Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton (L) and Royal Australian Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman shake hands at the 80 Squadron re-formation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photos by USAF Samuel King Jr.

Two air forces re-form an 80 Squadron together

03/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2047 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, No. 80 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

In a significant move for allied air capability, the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force have re-formed their

Flight Lieutenant Max and Flying Officer Cooper McClymont prepare to depart RAAF Base East Sale in a RAAF EA-18G Growler during Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

6 Squadron circumnavigates Australia

03/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1813 Views 0 Comments EA-18G Growler, Exercise Centenarie Redimus, F-111, No. 6 Squadron, RAAF East Sale

Aviators from 6 Squadron have completed a seven-day journey circumnavigating Australia in honour of Wing Commander Stanley Goble and Flight

Leading Seaman Peta Binns' great-great uncle, 2nd Lieutenant George Oakley Newton, is circled in a photo of his cadet class. Story by Leading Seaman Peta Binns. Photo supplied by Australian War Memorial (P00864.001).

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Feeling the weight of a military legacy – Anzac Day

03/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 865 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, WWI

A pilgrimage to Anzac Cove prompted Leading Seaman Peta Binns to reflect on the sacrifice and valour etched into her

A RAAF C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron parked at Telefomin Airport, Papua New Guinea, during the Defence Pacific Air Program. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Spartan strengthens partnerships in PNG

03/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2442 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Defence Pacific Air Program (DPAP), No. 35 Squadron, Papua New Guinea

Flying across the highlands of Papua New Guinea, a RAAF C-27J Spartan conducted airlift operations in support of its close

Singer-guitarist Bill Waterhouse performs at the Majors Creek Anzac Day service. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring shared history among the magpies – Anzac Day

02/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 729 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Vietnam War, WWI

The warble of magpies and chuckling of kookaburras filled the country air at Majors Creek as residents marched behind Australian

Air Force aviators deployed to Solomon Islands unload a RAAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III at Honiara Henderson Airport. Story by Major Tom Maclean. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

ADF support for Solomon Islands election

01/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1569 Views 0 Comments Bell 412, C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster III, C-27J Spartan, No. 382 Squadron, Solomon Islands

Australian military aircraft played a major role in the Solomon Islands during national elections, moving police, military and civilian specialists

The Headquarters Middle East Anzac Day memorial following the dawn service. Story. and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Keeping traditions alive in the Middle East – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 843 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, Middle East, PTSD

Deployed servicemen and women in the Middle East gathered before first light to mark 109 years since the Gallipoli landings

Army soldiers from 10th Force Support Battalion conduct a beach landing of an HX-40M during Exercise Green Anchor. Story by Captain Joanne Leca.

Australian Army News

10th Force Support Battalion conduct beach landings

01/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1171 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, 17th Sustainment Brigade, Exercise Green Anchor, HX-40M, LCM-8

Soldiers from the 10th Force Support Battalion (10FSB) conducted beach landings and reconnaissance missions during their annual littoral training at

Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander David Riddel and Mark Johnson clean the memorial plaque at the crash site of F-111G A8-291, in Pulau Aur, Malaysia. Story. y Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Arduous trek to visit site of F-111 crash

01/05/202418/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1498 Views 0 Comments F-111, No. 6 Squadron

Comradeship and camaraderie of the absolute highest order was on display as a group of family and close friends of

Armament technicians from 1 Squadron load an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile onto an F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Aircraftwoman Vanessa Wang.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Top-down teamwork readies aircraft for combat

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1275 Views 1 Comment AGM-84 Harpoon, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron

As part of 1 Squadron’s rolling 12-month armament training, their armament technicians loaded AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles to F/A-18F Super

The flags of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Turkiye are held over the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey following the conclusion of the Anzac Day memorial service. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Honouring the Anzac spirit in London – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1007 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, United Kingdom

Large crowds turned out in London for Anzac Day services led by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. CAPTION: The

Michael Apperley, left, and Paul Longley, right, meet after many years at their unit citation ceremony in HMAS Moreton. Story by Lieutenant Rebecca Williamson. Photos by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

History News Royal Australian Navy

SEQ Navy vets receive Somalia citation at HMAS Moreton

01/05/202401/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1010 Views 0 Comments HMAS Moreton, Meritorious Unit Citation

Six Navy veterans have received the Meritorious Unit Citation, for sustained outstanding service in warlike operation. CAPTION: Michael Apperley, left, and

Leading Aircraftman Connor Bourn from Australia's Federation Guard participates in the Catafalque Party during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller

ADF People Lest We Forget

Strengthening Anzac and PNG bonds – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 589 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Dawn broke across Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wreath-laying and the playing of the

Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide an escort of honour at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Anzac Day 2024 commemorations in Story by Sergeant David Said. Photo by Corporal Sam Price.

ADF People Lest We Forget

Anzac Day commemorated in the Philippines – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 825 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Philippines

To commemorate Anzac Day, a dawn service was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Philippines. CAPTION: Personnel

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart speaks with Ukrainian soldiers training under Operation Kudu during a visit to the United Kingdom. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

ADF People Australian Army Lest We Forget

Chief of Army visits Aussie troops in England

26/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1506 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Army, Villers-Bretonneux

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart urged Australians across the world to honour the words of the Ode of

Army soldiers from 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Anzac Day march Brisbane city. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Private Alfred Stauder.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News

Emotional day for personnel, veterans and families – Anzac Day

26/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1922 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, ANZAC Day, Gallipoli Barracks

Members of the Army’s 7th Brigade took part in Anzac Day commemorations in Brisbane to pay their respect to current

The crew of RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail meet Australia's High Commissioner, Stephen Smith, at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland after a six month European deployment as part of Operation Kudu. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Guardian a blessing in the skies

26/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1815 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron, Operation Kudu, RAAF Williamtown, Ukraine

Australia’s watchful ‘guardian-from-above’, the E-7A Wedgetail, has returned home after providing critical early-warning protection for the military and humanitarian logistic

An Australian Army soldier from the 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, helps clear a village during Exercise Regional Warfighter in Tully, Queensland. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Private Alfred Stauder.

Australian Army News Videos

Aussies and French tackle Tully on Regional Warfighter

23/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2907 Views 0 Comments 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Regional Warfighter, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia

Jungle conditions and wet weather challenged soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8/9RAR) and the French Armed Forces

Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, visits the resting place of her distant cousin, Private Victor Westbrook, at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Sergeant Oliver Carter.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Cousins ‘unite’ in France a century later – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 952 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, AWM, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

As told by Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, to Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook,

Flying Officer Nathan Peters, of 37 Squadron, in front of a C-130J Hercules during a non-flying period at RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Proud to march on familiar streets – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 998 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, No. 37 Squadron

Flying Officer Nathan Peters, of 37 Squadron, explains why this Anzac Day holds a particular significance for him. (As told