upon landing in the Illawarra was overwhelming.

Pics Glenn Fenwick

In what may or may not become a new feature of CONTACT Air Land & Sea and/or COMBAT Camera magazines, we feature the work of an obviously excellent young photographer – and chat with him to find out what makes him tick.
Any other photographers who would like their work featured in one or both of our magazines
should email editor@militarycontact.com to discuss.

Pics Daniel Hadman

Plus our regular columns;

• The Big Picture - Sydney during IFR
  
• Heads up - latest snippets from Australia, New Zealand and around the World
• Military Fitness by Don Stevenson
• Frontline Africa by Damien Mander
• Cadet Corner
• Q Store

COMBAT Camera is our photo-essay-based magazine published exclusively as an on-line e-magazine - by FREE by electronic subscription.

Starting with issue #41 in March 2014, CONTACT will also become an e-magazine, sent to the same subscribers.
CONTACT will not be printed again after issue #40.

COMBAT Camera sources official photos from the Defence forces of Australia, the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and others - and invites soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines from any country to submit unofficial materiel. Photos and stories for inclusion in either magazine should be sent to editor@militarycontact.com for consideration - or discuss your ideas before writing. PLEASE NOTE: No payment is made for submissions.

COMBAT Camera and CONTACT Air Land & Sea are published four times per year
- on 1 Feb, 1 March - 1 May, 1 June - 1 Aug, 1 Sept - 1 Nov, 1 Dec.