Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Mackenzie (right), Commanding Officer of Operation Lilia, cuts the ribbon on water tanks delivered through an ADF-led community infrastructure project at a handover event in the Gilbert Camp community. Story by Sergeant Felicity Richardson and Major Simon Hampson. Photo by Warrant Offer Class 1 Bruce McLean.

Aid projects delivered in Solomon Islands

31/10/202301/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1311 Views 0 Comments Operation Lilia, Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF)

Australian and New Zealand Defence Force members of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force recently celebrated the completion of three ADF-led

A McGraths Hill Learning Centre student raises his hand to ask questions during a visit from No 37 Squadron members, Flight Lieutenant Brendan Smith and Corporal Natashia Jorgensen. Story by Tastri Murdoch. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

ADF People

Pre-schoolers imagine themselves as RAAF aircrew

27/10/202328/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1010 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, RAAF Richmond

Hearing the familiar rumble of an aircraft flying low overhead, preschoolers from McGraths Hill Learning Centre turned their gazes upwards

Australian Navy Cadets stand by HMAS Huon during a port visit to Devonport, Tasmania in September 2023. Story by Able Seaman Casey Buurveld. Photo by Able Seaman Jamie Snaize.

News Royal Australian Navy

Huon heads home

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2071 Views 0 Comments HMAS Huon

HMAS Huon recently embarked on a voyage to Tasmania to engage with the local community and allow potential future recruits

The classified-level Exercise Cyber Sentinels was held in Canberra in October. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Taking cyber warfare training to new heights

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1787 Views 0 Comments Defence Strategic Review, Exercise Cyber Sentinels

In the first classified-level cyber exercise of its kind, Australian and US military cyber experts joined forces to battle simulated

Master Corporal James Gendron, from the Canadian Armed Forces, was gifted Hoppy the koala by the Australian Army in 2009, as a thank you for piping at a ramp ceremony for serviceman Andrew Hopkins following his death in Afghanistan. Story by Belinda Barker. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Andrew Dakin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget Veterans Videos

Fallen Australian inspires Team Canada

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3637 Views 1 Comment 7th Battalion RAR, Afghanistan, Invictus Games

Corporal Mathew Ricky Andrew Hopkins of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009

Australian Army Reserve Trooper Liam Lamb from 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers cavalry regiment prepares for the freedom of entry to Armidale on October 28 alongside his parents Professor David Lamb and Jane Lamb. Story by Lieutenant John Cranley.

ADF People History

Long connection between community, service and family

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1079 Views 1 Comment 12/16 Hunter River Lancers, Army Reserve, Freedom of Entry

On October 28, a grand parade will wind its way through the heart of Armidale, NSW, to celebrate the 12/16

Then Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies, left, presents Warrant Officer Wayne Newman with his second clasp to the Federation Star for 45 years’ service in the RAAF in 2016. Story by Corporal Madhur Chitnis. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History

Serenity now: it’s all about attitude

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 861 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

A lecture from his mother about not cleaning people’s toilets forever prompted 15-year-old Wayne, then an apprentice plumber, to join

Royal Australian Navy officer Lieutenant Commander John Dover makes an ascent on Mount Everest. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People

Chopper pilot conquers Everest

27/10/202328/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 969 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, No. 723 Squadron

Standing on the roof of the world, Lieutenant Commander John Dover spoke to his wife at base camp, three-and-a-half kilometres

Gap Year Seaman Vimbayi Hakutangwi with a dive helmet at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia. Story by Richard Wilkins. Photo by Able Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

ADF People

Achieving goals personally and professionally

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1902 Views 0 Comments ADF Gap Year, Clearance Diving Team 4, HMAS Stirling

Seaman Vimbayi Hakutangwi is hoping to inspire others, particularly young women, to pursue a career in Defence and show it

A RAAF aviator finalises a systems check of an F/A-18F Super Hornet at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth during Exercise Bersama Lima, Malaysia. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Refuelling aircraft and aviators

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1596 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 19 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

Members of 19 Squadron fuelled aircraft and aviators during Exercise Bersama Lima. CAPTION: A RAAF aviator finalises a systems check of

Lieutenant Commander Emily Ross accepts flowers from Vietnam People's Navy Captain Ngyuen Viet Ahn during HMAS Toowoomba's departure ceremony at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

Visit to Vietnam builds on 50 years of partnership

27/10/202327/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1117 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Vietnam

After a busy three months, Indo-Pacific Endeavour’s Vietnamese leg has wrapped up, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations between

As part of Australia's continued support to Ukraine, a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail has been deployed to help protect a vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance. Photo by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Europe News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie Wedgetail in Germany to support Ukraine

27/10/202330/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1771 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Operation Kudu, Ukraine

A RAAF E-7A Wedgetail has deployed to Germany in support of multinational efforts helping to protect a vital gateway of

A DHC-4 Caribou aircraft, left, sits beside a C-27J Spartan aircraft from 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Yesterday’s Caribou meets today’s Spartan

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1351 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, DHC-4 Caribou, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre

In a unique event, historical aircraft DHC-4 Caribou A4-236 was displayed beside a C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron during a

The Royal Australian Air Force Band under the direction of Squadron Leader Dan Phillips in concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre in August 2022. Story by Flight Sergeant Ralph Whiteoak.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force Band turns 100

27/10/202329/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1375 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band

For the past century, the Royal Australian Air Force Band has been lifting troop morale and winning the hearts and

Australian Army Corporal Andrew Undy during a direct-fire support weapons course at the School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton. Story by Captain Jon Stewart. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

ADF People

Turning experiences into capabilities

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1085 Views 0 Comments 12/40 Batallion Royal Tasmania Regiment

Growing up in a small holiday town in Tasmania, Corporal Andrew Undy never realised how the Army would create so

25 Squadron personnel capability specialist Aircraftwoman San Yoo in front of 25 Squadron Headquarters, at RAAF Base Pearce, WA. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius. Photo by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

ADF People

Tribute to heritage and service

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 956 Views 0 Comments No. 25 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

Aircraftwoman San (Sanghee) Yoo, a Korean descendant and now proud member of the RAAF, immigrated from Korea in 2006 and

Australian Army soldiers instruct Republic of Fiji Military Forces members during a live shoot with the Australian EF88, as part of Exercise Coral Warrior at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Private Alfred Stauder.

Australian Army News

Firing all the right questions

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1240 Views 0 Comments 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, 8/9 RAR, EF88 Austyer rifle, Exercise Coral Warrior, Gallipoli Barracks, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

Fijian soldiers have begun training with Charlie Company 8/9 Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane for

Dental officer Flight Lieutenant Alexis Dieu, left, and dental assistant Leading Aircraftwoman Ocean Mitchell, both from 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, treat a patient at Wadeye, NT, during a remote NT Health dental visit. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Yuen Dieu.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Returning bright smiles to remote communities

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 810 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron

At times, they were the only dental service for 100 kilometres – Air Force personnel from the Northern Territory (NT)

Signallers from 108 Signal Squadron test their interoperability with 144 Signal Squadron during Exercise Hermes Run in Mount Gambier, SA. Story by Captain Peter March. Photos by Sergeant Peng Zhang.

Australian Army News

Army gets ready for extreme weather

25/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1455 Views 0 Comments 144th Signal Squadron, 8th Signal Regiment, 9th Brigade, Army Reserve, Exercise Hermes Run

Reserve signal squadrons from Australia’s southern cities tested their preparedness for the high-risk weather season during Exercise Hermes Run from

An Army member navigates Army's sailing training yacht 'Gun Runner' during Exercise Soldier Sail in Port Stephens, NSW. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army News

Army Gun Runners on 24-hour epic voyage

25/10/202327/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1393 Views 0 Comments Exercise Soldier Sail

Novice sailors embarked on an epic 24-hour journey along the east coast of Australia, aboard the Army sailing training yacht