Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 693 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

The Roulettes break away during their display at the Mildura Airshow. Story and phots by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air show has eyes glued to the sky

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 707 Views 0 Comments Mildura, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, Roulettes

Eyes were glued to the sky as aviators from the Royal Australian Air Force flew multiple generations of aircraft into

Cargo is unloaded from a RAAF C-130J Hercules at Adisutjipto Air Force Base in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as part of Exercise Rajawali AusIndo. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Hercs help strengthen relationships on exercise

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 747 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, Exercise Rajawali Ausindo, Indonesia, Indonesian Air Force, No. 37 Squadron

Australia and Indonesia are adding a new chapter to their long history of cooperation through Exercise Rajawali AusIndo 24 at

Army officer Captain Rachael Kloprogge greets Legacy widow and former signaller Shirley Ross during a Legacy Brisbane Backyard Assist at Mrs Ross’ home in Chapel Hill, Brisbane. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Volunteers join backyard blitz for Legacy widow

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 888 Views 0 Comments 6th Brigade, Legacy

Legacy widow Shirley Ross was overwhelmed by the support she received during a Legacy Brisbane Backyard Assist at her Chapel

Leading Aircraftman Blake O'Brien stands in front of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber on the RAAF Base Amberley flight line. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by US Air Force

News Royal Australian Air Force

Memorable moment in aviation career

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 495 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Townsville, US Air Force

A promotion is always a significant and unforgettable milestone in any aviator’s career. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftman Blake O’Brien stands in front

Australian Army soldiers trial an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance robot to observe and protect Australian borders in the Pilbara region. Story by Emma Kennedy.

Australian Army News Science & Technology Sovereign industry Videos

Robot tested on border-patrol surveillance

17/09/202425/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1323 Views 0 Comments

Tasked to monitor about one-sixth of Australia’s landmass, Regional Force Surveillance Group’s (RFSG) Pilbara Regiment is now using a small

Army personnel attend church with local children during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Australian Army News

Chaplain puts faith in spreading the safety message

17/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 633 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

Locals in Munda and Noro in the western province of Solomon Islands have welcomed a joint force of more than

Navy officer Captain Dave Tietzel, the Exercise Director for Exercise Kakadu 2024, addresses the media during a media doorstop at HMAS Coonawarra, NT. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Navy

Exercise Kakadu sets sail with global participation

13/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1179 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Coonawarra

The Royal Australian Navy’s flagship maritime exercise has commenced in Darwin drawing nearly 3000 personnel from 30 nations. CAPTION: Navy officer

Group Captain Gary Sadler, Warrant Officer Jason Pyke, Group Captain Kylie Green, Warrant Officer Korey McGregor and Wing Commander Fiona Pearce following the 17 Squadron handover/takeover ceremony. Story by Scott Jenner.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Combat Support Group undertakes major reorg

13/09/202424/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1162 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), Defence Strategic Review, National Defence Strategy (NDS), No. 95 Wing, No. 96 Wing

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Combat Support Group is undertaking a major reorganisation of 95 and 96 Wings to enable

The Edge 130-B unmanned aerial system. Story by Captain Tim Klingner. Photos by Captain Byron Senysyn.

Australian Army News

Drone pilots in Tassie flying high

13/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1131 Views 0 Comments 9th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Edge 130-B Drone

Troops in Tasmania are taking their unmanned aerial system skills to new heights, as the exciting Edge 130-B drone lands

Corporal Jess Aitken of 1 Combat Communications Squadron sets up vital ICT infrastructure during Exercise Red Flag Alaska, ensuring secure communications for Air Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photo by Corporal Hayden Young.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Giving the ICT green light during Red Flag

13/09/202423/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 989 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, no. 1 Combat Communication Squadron

Corporal Jess Aitken, of 1 Combat Communications Squadron, swapped sunny skies for icy terrain when she travelled from her hometown

(L-R) Lieutenant Colonol Justin Meyer, Master Sergeant Emily Luzum, Debbie Wadwell and Group Captain Paul Jarvis with a shadow box for the Russell family, at RAAF Base Amberley, Qld. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History

B-2 Spirit delivers important overseas mail

13/09/202415/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 645 Views 0 Comments No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, RSL, US Air Force, Vietnam War, WWII

When sending important packages overseas, most people look for a fast and secure carrier – and no other provider can

This year’s focus for R U OK? Day is to ask the question on any day, because meaningful conversations can make a difference.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Have a chat that could save a life

12/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 873 Views 0 Comments R U OK

Whether it’s on exercise, operations or in the office, there’s never a wrong time to ask R U OK? It

A British soldier from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and soldiers from the 1st Aviation Regiment, Australian Army Aviation Command, observed as a AH-64E attack helicopter taxis down the pan during their learning experience at Wattisham Flying Station. Story by Major Lily Charles. Photos by Photos: Corporal Aaron J Stone.

Australian Army News UK

British give Aussies a head start on Apache

12/09/202414/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 884 Views 1 Comment 1st Aviation Regiment, AH-64E Apache, ARH Tiger, Aviation Command, British Armed Forces

Australian maintenance personnel are getting their hands on Army’s future attack helicopter, the AH-64E Apache, more than a year before

Major General David Thomae addresses the crowd during the opening of the new Gordon VC multi-user depot at Chindera, NSW. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Private Peter Mosley.

Australian Army News

Gordon VC multi-user depot opened in Kingscliff

12/09/202422/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 745 Views 0 Comments 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment, Gordon VC multi-user depot, Victoria Cross

Soldiers in northern NSW now boast a new state-of-the-art home at Chinderah. CAPTION: Major General David Thomae addresses the crowd

Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft from No. 35 Squadron, takes off from Port Moresby International Airport, Papua New Guinea, during Operation Island Chief 2024. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

On watch for illegal fishing

12/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Island Chief, Operation Solania, PNGDF

As the C-27J Spartan soared skyward from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, with fully laden fuel tanks, ahead awaited hours

Australian sappers from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment and the School of Armour learn maintenance and operation of the armoured breaching vehicle during the Combat Engineer Heavy Track Course in Missouri. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Australian Army News

New vehicles a game-changer for sappers

11/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 980 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Abrams, School of Armour

Combat engineers at 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) will soon welcome a fleet of combat engineering vehicles, based on the

Navies from Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Japan conduct a formation foxtrot during multinational task group activities. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Navies foxtrot in the Pacific Ocean

11/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 919 Views 0 Comments French Navy, German Navy, HMAS Sydney, Italian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney recently joined a multinational task group to conduct cooperative activities in the Pacific Ocean. CAPTION: Navies from Australia,

DroneShield, awarded $800,000 in funding, is gaining attention for its cutting-edge products and battlefield applications. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army News Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Battle-ready innovation

11/09/202411/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 594 Views 0 Comments Army Innovation Day, drones

Conventional wars frequently spur rapid technological innovation. The conflict in Ukraine has shown the impact small, inexpensive and easily manufactured

Air Force aviators from 2 Security Forces Squadron use electronic grenade simulators for a training activity at RAAF Base Curtin in Western Australia. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

Beep not bang for training-grenade concept

11/09/202419/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 614 Views 0 Comments 13th Brigade, 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, electronic grenade simulator (EGS), Exercise Austral Shield, F1 grenade, F3 grenade, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Curtin

Corporal Jake Bostock was a training corporal at Combat Cell 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, in late 2021 when