Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

An M1A2 Abrams tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 14 November 2024. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Army’s Tank Numbers: A Revolving Dance Card

18/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 182 Views 0 Comments

In terms of the standard organisation, a tank regiment comprises three sabre (fighting) squadrons, each squadron comprises four troops of

F-35A Lightning II aircraft fly in formation along the Newcastle-region coast in NSW during Exercise Lightning Storm. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Former CAF says RAAF seriously deficient

17/04/202517/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 695 Views 1 Comment

“The Royal Australian Air Force must acquire a long-range strike bomber to fill a critical capability gap and enhance the

Photo of William Henry Belpitt in 1886. Source: USN Memorial Foundation

Lest We Forget Veterans

A BARE PATCH OF GROUND

17/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 260 Views 0 Comments

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were hundreds, if not thousands of carefree Australian larrikins craving adventure.

An Australian light-armoured vehicle (ASLAV) negotiates a creek crossing during an exercise at Jungle Training Wing, Tully, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Army Scraps Second Armoured Squadron

17/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 255 Views 0 Comments

I mentioned on 5 April that a squadron of tanks has been removed from Army’s order of battle. It is

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland. Photo by Private Jacob Hilton.

Letters to the Editor Veterans

Ongoing Campaign to Return 1 Armd Regt to it’s Combat Role

14/04/202517/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 87 Views 0 Comments 1 Armd Regt

“The M1A2 SEPv3 will upgrade the current Australian fleet of M1A1 SA tanks with no changes to Royal Australian Armoured

Editor's Vlog

Fitting my basement sump pump

12/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 635 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

We had a lot of rain recently. The resulting flood in my basement diggings was prompt enough for me to

Lest We Forget

Cooktown Airfield 1942, Ops Base 27 and a Story Worth the Telling.

12/04/202517/04/2025 Geoff Clarke 926 Views 2 Comments

He left school in grade three to go to work with his father on the bullock wagons pulling huge logs

Royal Australian Air Force aviators assist local man Brian Dayes unload fuel stores from a C-27J Spartan in Windorah, Queensland. Photo by Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF delivers aviation fuel to flood-affected communities

11/04/202511/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 849 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan

The Royal Australian Air Force rapidly deployed an aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley, delivering critical aviation fuel supplies to flood-affected

A Royal Australian Air Force No.11 Squadron P-8A Poseidon taxies after landing at Avalon Airport during the Australian International Air Show 2025. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy USA

Aussie aviation “model programs in international cooperation”

11/04/202511/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 874 Views 0 Comments Avalon Airshow, MH-60R Seahawk, P-8A Poseidon

Two programs designed to enhance the ADF air capability and increase regional security are the “model programs in international cooperation”,

Royal Australian Navy Flight 607 personnel transfer a training torpedo onto an MH-60R Seahawk on the flight deck of HMAS Hobart. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

Uncategorized

Old goats fly in hunt for submarines

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 757 Views 0 Comments ASWEX

Four of Navy’s most advanced multi-mission MH-60R helicopters supported the six warships, and RAAF and RNZAF Poseidon P-8 aircraft, to

Sergeant Matthew Watson and Sapper Daniel Almer from 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron prepare an unexploded ordnance for disposal during Operation Render Safe 25-B Nauru. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.

ADF News Pacific

Sappers helping Nauru to be safe

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 583 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

A team of ADF explosives experts worked with Government of Nauru authorities to dispose of two World War 2-era unexploded

Two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters circle HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Stuart and HMAS Toowoomba as the ships prepare for ASWEX 25. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Navy

Anzac wolf pack hunts subs off WA

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1025 Views 0 Comments Anzac-class frigates, ASWEX

Four of Australia’s seven Anzac-class frigates sailed in formation off the Western Australian coast for ASWEX 25 this month. CAPTION:

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and members of the Philippine Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Company conduct littoral assault training with Zodiac small boats during a Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) program at Marine Base Ternate. Photo by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army News Pacific

Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines doubles commitment

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1332 Views 0 Comments JATT-P, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippines

Military training activities between Australia and the Philippines are increasing in 2025, strengthening cooperation and broadening interoperability. CAPTION: Australian Army

HMAS Sydney departs Darwin on Regional Presence Deployment 25-2. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF Asia News

HMAS Sydney leads Aussie team on Bersama Shield 2025

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 566 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield

HMAS Sydney is leading the Australian charge on Exercise Bersama Shield 2025 as part of Australia’s second regional presence deployment

A newly acquired M1A2 Abrams main battle tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor Veterans

Many problems hindering 3 Brigade’s new roles

11/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 622 Views 0 Comments 1 Armd Regt

Defence Press Release, 28 September 2023… “The 3rd Brigade, based in Townsville, will be an armoured combat brigade.” The Defence

Australian Army News What's on...

BRAVERY & BETRAYAL – The True Story of the SAS in Afghanistan

08/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2056 Views 0 Comments Bravery and Betrayal, Wandering Warriors

Developed by ex-SAS veterans a new documentary film is stripping back the myths and telling the true story of the

Editor's Vlog

Moving giant slab outdoors

05/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1036 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

The giant slab I cut last week gets moved outdoors in this video. It wasn’t easy, of course. But, with

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in Puslatpur, Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army Letters to the Editor News

Army Cut Back – Why?

05/04/202505/04/2025 Bruce Cameron 1931 Views 3 Comments

Army has recently removed a squadron of tanks from its order of battle; no reason has been offered. FILE PHOTO

Australian Army soldiers from 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire Assegai ammunition in Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army News

4th Regt gunners fire new Assegai ammunition

04/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1422 Views 0 Comments Assegai ammunition

Record rainfall and knee-deep mud couldn’t dampen the morale of Townsville’s 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, gunners as they completed

The Australian Defence Force has selected the F9 pistol as its newest sidearm. Its lightweight design and high-capacity magazine make it a top choice for military use. Photo by Corporal Janet Pan.

ADF News

ADF gets new pistol

04/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2361 Views 0 Comments

With the new F9 sidearm weapon system (F9 SWS) in hand, personnel have begun pulling the trigger on a new

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