Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Army Major Wendi McAdie and Warrant Officer Class One Andrew McAdie are presented their Federation Star medals by Major General Michael Krause alongside their daughter, Clancy McAdie. Story by Captain Krysten Clifton. Photo by Michael Banovic.

A life of love and service

15/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 639 Views 0 Comments Army Logistic Training Centre, Federation Star

The Federation Star for 40 years of service is a great achievement for any Defence member, but to receive it

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and Indonesian Armed Forces personnel conduct live-fire serials as part of Exercise Keris Woomera on HMAS Adelaide. Story by Lieutenant Commander Gary McHugh. Photo by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Flexing high-seas firepower with TNI

15/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 898 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), Exercise Keris Woomera, HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Stuart, TNI

High-end maritime warfare was on the agenda recently during Exercise Keris Woomera. CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the

Warrant Officer Michael O'Brien is awarded a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Coin by Susan Templeman, the Federal member for Macquarie, for Australia’s participation in The International Force East Timor, at the Windsor and District Returned Services League Sub-Branch, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Madeleine Magee. Photo by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

ADF People History

Personnel recognised for peacekeeping efforts

15/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 638 Views 0 Comments East Timor, INTERFET

ADF personnel have been recognised with a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Coin for Australia’s participation in the International Force for East

New (right) and old (left) Panther fire trucks at RAAF base Amberly, October 2024. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New red-hot firefighting capability

15/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 653 Views 0 Comments Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Panther fire truck, RAAF Amberley, RAAFSFS

Air Force firefighters will be able to respond to aircraft incidents with enhanced safety, efficiency and effectiveness following the acquisition

HMAS Gascoyne II makes its final entry into Sydney Harbour prior to decommissioning. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Brandan Clothier. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Gascoyne home for the final time

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 717 Views 0 Comments HMAS Gascoyne, HMAS Waterhen, Huon-class Minehunter

After 23 years of faithful service, HMAS Gascoyne II sailed through Sydney Heads on its return home for the final

Navy’s Clearance Diving Team Four uses the Artemis underwater navigation sonar unit during a seabed training search at Palau Tioman, as part of Exercise Bersama Lima. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

News Royal Australian Navy

A first for Aussie clearance divers

13/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3297 Views 0 Comments Australian Clearance Dive Team 4, Exercise Bersama Lima, Five Power Defence Arrangements, Malaysia

The ADF has, for the first time, deployed a Navy clearance diving team to a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)

Soldiers take part in the 2024 7th Brigade military skills competition as part of the Commander’s Trophy at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army News

Awards shared in military skills comp

13/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 647 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, Commander’s Trophy, Gallipoli Barracks

Personnel from 7th Brigade have participated in the military skills competition as part of the Commander’s Trophy in early November.

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force's 33 Squadron meet their counterparts from the Republic of Korea Air Force at Gimhae Air Base during Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Building experience and connections in South Korea

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 866 Views 0 Comments Exercise Freedom Flag, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 114MRCU, Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines

A growing Australian presence at Exercise Freedom Flag 24-1 in the Republic of Korea recently allowed Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron members on the apron with the F-35A Lightning II at Paya Lebar Air Base during Exercise Bersama Lima 2024, Singapore. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Bersama Lima success across air, land and sea

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 680 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, F-35A Lightning II, Five Power Defence Arrangements, No. 77 Squadron, Singapore

Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 has concluded with all activities conducted across air, land and sea a resounding success. CAPTION: Royal Australian

Army chef Corporal Lee Kemp participates in one of the Exercise Golden Plate cooking scenarios at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. Story by Captain Joanne Leca. Photos by Sergeant Jason Slape.

Australian Army News

Chefs turn up the heat at Ex Golden Plate

13/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 289 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, 1st Catering Platoon, Exercise Golden Plate, PNGDF

Army chefs from across Australia were put to the ultimate culinary test at this year’s Exercise Golden Plate. CAPTION: Army chef

Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce. Story and photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Singapore jets wrap up in Western Australia

13/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 569 Views 0 Comments RAAF Pearce, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)

After four months and three rotations of two different models of aircraft, the Republic of Singapore (RSAF) Extended Fighter Detachment

Private William Higgs’ newly installed headstone at Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story. by Aaron Pegram. Photo courtesy of CWGC.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Search goes on for the lost but not forgotten

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 591 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A), Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

On Remembrance Day, as Australians reflect on the sacrifice of those who have served, the Manager of Unrecovered War Casualties

Australian Army soldiers and members of the Philippine Marine Corps conduct littoral assault training during Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines program at Marine Base Ternate, Philippines. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photos by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army Overseas Videos

Explosive start for sappers in the Philippines

12/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 629 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippine Marine Corps

Explosives, beach assaults and knife fighting kicked off the first two weeks of training between Australian soldiers and members of

Remembrance Day is a moment to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Story by Admiral David Johnston.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

The true cost of war is human

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 497 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

A Remembrance Day message from the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston. CAPTION: Remembrance Day is a moment to

From left, Warrant Officer Steven Burrows, Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis and Sergeant Ben Richardson prepare to take photos of marine traffic during a ramp ride on board a C-27J Spartan during Operation Kuru Kuru, Fiji. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

On the lookout for fishy business

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 473 Views 0 Comments 35 Squadron, C-27J Spartan, Operation Kuru Kuru, Operation Solania, Republic of Fiji Navy

A RAAF C-27J Spartan, its crew and support personnel from 35 Squadron recently deployed to Suva, Fiji, to support maritime

Members of Air Combat Electronic Attack Systems Program Office clean the memorial site for the lost aircrew of a downed F-111C during a team-building activity at Bundjalung National Park, Queensland. Story by Pilot Officer Timothy Sullivan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force Videos

A hike to F-111 crash site

08/11/202413/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 894 Views 0 Comments F-111, No. 6 Squadron

Members of the Air Combat Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (ACEASPO) have continued a longstanding tradition among the unit’s personnel,

EA-18G Growlers from 6 Squadron and F-35A Lightning IIs from 75 Squadron on the flight line at RAAF Base Tindal, NT, during Trial Swagman. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Brandon Murray.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Top End hosts electronic warfare trial

08/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1401 Views 0 Comments EA-18G Growler, F-35A Lightning II, Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU), No. 6 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Launching from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, 6 and 75 Squadron recently conducted Electronic Warfare (EW) testing of

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipient Lieutenant Lachlan Maill meets local villagers in Rabaul, PNG, during a historical battle tour. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Aspiring to lead in the spirit of Kokoda’s heroes

08/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 893 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, Kokoda Track, PNG, WWII

When Lieutenant Lachlan Maill heard cries for help near a shopping centre escalator, he didn’t hesitate. CAPTION: Australian Army Jonathan

Soldiers from 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel conduct urban training at Robertson Barracks, NT. Story by Lieutenant Commander Gary McHugh. Photos by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army News

Ambitious amphibious exercise begins

06/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 916 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), Exercise Keris Woomera, HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, TNI

The largest combined joint activity between the ADF and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) recently got underway. CAPTION: Soldiers from 5th

raftsman Hyun Kim at US Army Garrison Humphreys in the Republic of Korea during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 24. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photos by Lieutenant Commander Brendan Trembath.

Australian Army News Overseas

Sweaty-palms moment for interpreter in Korea

06/11/202413/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 735 Views 0 Comments Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield, Republic of Korea

There are many high-pressure roles in the ADF, but maybe none quite like interpreting a conversation between two senior officers