Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

ADF candidates march with heavy loads during the 2024 Special Forces Common Selection Course. Story and photos by Major Roger Brennan.

Combined special forces selection course a first

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2595 Views 0 Comments Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Special Operations Command (SOCOMD)

For the first time, Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) has run a combined selection course, allowing ADF personnel to apply for

Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon, with his fiancé Kate Barry and their three children, Jonty, Leila and Tillie, enjoying a family holiday. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Navy Videos

‘Family is everything’ – National Families Week

17/05/202417/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2154 Views 0 Comments Cowork Coplay, HMAS Perth, National Families Week

Living in Rockhampton, WA, with three children under six and a fiancé at sea, Kate Barry faces many daily challenges.

Army Chaplain James Hall, of 6th Battalion, the Royal Australia Regiment, in the unit's social gaming hub at Gallipoli Barracks, with equipment donated by Veteran Gaming Australia. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Gaming a useful tool for social connection

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1166 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Chaplains, Veteran Gaming Australia, Virtual Reality (VR)

After being posted to Darwin, away from his family, Chaplain James Hall would play Xbox games online with his sons

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 2067 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

RAAF 36 Squadron personnel walk from a C-17 Globemaster towards Hurley’s Hangar after arriving at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East region. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Aussies deploy on Operation Hydranth

17/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1580 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Middle East Region, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Accordion, Operation Beech, Operation Hydranth, Operation Kudu

As Houthi rebels sank and raided vessels in the Red Sea, the Australian Government announced ADF personnel would deploy under

Flight Lieutenant Max, left, and Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, a trainee from 2 Flight Training School, before an incentive flight in an EA-18G Growler at RAAF base Pearce during Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Story by Flying Officer Michael Thomas. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Motivation for a fast-jet career

17/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1053 Views 0 Comments 2FTS, EA-18G Growler, No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

Winning a game of ‘scissors, paper, rock’ usually doesn’t mean much, but for student pilot Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, his

Flight Sergeant Gordan Hamilton's portrait on display during the memorial service of four WW2 RAAF servicemen at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Wing Commander Bruce Chalmers. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Farewelled eight decades later

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1411 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, RAAF Amberley, WWII

Brought down in action in September 1943, the crew of 100 Squadron’s Beaufort Bomber A9-186 were farewelled during a combined

Captain Bronte Franklin with her United Nations Award received during Exercise Freedom Shield, stands outside Headquarters 1st (Australian) Division, Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photo by Corporal Miguel Anonuevo.

ADF People Australian Army

Space planner’s role signals evolution of warfare

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1204 Views 0 Comments 1st (Australian) Division, Exercise Freedom Shield, Gallipoli Barracks

Captain Bronte Franklin’s destiny was seemingly written in the stars, with her career as a Royal Australian Signals officer leading

Air Force's Corporal Anthony Holmes, left, Leading Aircraftman Matthew Park and Leading Aircraftman Ryan Wilson operate a concrete-cutting saw at Basa Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Balikatan. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Nations work together to keep runways open

15/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1844 Views 0 Comments Exercise Balikatan, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron

A team from RAAF’s 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron took a lead role in airfield damage repair training during Exercise

Joint terminal attack controller Bombardier Jackson Lawrence (right) alongside JTAC and Ground Forward Air Controllers (GFAC) from the UK and Malaysia call in close air support from a Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 in the Tioman Island group, Malaysia during Exercise Bersama Shield 2024. Story by Lieutenant Mick Wheeler.

Australian Army News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Bombardiers on target at Bersama Shield

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1908 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield, Five Power Defence Arrangements, ground forward air controllers, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, No. 6 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force

For two members of the Australian contingent in Malaysia participating in Exercise Bersama Shield 2024, the opportunity to exercise their

Cyber health is now an integral part of sea worthiness – the Navy’s cyber hygiene is of a high standard and in line with current levels of required security. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

News Royal Australian Navy

Cyber awareness at sea

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1442 Views 0 Comments cyber warfare

In a shooting war at sea, the last thing someone might think about is cyber health, but with the way

One of Australia's most decorated military nurses, Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, has been immortalised in bronze at the Australian War Memorial. Story by Melinda Hoare.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

‘Essential contribution’ of nurses recognised

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1493 Views 0 Comments AWM, International Nurses Day, Vivian Bullwinkel

In recognition of International Nurses Day (May 12), the Australian Defence Force’s senior health leaders have paid tribute to the

Scientists from La Trobe University calibrate motion-capture cameras during a marksmanship training trial at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

Weapons ‘Fitbit’ gets a run to improve accuracy

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1342 Views 0 Comments 13th Brigade, 7th Brigade, DSTG, EF88 Austyer rifle, Enoggera Barracks, MantisX training System

A trial is under way to test if dry-firing with a ‘Fitbit for shooting’ can improve soldiers’ live-fire skills. CAPTION: Scientists

Nikki Dohnt, of the Military Police Central Records Office, sorts through archives in Canberra.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Historical police records used in trend analysis

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1339 Views 0 Comments Military Police Central Records Office

Stolen valour, meal fraud and theft of military equipment are among the archived criminal investigations in the stacks of boxes

Lieutenant Holly Boubouras in front of a Basler aircraft at Casey Skiway before a flight to Bunger Hills, Antarctica.

ADF People

A glimpse of life on the ice

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1226 Views 0 Comments Australian Antarctic Program, C-17A Globemaster III, RSV Nuyina

People who think meteorologists in Australia are under pressure to get the forecast right should spare a thought for those

Australian Army soldiers explore the waters of Tulamben, Bali, during Exercise Lions Dive. Story by Captain Peter March. Photos by Captain Matthew Eden.

Australian Army News

Soldiers dive deep into resilience training

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1340 Views 0 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment, Exercise Lions Dive

Soldiers and officers of the 1st Armoured Regiment travelled to Tulamben, Bali, in April on Exercise Lions Dive for resilience

Victorian Governor Margaret Elaine Gardner, right, presents the daughter of Pilot Officer David Taylor, Margaret Ekberg, with his Medal for Gallantry for heroism in PNG during WW2. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering heroism 82 years on

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 670 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Their mission was as dangerous as any during World War 2, and more than 80 years after coming down in

Chief Petty Officer Gavin Stevens has received a Medal of Gallantry for helping to defuse a 200kg bomb in Iraq in 2003. Story by Lieutenant Madelyn Hanna. Photo by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Bravery on the battlefield commended – Anzac Day

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1186 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Iraq

This Anzac Day was memorable for Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Gavin Stevens, who marched donning his Medal for Gallantry for

Leading Seaman Nicholas Parks said the 3D printer was a welcome addition to HMAS Warramunga. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

3D printers the key to solutions at sea

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1121 Views 0 Comments 3d Printer, HMAS Warramunga

Together, a 3D printer and an innovative technician have kept even the most troublesome inconveniences at bay for HMAS Warramunga.

Flight Lieutenant Nick Adam, left, Squadron Leader Andrew Marks from 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Captain Alexandra Blecich from 2nd Health Brigade, assist 'Hero', a technical training aid, during a critical care aeromedical evacuation scenario. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Taking military dog care to great heights

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1201 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Brigade, C-17A Globemaster III, military critical care aeromedical evacuation team (MCAT), Military Working Dogs, No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES), RAAF Amberley

A military working dog and two handlers lie motionless on stretchers near the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster. CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Nick