Royal Australian Air Force – CONTACT magazine

Students attending the Australian Defence Force Fire Fighter Basic Course fight a blaze on a simulated jet fighter at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

RAAF and Army firefighters’ basic training

10/08/202610/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 523 Views 0 Comments RAAFSFS, Royal Australian Air Force Security and Fire School

While red fireballs erupting above RAAF Base Amberley may be enough to make passing motorists take a second look, the

JabX autonomous aircraft on the tarmac at Archerfield, Queensland, before a Project Camel Train test flight. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

First flight for autonomous logistics aircraft

10/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 678 Views 0 Comments JabX

RAAF’s Jericho Disruptive Innovation (JDI) team, in partnership with Brisbane-based RF Design, has completed the first long-range mission of an

Two Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers and an F/A-18F Super Hornet queue up for fuel from an air-to-air refuelling tanker during Exercise Pitch Black 26. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Jamie Kohlmann.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Australia orders AIM-260 advanced air-to-air missiles

08/08/202608/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 771 Views 0 Comments

Australia is acquiring the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), investing almost $736 million to equip the Royal Australian Air

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet lands at RAAF Base Darwin following an Exercise Pitch Black 26 sortie. Photo by Warrant Officer Ricky Fuller.

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Sun sets on Exercise Pitch Black 2026

08/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 558 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

Exercise Pitch Black 26 concluded on 7 August after three weeks of high-intensity air-combat training in the skies over Australia’s

A NSW Rural Fire Service Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter is lined up with the ramp of a C-17A Globemaster bound for France at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by Sergeant Dan Pinhorn.

Europe News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF carries firefighters to France

04/08/202609/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1073 Views 0 Comments

At the request of the French government, the Royal Australian Air Force is supporting the Australian government’s response to recent

Exercise Pitch Black 2026 participating nations give the Northern Territory community an opportunity to engage with military personnel at a RAAF Base Darwin Open Day. Photo by Corporal Ryan Howell.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Pitch Black open day in Darwin

02/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 794 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

A crowd of 25,500 people took the opportunity to meet Australian and international military personnel and see operational aircraft from

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet conducts an aerial display over Mindil Beach, Darwin as part of exercise Pitch Black 2026. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces ignite sunset at Mindil Beach

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 660 Views 0 Comments

As the sun sat low in the sky, tens of thousands of people took their place on Mindil Beach in

A Republic of Korea Air Force A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft arrives at RAAF Base Darwin to take part in Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Corporal Maddie Butcher.

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Touchdowns continue in Darwin

17/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 511 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

Top End skies are busy this week as International Air Forces arrive in the Northern Territory for Exercise Pitch Black,

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Oscar Borton, a tactical coordinator from 11 Squadron, conducts a pre-flight check on a P-8A Poseidon prior to a mission during Exercise Rim of the Pacific at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

11 and 12 Squadrons demonstrate teamwork at RIMPAC

17/07/202619/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 647 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, No. 12 Squadron, No. 92 Wing, RAAF Edinburgh, RIMPAC

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Aviators from 92 Wing have demonstrated that teamwork is the key when bringing their main

A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH Golden Eagle aircraft in flight at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black. Story by Flying Officer Leonie Midgley. Photos by Corporal Maddy Butcher.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

First arrivals for Ex Pitch Black

16/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 626 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Tindal

The sunset touchdown of four Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50PH Golden Eagles signalled the first arrival of fighter jets for

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat demonstrates integration with other platforms during Exercise Valiant Shield. Story by Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photo by Senior Airman Austin Salazar, US Air Force.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Ghost features at US Exercise Valiant Shield

15/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 772 Views 0 Comments Exercise Valiant Shield, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

The future of Indo-Pacific defence and security was put to the test during Exercise Valiant Shield. CAPTION: The MQ-28A Ghost

Sergeant Bradlee Ledger, Lieutenant Odette Swaine and Flight Lieutenant Saurav Kataria during a demonstration of the air delivery drone known as Aladdin at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

Cargo drone launched from C-130

10/07/202612/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 577 Views 0 Comments aladdin, drone, Exercise Jericho Dawn, RAAF Edinburgh

The successful launch of an air delivery drone, known as Aladdin, from a C-130J Hercules has demonstrated how emerging technologies

Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Richard Brougham and Wing Commander David Chaplin farewell the CT4A at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Jonathon McCaffrey.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Aircraft with rich history retires from service

09/07/202612/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 588 Views 1 Comment No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook

Nearly five decades after introducing generations of military aviators to flight, the Royal Australian Air Force’s CT4A trainer aircraft has

An AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launches from the wing of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon. RNZAF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Air Force USA

RNZAF P-8A Poseidon successfully launches Harpoon missiles

03/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 714 Views 0 Comments

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon has launched Harpoon missiles for the first time, during an international

Air Force personnel celebrate at the Ower’s Corner Kokoda Track monument, Papua New Guinea. Story by Taster Murdoch.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Leading through resilience

02/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1289 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group (AMG), Kokoda Track

Air Mobility Group (AMG) personnel are accustomed to operating in demanding environments, preparing for uncertainty and responding when called upon.

An Air Force 10 Squadron MC-55A Peregrine on the apron at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Ryan Howell.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Peregrine starts Top End missions

02/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 841 Views 0 Comments MC-55A Peregrine, No. 10 Squadron, RAAF Darwin

An MC-55A Peregrine from the Royal Australian Air Force’s 10 Squadron deployed to RAAF Base Darwin this month for its

RAAF Leading Aircraftwoman Meilena Frolova patrols a US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Wing Commander Pete Croce. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air warfare experts enjoy the Spirit of training

26/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1332 Views 1 Comment Exercise Diamond Storm, RAAF Amberley, US Air Force

Australia’s next generation of air warfare experts had the opportunity to practise mastery in the integration of advanced air effects

Aircraftman Hardik Sheoran receives instructions from Warrant Officer Michael Bailey, while conducting surveillance in a P-8A Poseidon during Operation Gateway. Story by Flight Lieutenant Natasha Silver. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Where maritime aviators are made

25/06/202625/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 554 Views 0 Comments Malaysia, No. 292 Squadron, Operation Gateway, P-8A Poseidon

The first time a maritime surveillance student switches on the sensors over the Malacca Strait, the reaction is usually the

Royal Australian Air Force personnel and United States partners stand in front of an F-35A Lightning II following a joint Weapon Fill Measurement Vehicle flight test. Photo by Corporal Brooke Stewart.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces advance F-35A weapons testing

25/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 739 Views 0 Comments F-35B Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force has taken part in the first joint Weapon Fill Measurement Vehicle (WFMV) flight test on

Air Vice-Marshal John Haly gives an address during the Bomber Command ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Story by Flying Officer Alexandra DeValentin. Photos by Sergeant David Said.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Ceremony honours Bomber Command service

19/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 677 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

The 10,000 Royal Australian Air Force aircrew, ground staff and members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force who served in

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