Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Commanding Officer HMAS Albatross, Captain Scott Palmer and the youngest sailor aboard, Able Seaman Casey Merriman slice a birthday cake during 75th anniversary celebrations for HMAS Albatross. Story by Sub Lieutenant Jaclyn Bollock. Photos by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Navy’s largest base turns 75

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1298 Views 0 Comments Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Albatross

Nowra locals and dignitaries recently gathered to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the Navy’s only air station

Army Alpine Association members survey their route before a climb during the Army Alpine Association annual skill development carnival Rock&Ice23 at Kosciusko National Park, NSW. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People

Forming rock-solid relationships

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 986 Views 0 Comments Army Alpine Association (AAA)

Camping in a tent on the frigid slopes of Kosciuzsko National Park was a foreign venture for Private Isobel Burgoyne,

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft fly with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle aircraft during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Exercise Bushido Guardian

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2481 Views 1 Comment Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35B Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron

Australian and Japanese aviators forged strong partnerships and lifelong lessons during the two-week Exercise Bushido Guardian in Japan. CAPTION: Royal

Major Mark Moloney (retd) received a Medal for Gallantry on September 12, 2023 for his actions under hazardous conditions in Vietnam at the 'Battle of the Bunkers', on February 7, 1968. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Veteran finally recognised for ‘battle of the bunkers’

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1989 Views 0 Comments 7th Battalion RAR, Vietnam War

Under intense gun fire and with 27 shrapnel wounds from exploding rocket-propelled grenades in his back, Major Mark Moloney (retd)

A wreath tribute at the Battle of Britain commemorative service at Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Battle of Britain Remembered

20/09/202320/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1597 Views 0 Comments Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

On September 16, RAAF Edinburgh aviators and the Air Force Association (South Australia) co-hosted the annual Battle of Britain commemorative

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP, during the announcement to boost the RAAF's fleet of 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Response aircraft at RAAF Fairbairn. Photo by Jay Cronan.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Boost for maritime patrol and response fleet

20/09/202321/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1627 Views 0 Comments MC-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Fairbairn

The ADF will acquire a fourth MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system and upgrade its fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime

An Air Force Cadet enjoys a protected mobility vehicle ride during an immersion experience as part of 9th Brigade's Exercise Rhino Run 2023. Story by Captain Adrienne Goode. Photos by Sergeant Peng Zhang.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Cadets get a taste of ADF life

20/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1487 Views 0 Comments 9th Brigade, ADF Cadets, Cultana

ADF cadets across South Australia were provided with the opportunity to visit 9th Brigade at Cultana Training Area on September

Families of 37 Squadron personnel prepare to board a C-130J Hercules for a flight during the squadron's family day at RAAF Base Richmond. Story by Tastri Murdoch. Photos by Corporal John Solomon.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Squadron celebrates two milestones

20/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1449 Views 0 Comments C-130 Hercules, C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Richmond

Past and present RAAF Base Richmond personnel attended a function to celebrate the C-130 Hercules’ 65 years of operation in

ADF candidates participating in the 4 Squadron Combat Control Suitability Screening do a 3.2km run in the rain as part of the Special Forces entry test. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Taking a test of toughness

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2771 Views 0 Comments No. 4 Squadron

For one challenging week in August, a select group of ADF members came together as candidates in Combat Control Suitability

Australian Federal Police Northern Command executive leadership forum on the flight line with an EA-18G Growler from 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Sergeant Peter Borys.

News Police Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force and AFP bond over security goals

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1842 Views 0 Comments Australian Federal Police, RAAF Amberley

On September 11, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) high-level delegation consisting of Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough and a senior leadership

An Army recruit from 1st Recruit Training Battalion Kapooka takes a sight picture through an F89 Minimi at Blamey Barracks Kapooka, NSW. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

Australian Army News

Army changes basic training at Kapooka – AGAIN!

19/09/202323/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 8494 Views 14 Comments Kapooka, No. 1 Recruit Training Battalion

Recruit training at Kapooka should be completed 25 per cent faster under the new Army Initial Foundation Training continuum, currently

Australian Army explosive ordnance disposal technician Corporal Joel Macmillan, left, and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Constable Armstrong Ragoso survey the coastline using metal detection equipment during Operation Render Safe, Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army Pacific

Constable puts training to test in Nauru

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1356 Views 0 Comments EOD, Nauru, Operation Render Safe, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF)

Vital explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training that Constable Armstrong Regoso received from ADF specialists has come in handy during a

Defence Work Experience Program participants Alexandra Ibrahim and Angella Dcunha, of Saint Monica, get ready to go for a ride in an Australian light armoured vehicle during an open day for school students at Puckapunyal. Story by Captain Carlie Gibson. Photos by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian Army News

Students leave open day enthused

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1501 Views 1 Comment Defence Work Experience Program, Puckapunyal

The Puckapunyal Military Area was a sea of orange vests in early September when more than 1300 school students from

Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Callery addresses the attendees of the Women, Peace and Security networking event at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Base during Exercise Bushido Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

A multilateral conversation about gender equality

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1156 Views 2 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Japanese and Australian service personnel had an opportunity to learn about each other’s approach to gender, peace, and security (GPS)

Pilot Officer Ema Kobayakawa talks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People

Breaking down language barriers

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1062 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

An historic visit by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning IIs to Australia allowed a small group of linguists

Soldiers of Combat Team Charlie from Battle Group Ram prepare to make entry into an abandoned section of Trinity College in Lismore as part of urban clearance training during Exercise Ever Ready Ram. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News

Patrolling among locals for a realistic edge

15/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1931 Views 1 Comment 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, C-17A Globemaster III, No. 36 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Members of Battle Group Ram tested their readiness to deal with a civilian community on Exercise Ever Ready Ram in

Australian Army News

Students revel in experience of Army life

15/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1578 Views 1 Comment 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), 7th Brigade, ASLAV, Defence Work Experience Program, Gallipoli Barracks

Participants in the Defence Work Experience Program (DWEP) sampled day-to-day Army life when they were hosted by multiple 7th Brigade

Pilot Officer Russell receives the 2023 UNSW Canberra Spirit Award at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Story by Lieutenant Commander Sandra Turner.

ADF People

Following the right flight path

15/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1242 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Force Academy, Indigenous, Indigenous Pathway to Academy

Life doesn’t always follow an easy flight path, but support and guidance from those in the air and on the

HMAS Moreton’s Maritime Human Resource Officer Sub Lieutenant Matt Murphy, with members from HMAS Moreton, Fleet battle staff, Gallipoli Barracks and Navy Members from RAAF base Amberley on R U OK Day. Story by Lieutenant Rebeca Williamson. Photos by Lieutenant Rebecca Williamson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Walking the walk and talking the talk

15/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1173 Views 0 Comments Gallipoli Barracks, HMAS Moreton, R U OK, RAAF Amberley, suicide prevention

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) and R U OK?, Defence personnel from HMAS Moreton and across south-east Queensland took part

Australian Army Lance Corporal Lobenzo Humberto Meneses inspects an area of interest during Operation Render Safe, Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army News Overseas Pacific

UXO destruction in Nauru

15/09/202321/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2174 Views 1 Comment Nauru, Operation Render Safe

The second rotation of Operation Render Safe 2023 conducted a search and survey of key areas identified as containing unexploded