CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - Page 2 of 63

A C-130J Hercules from 37 Squadron flies over the assembled guests and visitors at RAAF Base Glenbrook during the 75th anniversary celebrations. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

‘Operational heart’ of RAAF celebrates 75 years

18/10/202418/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1294 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, Headquarters Eastern Area Command, No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Glenbrook

The ‘operational heart’ of the Royal Australian Air Force celebrated its 75th birthday on October 10 with special events, a

Commander 9th Brigade Brigadier Tim Orders presents World War 2 veteran, Glen Dobie, with his Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp 'PNG'. Story and photos by Captain Peter March.

ADF People Australian Army History Veterans

WWII digger receives service medal at 99

17/10/202418/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1312 Views 0 Comments WWII

Glen Dobie was 18 when he, like many other young Australians, answered the call to arms during World War II.

Warrant Officer Class One Bridget Pearce is a pioneering female physical training instructor at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Military Fitness

Strengthening links in health chain

17/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 370 Views 0 Comments PTIs

In the modern military, fitness is no longer just about sheer physical strength and endurance. It’s about creating well-rounded soldiers,

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell and Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton unveil the plaques commemorating the loss of 100 Squadron members who perished while serving on Beauforts A9-186 and A9-374 in 1943, at RAAF Base Point Cook. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell..

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Honouring devotion to duty

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1068 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, along with dignitaries and family members, attended the memorial service and plaque

Aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field for the Air Combat Group versus Air Mobility Group ‘SGT Michael Ball Memorial’ match. Story by Lieutenant Katrina Thomasson. Photos by Aircraftman Sanghyun Shin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Footy match for a fallen friend

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 862 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), Air Mobility Group (AMG), No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

It was a football game full of heart as aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field to raise

Defence's Director General of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Brigadier Caitlin Langford, says teams are strongest when each member is respected and valued. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Connection and wellbeing critical to capability

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 321 Views 0 Comments World Mental Health Day

Connection equals compassionate action and this relies on fostering meaningful relationships, according to Brigadier Caitlin Langford, Defence’s Director General of

Air Force aviators and an Australian Air Force Cadet stand as part of the catafalque party during the Battle of Britain commemorative service held at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, SA. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photos by Garry Petts.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

The few who enabled the many

04/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 720 Views 0 Comments Australian Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, commemorations, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

In a moving ceremony, those that became known as ‘the few’ were remembered during the Battle of Britain commemorative service

Squadron Leader Stephen Bihary exits a 79 Squadron Hawk 127. Story by Squadron Leader Stephen Bihary. Photos by Flying Officer Michael Thomas.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Longest-serving jet pilot leaves the cockpit

02/10/202405/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1239 Views 0 Comments Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter, No 79 Squadron, RAAF Pearce, RAAF Reserve

The longest-serving Air Force fighter pilot and fast-jet instructor Squadron Leader Stephen Bihary has retired from the cockpit after 48

HMAS Perth's Leading Seaman Joshua Paynter, left, and Able Seaman Aidan Judd visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand during a regional presence deployment. Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Connected stories a powerful reminder

02/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 649 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, Regional Presence Deployment, Thailand, WWII

HMAS Perth recently reinforced its long-standing connection with Thailand during a meaningful port visit to Sattahip as part of a

Australian Army soldiers deployed in East Timor in 2008. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Australian Army History Overseas

‘Small actions can make a big difference’

27/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 975 Views 0 Comments East Timor, INTERFET

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) David Buckley was attacked with rocks and slingshots while deployed to East Timor (now Timor-Leste),

Flight Sergeant Barry Day from Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office is presented his fifth clasp to his long service medal by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicole Thomson-Pride. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Maintaining aircraft for 40 years

27/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 552 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, Federation Star

When Flight Sergeant Barry Day enlisted in the RAAF in June 1984, Air Force still operated basic piston engine aircraft

Colonel James Murray in East Timor in 1999. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Australian Army History

Proud of East Timor connection

27/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 551 Views 0 Comments East Timor, INTERFET

Colonel James Murray was recalled to work on East Timor’s ‘D-Day’, September 20, 1999, when he learnt that Australia would

Army officer Captain Alison Mountain, of the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit, tests some samples of soil in Canberra, ACT. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

ADF People Australian Army Lest We Forget

Archaeologist gets hands dirty in new Army role

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 773 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit

If asked to picture an archaeologist, some people might think of Indiana Jones running through dark, booby-trapped tunnels fighting off

Army medics treat a simulated casualty during a trench warfare CBRN scenario as part of Exercise Rendezvous Acacia at the Wide Bay Training area, Queensland. Story b y Captain Nicholas Marquis. Photos by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Ultimate pressure test for Army medics

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 866 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Brigade, 3rd Health Battalion, 4th Health Battalion, CBRN, Exercise Rendezvous Acacia, medic

Screams for help echoed across an open river, sheer desperation in the voice apparent. CAPTION: Army medics treat a simulated casualty

Then Flying Officer Harvey Reynolds, second from left, during his INTERFET deployment with 2 Airfield Defence Squadron on a routine patrol of Atauro Island, East Timor. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Overseas

Aviators remember ‘significant moment’ in peacekeeping

20/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1040 Views 0 Comments Timor-Leste, UN Peacekeeping

In September of 1999, the world’s attention was firmly fixed on East Timor as it sought to restore its independence.

HMAS Sydney fires Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile during a SINKEX off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Dave Finney News USA

Kongsberg building third missile factory in America

18/09/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 911 Views 0 Comments Kongsberg

Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is building a state-of-the-art missile production facility in the United States to meet global demand, following

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 739 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

Photos of Lieutenant McWilliam, foreground right, and Captain McWilliam, foreground left; his diary, back left, and his midshipman’s journal, back right. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Extraordinary tale behind extraordinary documents

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 654 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

The story of coincidence, persistence and happenstance – a set of historic documents uncovered at the Australian High Commission in

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.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 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

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 885 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