Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australian Army vehicle technicians Craftsmen Thomas Noble and Layla Williamson from 5th Aviation Regiment check the engine of a Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro Supercar at the 2023 NTI Townsville 500, Queensland. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Nick O'Connor.

Vehicle technicians shine at Townsville Supercars

26/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 960 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment

Two soldiers from 5th Aviation Regiment joined the fast-paced pit crew environment at the NTI Townsville 500 Supercars race, held

Army reservists from the 5th Brigade conduct an entry drill using airsoft rifles at Holsworthy Training Area at the end of Exercise Arras Sprint in May. Story by Major Jesse Robilliard. Photo by Private Sarah Fisher.

Australian Army

Reservist training shortened to speed up capability

26/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1014 Views 1 Comment Army Reserve, Defence Force Recruiting

Soon it will be much faster for general entry soldiers to join the Army Reserve thanks to upcoming changes to

Aircraft Research and Development Unit flight test engineer Flight Lieutenant Stephanie Hume with a PC-21 on the flight line at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

ADF People

Love of engineering fuels success

26/07/202304/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1456 Views 0 Comments ADFA, Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Edinburgh

As a flight test engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant Steph Hume describes her job as bridging

German Chief of Army Lieutenant General Alfons Mais (centre) visits German and Australian troops at Camp Star in the Townsville Field Training Area during Exercise Talisman Sabre. Story and photo by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

Australian Army Sovereign industry

German Army chief’s close-up with a Boxer

26/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1453 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), Boxer CRV, Exercise Talisman Sabre

Chief of the German Army Lieutenant General Alfons Mais has observed the capabilities of the Australian-made Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle

An Australian Army special forces soldier from 2nd Commando Regiment and a United States Army soldier from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepare for a static-line parachuting training jump side-by-side at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army News

Special forces gear up for the unknown

26/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2822 Views 0 Comments 2nd Commando Regiment, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Holsworthy Barracks, RAAF Richmond, US Army

Special operations force elements from Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States came together at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney

Lieutenant Ryan Tyrrell, right, and his stepfather Marty Wollins in front of USS Canberra during its commissioning at Fleet Base East, Sydney. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Petty Officer Helen Frank.

ADF People History

Tied by family and history

25/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 789 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, US Navy

Lieutenant Ryan Tyrrell and his stepfather Marty Wollins not only share a familial bond but also a service connection. CAPTION: Lieutenant

Flight Lieutenant Albert Van De Vyver with his wife and daughters at RAAF Base East Sale at a 32 Squadron Family Day. Story by Flying Officer Ellis Mitchell. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

ADF People

Warm welcome from a world away

25/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 903 Views 0 Comments

Growing up in South Africa Flight Lieutenant Albert ‘Snoopy’ Van De Vyver never expected he would one day be spending

RAAF flight test engineer Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Taouk from the Aircraft Research & Development Unit conducts flight test training in the United Kingdom in 2020. Story by Fiona Van Der Plaat. Photo by Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Taouk.

ADF People

Supporting Defence’s intellectual edge

25/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1332 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence College

Recognising the unique perspective military scholars bring to study, the Australian Defence College is creating a community to support ADF

Royal Australian Navy officer Lieutenant Eamon O'Shea is onboard USS Canberra as the first RAN member to serve in what will be an ongoing billet as part of the United States Navy's personnel exchange program. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Petty Officer Helen Frank.

ADF People

Lieutenant says g’day to new US Navy shipmates

25/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1596 Views 0 Comments US Navy

As long as the USS Canberra is sailing, a Royal Australian Naval officer will be serving on board. Lieutenant Eamon

Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launch a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile at Beecroft Weapons Range, New South Wales during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy Talisman Sabre Videos

Talisman Sabre hosts military first with Japan

25/07/202325/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2101 Views 0 Comments Beecroft Weapons Range, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, HMAS Canberra, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF)

In an Australian-military first, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of a Type 12

Australian Army explosive ordnance disposal technician Sergeant Haron Sarmiento after rendering safe a 500lb unexploded ordnance in Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photo by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army News Pacific

Teamwork defuses threat from Nauru bomb

25/07/202325/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1992 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, EOD, Nauru Police Force (NPF), Operation Render Safe, UXO

In a display of Pacific partner coordination, Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians have worked with Nauru authorities to render

Sri Lanka Navy Divers and Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers conduct interoperability exercises at the Sri Lanka Naval Base. Photo by Lieutenant Joe Woods.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy Videos

An underwater cultural exchange Part II – The video.

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1938 Views 0 Comments Clearance Diving Team 4, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Sri Lankan Defence Force

This video clip supports the previously posted story “An underwater cultural exchange”, originally posted here 20 July 2023. CAPTION: Sri

Squadron Leader Ted McConchie (retd) smiles in front of a CAC CA-18 Mustang at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Flying Officer Rosetta Gigliotti. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Paris Rigney.

ADF People History Veterans

WW2 air gunner celebrates 100th birthday

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1977 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Squadron Leader Edward “Ted” McConchie (retd) celebrated his 100th birthday with fellow service members from 100 Squadron at RAAF Base

Australian Army Nursing Officer Captain Victoria Flegg during Operation Render Safe, Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

ADF People

Perfect job for a caring and adventurous nature

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1393 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

Nursing officer Captain Victoria Flegg has come a long way from the quiet seaside town of Ocean Grove in Victoria

Army pilot Captain Andrew Amos stands bedside an armed reconnaissance helicopter Tiger at 1st Aviation Regiment at Robertson Barracks, Darwin. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O'Connor.

ADF People

Pilot’s career on flightpath of his dreams

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1506 Views 0 Comments 1st Aviation Regiment, Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter

Watching the might and power of military aircraft at an air show as a child sowed the seed for a

270 ADF Pilots' Course graduates (from left) Lieutenant Michael Harrigan, Lieutenant Gregory Cook and Lieutenant Harrison Coldwell pose for a photo at dawn on the flight line with a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce in WA. Story by Stephanie Hallen. Photos by Chris Kershaw.

ADF People

Student pilots cleared for takeoff

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1379 Views 0 Comments No. 2 FTS, PC-21, RAAF Pearce

Dark skies failed to dampen the spirits of those attending the 270 ADF Pilots’ Course Graduation, where 11 students from

Australian Army officer Captain Jake Rudge is the Staff Officer Recruiting Attraction – Army within Defence Force Recruiting. Story by Major Tim Sydenham.

ADF People

Link to recruiting success

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1018 Views 0 Comments Defence Force Recruiting

A range of roles are ensuring the ongoing success of Army’s recruiting efforts. CAPTION: Australian Army officer Captain Jake Rudge is

A United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft, from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (Black Knights), departs from RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

US Black Knights mix with RAAF’s best

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1822 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force

Known as the ‘Black Knights’, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) made RAAF Base

HMAS Canberra guides USS Canberra through Sydney Heads. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

News Royal Australian Navy USA Videos

Two ships called Canberra bond in Sydney

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2188 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), US Navy, WWII

USS Canberra personnel welcomed the company of their sister ship, HMAS Canberra, on board for a tour while the ship

Sri Lanka Navy divers and Royal Australian Navy clearance divers underwater during an exerciseas part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. All photos by Lieutenant Joe Woods.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

An underwater cultural exchange

20/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1565 Views 0 Comments Clearance Diving Team 4, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Sri Lankan Defence Force

Defence personnel stopped by Sri Lanka and participated in military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events and cultural activities as part