Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australia's Federation Guard members, Corporal Michael Byrne, left, Able Seaman Christopher Innis and Corporal Julie Kling with photos of their relatives at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Honouring past relatives on French soil – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 931 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

Almost 106 years after guns fell silent in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux, one of the descendants of a soldier killed

Merchant Navy veteran Don Kennedy receives the Merchant Mariners of WW2 Congressional Gold Medal from US Consul General Christine Elder at a ceremony in Sydney, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Merchant Navy veteran honoured – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 645 Views 0 Comments RSL, WWII

In February 1943, 16-year-old Don Kennedy from Manly, NSW, jumped on board the Norwegian tanker MT Seirstad and cruised out

Navy sailor Able Seaman Rachel Brandt at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family history motivates Defence service – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 560 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, AWM, WWI

A booby trap detonated and collapsed the Bapaume town hall in France on March 25, 1917, killing Lance Corporal Jules

Four RAAF 100 Squadron Beaufort Bombers head for Wewak, North New Guinea, in 1945. Photo provided by the Australian War Memorial / OG3365

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Missing World War II bomber and crew found

17/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2251 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Royal Australian Air Force has positively identified a 100 Squadron World War II Beaufort aircraft (A9-186), first reported missing in

Special operations first-aid course participants assess a casualty role-player and prepare for field medical care under the supervision of Australian and American directing staff. (Images have been digitally altered for security purposes.). Story by Major N.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Course builds special forces capability

17/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1845 Views 0 Comments 1st Commando Regiment

1st Commando Regiment completed its inaugural special operations first-aid course recently, to enable special warfare operators to develop the skills

A traditional ceremonial guardian doll and handwritten letter from the Ukrainian community in Australia sits on the desk of a Ukrainian soldier attending an Australian Army-led leadership course in England. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF News UK

Letters from Australia lift Ukrainian spirits

17/04/202423/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1421 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Chaplains, Operation Kudu

The room was quiet and the mood was subdued as an Australian Army chaplain stood before a classroom of Armed

An Australian Army soldier delivers a Platoon and Company Sergeants Battle Course lesson to Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in the United Kingdom during March for Operation Kudu. (Image has been digitally altered for security purposes.) Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News UK

Reservists enhance Ukrainian soldiers’ survivability

17/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1826 Views 2 Comments 9th Brigade, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Army Reserve, Finnish Contingent, Operation Interflex, Operation Kudu

Four Australian Army Reserves engineers have deployed with the first rotation of Australian Army soldiers delivering leadership training courses to

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, prepare to lead a section during the Section Commanders Battle Course in Darwin, NT. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photos by Corporal Gregory Scott.

Australian Army News

5RAR building junior-leader battle skills

12/04/202413/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1536 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Section Commanders Battle Course (SCBC)

By day or night, an infantry soldier is expected to operate, lead and command. CAPTION: Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal

Participants endure the gruelling Special Forces Challenge to help troubled young Australians get their lives back on track. Story by John Noble. Photo by Terry Campese Foundation.

ADF People

Taking it to the limit

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1033 Views 0 Comments No. 34 Squadron, RAAF Reserve, Special Forces Challenge

Being fit and strong for service in the ADF can be physically demanding, but for one Air Force reservist it

Australian Army Public Relations Service's Corporal Andrew Sleeman and Head of Corps Colonel Jason Logue cut the birthday cake at 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit, Canberra, in celebration of the corps' 30th birthday. Story by Major Lily Mulholland. Photo by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

ADF People Australian Army

Army’s youngest corps turns 30

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1941 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Public Relations Service (AAPRS)

The Australian Army Public Relations Service (AAPRS) celebrated its 30th anniversary on March 31. CAPTION: Australian Army Public Relations Service’s Corporal

The newly renovated dining area of the Larrakeyah junior sailors' and other ranks' mess at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, NT. Story by Leading Seaman Angus Koch. Photos by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Coonawarra galley gets a facelift

12/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1347 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra

HMAS Coonawarra recently embarked on a voyage of transformation – an initiative aimed at optimising key areas, notably the galley

A parade signified the transfer of command of Army Aviation Training Centre and their subordinate units to 16th Aviation Brigade. Story by Major Carolyn Barnett. Photos by Craftsman Luc McLean.

Australian Army News

Parade marks milestone for Army aviation

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1942 Views 0 Comments 16th Aviation Brigade, Army Aviation Training Centre, RAAF Townsville

Army aviation’s command and control has been streamlined following the transfer of command of Army Aviation Training Centre and its

Army helicopter pilot Lieutenant Nicole Ravell and aircrew operator Corporal Corren James, of 723 Squadron, on the flight line at HMAS Albatross. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Helicopter trainees take wing

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1679 Views 0 Comments EC-135, HMAS Albatross, No. 723 Squadron

723 Squadron is developing Navy and Army helicopter pilots and aircrew operators in a challenging course spanning nine and six

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman, left and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, right, present the Enlisted Aviator of the Year Award to Corporal Kbora Ali. Story by Flying Officer Kate Kiely. Photos by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Chief of Air Force Proficiency and Leadership awards

12/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1264 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

One Australian Public Service employee, four aviators and six units were recipients of the Chief of Air Force (CAF) Proficiency

Participants enjoy the Navy-initiated co-located education and childcare trial with Cowork Coplay at the Gary Holland Centre in Rockingham, WA. Story by Esmarie Fulton. Photos by Chief Petty Officer Nina Fogliani.

ADF People

Navy trials free childcare and partner mentoring

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 792 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling, stirling

A six-week trial provided Navy families with professional mentoring for three hours a week and free childcare at the same location.

Australian Army soldiers deployed on Operation Kudu, with members from the Finnish Army, deliver a platoon and company sergeants battle course to Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in the United Kingdom. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News Videos

Enhancing Ukrainian war skills

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2429 Views 1 Comment Operation Interflex, Operation Kudu, Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF)

Australian and Finnish Army soldiers are providing leadership training courses to Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers to enhance their

The Roulettes aerobatic display team thrills at the Canberra Airport open day with formation flying in their PC-21 aircraft over the event crowd and a C-130J Hercules. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Canberra Airport open day gets thumbs up

09/04/202413/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1829 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, Canberra Airport, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, Roulettes

Canberra Airport held its open day on April 6, throwing wide the doors to thousands of members of the public

9 Squadron Association patron and former Commanding Officer, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Angus Houston is shown the Squadron Standard following the 9 Squadron reactivation ceremony at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF squadron celebrates new chapter

09/04/202413/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1685 Views 0 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Point Cook

As the Royal Australian Air Force’s 9 Squadron gears up to introduce the MQ-4C Triton this year, anticipation mounted for

Able Seaman Grayden Ash inspects the SeaFox expendable mine neutralisation system onboard a mine countermeasure support boat during Exercise Dugong 24. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Leading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Career lights a spark for sailor

09/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1324 Views 0 Comments ADV Guidance, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), Exercise Dugong, HMAS Waterhen, SeaFox Expendable Mine Neutralisation System

With undersea technology moving towards robotic and autonomous systems, it’s an exciting time to be in mine warfare, according to

Lieutenant Dylan Root at Majura Training Area, ACT. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Setting trainees on the right path

27/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1986 Views 0 Comments Royal Australian Naval College

Training the next generation of Navy officers has its challenges, but for Divisional Officer Lieutenant Dylan Root, it has been