Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Sapper Jack Henderson, from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, throws wood on a pile for the Garma Festival during Exercise Predator's Run in Nhulunbuy, NT. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Predators Run into Nhulunbuy for week of activities

31/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 886 Views 0 Comments 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Exercise Predator’s Run

For the parents and children at the Nhulunbuy Aquatic Centre, the chance to beat the soldiers in a match of

The last M1A1 Abrams main battle tank rolled out of Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. The new Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tanks will be introduced later this year. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Brisbane’s last tank rolls out of Gallipoli Barracks

31/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1104 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), 7th Brigade, Defence Strategic Review, Gallipoli Barracks, M1A1 Abrams, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams

The last M1A1 Abrams main battle tank rolled out of Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, as Army continues its implementation of the

Corporal Monique Jeynes and Corporal Amanda Wintle on the ramp of a RAAF C-27J Spartan prepare to airdrop supplies over the Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, as part of the Defence Pacific Air Program.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Resupply on the Kokoda Track right on target

31/07/202403/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1131 Views 0 Comments 35 Squadron, C-27J Spartan, Defence Pacific Air Program (DPAP), Kokoda Track, PNG

Though target practice is usually the preserve of Air Force’s fast jet squadrons, for members of 35 Squadron a recent

A RAAF FA-18F Super Hornet aircraft departs RAAF Base Darwin for a night flying mission as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Back-seat bandits on Exercise Pitch Black

30/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1014 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Darwin

As Exercise Pitch Black continues to play out in the Northern Territory and all eyes look towards the sky, the

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 1105 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

The Pacific Skies 24 contingent from France, Germany and Spain at RAAF Base Darwin to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

European unity under southern skies

26/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1528 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Pacific Skies 24, RAAF Darwin

Multiple European aircraft from France, Germany and Spain have touched down in Darwin for Pacific Skies 24. CAPTION: The Pacific Skies

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Aircraft Engineer Joshua Magun, of Air Transport Wing, inspects a PNGDF PAC P-750XL prior to a sortie during Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New ground for PNG forces

26/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1738 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, PNGDF

From the rugged and jungle-covered mountains of Papua New Guinea to the flat and arid terrain of northern Australia, Pacific

Deputy Chief of Army Major General Christopher Smith, left, presents Warrant Officer Class 1 Rodney Speter with his two Federation Stars for 45 years of service. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Andrew Hetherington.

ADF People Australian Army

Still serving after 45 years

26/07/202403/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1382 Views 0 Comments

It is not every day a soldier receives a Federation Star for 40-plus years’ service, but last month, 65-year-old Warrant

A RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) pilot's view of a French Airbus A330 MRTT as they attempt to connect for air-to-air refuelling during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF’s petrol station of the skies

25/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1647 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

While cruising at an altitude of 23,000 feet, sitting in a comfortable over-wing seat of a modified Airbus A330, you

Aircraftman Mausam Ghaley was born in Bhutan and spent most of his youth in a refugee camp in Nepal before fleeing to Australia with his mother.

ADF People Videos

Through adversity to the stars

25/07/202425/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1886 Views 0 Comments

Aircraftman Mausam Ghaley grew up in a refugee camp after fleeing his home country, Bhutan. Fifteen years since settling in

Two new resources will help leaders address personnel issues arising from psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Story by John Noble. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF homes in on psychosocial hazards

25/07/202402/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1210 Views 0 Comments Directorate of Mental Health and Wellbeing – Air Force (MH&W-AF), Human Performance and Safety (HPS)

The Royal Australian Air Force has introduced a suite of products to help commanders and team leaders support the mental

From left, a Royal Air Force corporal, Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Benjamin Selwood, Royal New Zealand Air Force Corporal Rikki Rawleigh and Patrol Dog McClane patrol the apron at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Kiwis send largest contingent to Pitch Black 24

25/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1196 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, NZDF, RAAF Darwin

Australia’s friends from across the ditch have sent their largest contingent to the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest international exercise.

Philippine Army soldiers conduct an urban clearance serial led by the joint Australian training team - Philippines at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz. Story. by Captain Thomas Kaye. Photo by Sergeant Brodie Cross.

Australian Army News Overseas

Australian and Filipino soldiers exchange tactics

24/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1333 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, land mobile training team (LMTT)

Mortars, urban combat clearance, signals, first aid and combat shooting were just some of the categories of training conducted in

Parents, Sergeant Kim and Mrs Clare James with their kids, displaying their Child of ADF Medallions and certificates. Story by Ben Wickham. Photos by Ben Wickham.

ADF People

Recognising the ADF’s youngest supporters

24/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 890 Views 0 Comments Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS), Holsworthy Barracks

More than 150 Sydney-based children of ADF members have been presented with medallions, commending them for resilience and personal growth

Yuri, an F-35A pilot with the Italian Air Force, on the flightline during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Edwards. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Italy soars into Pitch Black debut

24/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1195 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Italian Air Force (ItAF), RAAF Darwin

As the sun rose over RAAF Base Darwin, F-35s from one of Exercise Pitch Black’s newest participants took to the

Second Lieutenant Cecil Healy is the only Australian Olympian to have died in combat.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering Aussie Olympic Gold medalist killed in action

24/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1198 Views 0 Comments France, WWI

Olympians Kaarle McCulloch and Michelle Ford have honoured the memory of Cecil Healy, the only Australian Olympic gold medallist to die

From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton; Saskia Hobbs and Reverend Mark Perry take part in the lighting of the candle ceremony. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Lighting a candle for fallen aviators on London trip

19/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1602 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, RAF, United Kingdom

Australia’s new Chief of Air Force has embarked on his first overseas trip, arriving in London for a series of

Soldiers from 11th Brigade move out from Porton Barracks in Cairns in their Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles at the start of Exercise Austral Shield. Story by Captain Andrew Lee. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian Army News

Austral Shield turns up the heat

19/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1719 Views 0 Comments 11th brigade, 9th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment, Army Reserve, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, Exercise Austral Shield

On a comfortable 26-degree winter’s day in Far North Queensland, Army personnel, vehicles and equipment from Brisbane’s 11th Brigade arrived

Captain Matthew Flinders. Story by Lieutenant Commander JA Thompson.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Captain Matthew Flinders finally returns home

19/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1493 Views 0 Comments

The ADF was on hand recently for the reburial of the Royal Navy captain who led the first circumnavigation of

Australian Army surveyor Sapper Shaun Jackson from 6th Engineer Support Regiment completes a surveying task as part of the 2024 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme in Amata, SA. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photo by Private Jack Hayes.

ADF People Australian Army

Army surveyors shoot lasers

19/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1429 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, AACAP

Shooting lasers is all in a day’s work for the small cohort of Army surveyors. CAPTION: Australian Army surveyor Sapper Shaun