Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Brigadier Deane Limmer holds a Blue Bar Cock pigeon at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Flying in the face of danger

04/03/202505/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1018 Views 0 Comments Dickin Medal, National Day for War Animals, Royal Australian Corps of Signals

In 1944, a small patrol of US marines hacked through dense jungle towards a waiting enemy. CAPTION: Brigadier Deane Limmer holds

Personnel from Navy's Leadership Management Development Centre with NRL referees and staff at HMAS Penguin.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

NRL tackles leadership skills with Navy

04/03/202505/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 498 Views 0 Comments HMAS Penguin

Navy recently welcomed leadership teams, support staff and referees from the National Rugby League (NRL) elite officiating teams to undertake

Soldiers from the 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a room clearance at the close-quarter battle area of the open-plan weapons training simulation system at Robertson Barracks in Darwin. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army News

Game-changer for close-quarter battle skills

04/03/202504/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 767 Views 1 Comment 5/7 RAR, OP WTSS, Robertson Barracks

A new $17 million combat simulation facility, featuring 840 square metres of manoeuvrable floor space and a close-quarter battle range,

Gunners from 102nd Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery participate in the re-enactment of the Bombing of Darwin. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

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

Darwin bombing a call to defend the north

04/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 805 Views 2 Comments 8th/12th Regiment RAA, RAAF Darwin, WWII

From RAAF Base Darwin, a young Brian Winspear saw Japanese bombs glinting in the sun like confetti above Darwin on

Retired Australian Army combat assault dogs Aslan, left, and Manic, of the 2nd Commando Regiment, receive the inaugural Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF ADF People Veterans

Commando canines honoured for service

28/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1522 Views 0 Comments 2nd Commando Regiment, Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award, aww, Dogs of Valour, Middle East Region, Military Working Dogs, Purple Popply Day, Service Dogs

A retired combat assault dog named Manic, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Iraq, received a new award

A small group of ADF personnel, including Commander of the Australian Contingent Colonel Mark Coyle, centre, close off Australia’s commitment to Operation Okra at Aussie House inside US military base Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Story by Lieutenant Commander Max Logan.

Australian Army Middle East News

Flag comes down, soldiers come home

28/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1253 Views 0 Comments Middle East Region, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

The Australian flag descended at Combined Joint Task Force – Middle East in Kuwait for the final time in December,

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks with guests at the Bombing of Darwin memorial unveiling at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes sacrifice in WWII attack

28/02/202514/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1000 Views 0 Comments Bombing of Darwin, Chief of Air Force, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, WWII

Two memorials honouring the sacrifice of aviators killed in a Japanese attack have been unveiled in Darwin. CAPTION: Chief of Air

The Foreign Forces Desert Immersion Course instructs military personnel in Bedouin culture and desert tactics, techniques and procedures. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Aldrich.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

UAE survival training taps into Bedouin skills

26/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1239 Views 0 Comments Headquarters Middle East, NZDF, survival course

Military personnel have seized a chance to enhance their skills through a one-of-a-kind tactical desert training course. CAPTION: The Foreign

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Update 8, 9 & 10 Added – People’s Liberation Army–Navy vessels operating near Australia

26/02/202513/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2698 Views 2 Comments China, New Zealand Defence Force, PLA-N

People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class

A RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft departs Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 25. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Tankers band together in Guam

25/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1364 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Guam, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Australian, Japanese and American refuelling aircraft have joined forces to feed thirsty fast jets in the skies above Guam. CAPTION: A

A RAAF 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet pilot, weapons systems officer and ground crew member meet for pre-flight checks during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 in Nevada, US. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Enhanced teamwork for technicians in Nevada

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1159 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and

Army soldier Sergeant Brent Power, a preventative medicine technician, remembers working on Operation Flood Assist at his home town of Casino, NSW, three years ago. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Australian Army History

Remembering devastating floods, three years on

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 890 Views 0 Comments Operation Flood Assist 2022

In 2022, then-Corporal Brent Power saw his home town of Casino, NSW, transformed into a river of diesel, rotting animal

Karen Curtis and her grandchildren with the World War 2 service medals of her great uncle Sergeant William O’Shea at the Timaru War Memorial in New Zealand, after the medals were returned by Chaplain Haydn Lea. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Medals land in safe hands

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 562 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, No. 25 Squadron, RNZAF, WWII

As New Zealander aviator Sergeant William O’Shea’s Wellington bomber barrelled through heavy flak over Germany, a cone of light tracked

Army Corporal Mark Donaldson, VC, speaks to soldiers during a visit to the Trainee Rehabilitation Wing on Holsworthy Barracks, NSW. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photos by Sergeant Brodie Cross.

ADF People Australian Army History

VC recipients inspire the troops

21/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1412 Views 0 Comments Holsworthy Barracks, Mark Donaldson VC

Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC, remembered thinking to himself that there was no one coming to help. CAPTION: Army Corporal Mark Donaldson,

Regimental Sergeant Major of the Defence Force School of Signals, Warrant Officer Class One Benn Goulter, orders signallers to 'march on' at the start of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals centenary parade in Melbourne. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian Army News Videos

Sending signals for a century

21/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2032 Views 0 Comments Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Army Signallers gathered at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 competitor Sergeant Emily Lahey is welcomed on board a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A aircraft by Leading Aircraftwoman Lily Cooper. Story. by Flying Officer Tina Langridge.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie warriors’ inspiring Invictus journey ends

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1332 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport

Team Australia’s incredible Invictus Games 2025 campaign has officially concluded after an inspiring and intense nine-day international competition. CAPTION: Invictus Games