CONTACT BLOG SPOT – Page 5 – CONTACT magazine

A portrait of Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith at the Australian War Memorial, by Michael Zavros superimposed with a photo of Harry 'Breaker' Morant.

Alleged Afghanistan war crimes and the execution of ‘Breaker’ Morant – A Perspective

21/04/202621/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 778 Views 3 Comments

The allegations of war crimes against Ben Roberts-Smith echoes a similar occurrence during the Anglo Boer war and the trials

Letters to the Editor

1st Armoured Regiment: The unit whose heritage was stolen

21/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 393 Views 0 Comments

Is it really possible for a unit’s heritage to be stolen? How could it happen? Stolen in what sense? Stolen in the very real context that something that existed for 75 years, has suddenly

Letters to the Editor

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander

18/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 402 Views 0 Comments

How do you stand your ground in a fiercely hierarchal organisation like the Army, if you’re not the Deputy Chief?

Leading Seaman Abbey Lane, centre left, with Ron and Mason during Operation Flood Assist in 2022. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Navy

From flood relief to friendship

15/04/202615/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 420 Views 0 Comments Operation Flood Assist 2022

For Leading Seaman Abbey Lane, a few hours in a flooded caravan park turned into a connection that still rings

Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus Captain Ben Esler presents Navy veteran Ron Stannus with a copy of a drawing of HMAS Warramunga, at the Heritage and Learning Centre, HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. Sub-Lieutenant Andrew Murphy. Photos by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

Passing the Navy baton with wise words

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 516 Views 0 Comments HMAS Cerberus, WWII

As he approaches his 100th birthday, Navy veteran Frederick Ronald Stannus returned to HMAS Cerberus, the place his Navy story began

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Armoured Regiment conduct manoeuvre training on M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks in Puslatpur, Indonesia, during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Chief of Army

14/04/202622/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 355 Views 1 Comment

If the Chief of Army agreed to accept a letter to him (which he hasn’t previously), what would it say?

Letters to the Editor

If trust is the most important thing in the Army, what comes next?

12/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 487 Views 0 Comments

Success in battle? This would have to take the prize; but fortunately, appearances on the battlefield are few and far

Members of the community get up close to a CH-47D Chinook helicopter on display at the Australian Army Flying Museum, Oakey, Queensland. Story and photos by Major Carolyn Barnett.

Australian Army History News

Inside the Australian Army Flying Museum

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 509 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Flying Museum

At the Australian Army Flying Museum, the Chinook helicopter captivates visitors with its sheer scale and commanding presence. CAPTION: Members of

Army veteran William Knowles and his wife Dianne with welfare officer Barry Low and soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Photos by Sapper Oliver McKenzie.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History

‘Homecoming’ for former sapper

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 465 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Lavarack Barracks

A long-held wish was granted to former sapper William ‘Bill’ Knowles, who returned to Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks last month for

Flight Lieutenant Lee Maieron chats with RAAF World War II veteran, Len Mills, at his 104th birthday celebration. Story by Flight Lieutenant Owen Zupp and Monte Wilson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

104 years, 34 missions, one remarkable life

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 419 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, WWII

Second World War aviator, Flying Officer Leonard ‘Len’ Mills, celebrated his 104th birthday in December last year, with 37 Squadron

Aviators from 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron and 94 Wing conduct a surgical scenario as part of the JP2060-3 equipment validation inside a Role 2 Field Hospital mission system during Exercise Stoic Gauntlet 2026. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kat Thomasson. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Healthcare ready whenever, wherever

09/04/202612/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 575 Views 0 Comments 94 Wing, Exercise Stoic Gauntlet, No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron

RAAF personnel demonstrated their ability to rapidly deploy and operate a new cutting‑edge deployable Role 2 medical treatment facility during

83 Squadron personnel form the number 83 in front of a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

83 years of intelligence, reconnaissance and security

09/04/202612/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 441 Views 0 Comments intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), No. 83 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh

As 83 Squadron marks its 83rd anniversary, the unit continues the same mission it began during the Second World War

Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia concept image depicting Landing Craft Medium and Heavy vessels conducting a beach landing.

Letters to the Editor

Can the Australian public trust in our national defence?

06/04/202606/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 480 Views 0 Comments

What is it that will convince Australian citizens that the government has produced a well-thought-out plan to defend our Nation?

Soldiers officers and vehicles of the 1st Armoured Regiment on parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

Letters to the Editor

Unit identity in the RAAC

04/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 402 Views 0 Comments

What happens when a tank regiment that has served the Nation in the same role for 75 years is suddenly

From left, Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh and the HMAS Sydney Association treasurer stand in front of the Bradleys Head Naval Memorial in Sydney, NSW. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial’s enduring significance recognised

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 657 Views 0 Comments

In a ceremony at Bradleys Head in Sydney, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh and Commander Australian Fleet

Letters to the Editor

The Right of Appeal: Real or illusionary for the ADF?

30/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 490 Views 2 Comments

This is a story about a misuse of power. Her Excellency, the Governor General, is the Commander-in-Chief of the

Letters to the Editor

Will the RAAC have a role in the 2026 National Defence Strategy?

28/03/202628/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 503 Views 0 Comments

“The next National Defence Strategy (NDS) should deliver something Australia has long lacked: a strategic narrative that tells the public

A 100 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire MK VIII aircraft (058-602) takes off at Warbirds Over Scone 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Flying the past to see the future

27/03/202628/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 504 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron

An air force that fixes its gaze only on the future does not see more clearly, but closes one eye

Leading Seaman Amy Matthews takes observations of her casualty during a damage-control exercise on board HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Survival training gives sailors an edge

27/03/202627/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 385 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

At sea, damage-control teams train daily to combat fires, floods, medical emergencies or toxic hazards. CAPTION: Leading Seaman Amy Matthews

From left, Director General Garrison Health and Director General Navy Health Commodore Kate Tindall and Surgeon General of the ADF Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett at the opening of the HMAS Creswell Clinic. Story by Michelle Hoare. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

World-class clinics enhance ADF care

25/03/202625/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 333 Views 0 Comments HMAS Creswell

The health and wellbeing of ADF personnel has received a significant boost with the completion of a new medical clinic