Australian Army – CONTACT magazine

Soldiers from 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, operate an M777A2 howitzer during a live-fire mission on Exercise Diamond Dagger at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Jason Slape.

Danger close and on target

10/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 101 Views 0 Comments 1st Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, 7th Brigade, Exercise Diamond Dagger, M777-A2, Shoalwater Bay Training Area

When an alert signalled an incoming fire mission on the detachment commanders’ display (DCD) of his M777A2 howitzer, Bombardier Bayley

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

Drone launch marks innovation milestone

10/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 97 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

The new Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle (left) with the Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General Rose King at Australian Army Headquarters, Canberra, sign a renewed Plan ANZAC. Photo. by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

Australian Army New Zealand News

Army chiefs renew Plan ANZAC

10/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 102 Views 0 Comments

The New Zealand Army has reinforced its long-standing commitment with Australia with the signing of the renewed Plan ANZAC in

Corporal Jayden Eva, Corporal Stephen Peters and Craftsman Aiden Nydrle conduct vehicle recovery training during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Private William McCormick.

Australian Army News

Recovery mechanics keep vehicles moving

09/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 149 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Townsville Field Training Area

While combat units manoeuvred across the Townsville Field Training Area during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Army recovery mechanics worked behind the

Corporals Jacob Sofia and Harrison Hinson, of 2nd Cavalry Regiment, with the Quantum Vector drone during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Sergeant Matt Bickerton. Photo by Ian Hitchcock.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

New drone uses AI on Southern Jackaroo

09/07/202609/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 146 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, drone, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, fixed‑wing reconnaissance drones, Townsville Field Training Area, Vector AI

One of Army’s newest fixed‑wing reconnaissance drones took flight on Exercise Southern Jackaroo, identifying targets in depth and enabling drone

An Australian Army soldier conducts a patrol back to his position during Exercise Black Cutlass at Cape Cleveland, Queensland. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

Australian Army News

Unknown areas test soldiers

09/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 150 Views 0 Comments 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Cutlass, Townsville Field Training Area

Personnel from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), tested themselves across scenarios and locations in Queensland as part of Exercise

Craftsman Jeremy Tjong prepares the Callisto 50 heavy-lift uncrewed aerial system at Cultana Training Area during Exercise Black Prince 3. Story by Major Peter Nugent.

Australian Army News

1 Armd Regt fields experimentation kit

09/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 131 Views 0 Comments 1st (Australian) Division, 1st Armoured Regiment, Cultana Training Area, Exercise Black Prince, robotic and autonomous systems (RAS)

Exercise Black Prince 3 ended in a spectacular demonstration of explosive power with the detonation of two sacrificial uncrewed ground vehicles

Australian soldiers fire off a practise mortar round as part of a mortar concentration activity at Puckapunyal Military Area. Story by Tim Klingner. Photos by Private Sera Mar.

Australian Army News Videos

Reservists refine live-fire mortar skills

02/07/202602/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 527 Views 0 Comments 2nd (Australia) Division, Army Reserve, Puckapunyal

Army reservists from across the country converged on Puckapunyal in early June to demonstrate and develop their skills during the

Explosive ordnance technicians from the Australian Army, PNG Defence Force and Canadian Armed Forces prepare to remotely move explosive ordnance during Operation Render Safe in East New Britain, PNG. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Sergeant Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Pacific

Operation renders East New Britain safer

02/07/202602/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 533 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe, PNGDF, WWII

More than 2200 munitions were disposed of across East New Britain during Operation Render Safe 2026. CAPTION: Explosive ordnance technicians

Defence scientists test emerging sensor technologies to build a clearer picture of the coastal environment during a recent trial. Story by Robert Nutbrown.

ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Beach survey teams assess new tech

26/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 705 Views 0 Comments DSTG, Littoral Manoeuvre Group

Defence scientists are working closely with the Australian Defence Force to strengthen Army’s ability to operate in coastal areas. CAPTION:

The next generation of aviation warfighters graduates at HMAS Albatross. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Dishant Shah.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

New cohort of pilots graduate

26/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 731 Views 0 Comments HMAS Albatross, No. 723 Squadron

The Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army welcomed a new cohort of aviation professionals last month following the Joint Helicopter

A joint excavation by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification, operating in partnership with the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army. Story by Squadron Leader Bel Culley. Photo by Corporal Luke Kern Choi.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News

Search for digger’s remains yields remnants of war

25/06/202625/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 778 Views 0 Comments 3rd Battalion RAR, Korean War, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A)

Despite a month-long excavation, a joint recovery operation has been unable to locate the remains of Australian Army Corporal William

An explosive ordnance disposal team discovers unexploded ordnance during the remediation of Townshend Island. Story by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Australian Army News

Deep search clears hidden threats

24/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 498 Views 0 Comments EOD, No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron

Sixteen metres below the surface of Townshend Island, off Shoalwater Bay, the digging stopped – not because the crew had

Australian Army soldiers conduct inert ordnance during Exercise Possum Walk at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland. Story by Major Jesse Robilliard. Photos by Corporal Kurt Lewis.

Australian Army News

Crews prepare Australian Apaches for first live-fire

19/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 684 Views 0 Comments 1st Aviation Regiment, AH-64E Apache, Exercise Possum Walk, RAAF Townsville

Aviation ground crew have loaded fuel and inert ordnance onto AH-64E Apache helicopters to prepare for the new attack platform’s

Private Malakai Williams, of 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, fires a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle during Exercise Predators Walk in the Northern Territory. Story by Major Sarah Kelly. Photos by Corporal Michael Currie.

Australian Army News

Diggers train alongside US marines

19/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 506 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, Exercise Predator’s Walk, United States Marine Corps

Personnel from Army’s 1st Brigade and the United States Marine Corps rehearsed combined arms operations across the Northern Territory during

Army general surgeon Major Joseph Dawson, left, and orthopaedic surgeon Major Jarrad Stevens perform minor surgery on a member of Operation Render Safe in Papua New Guinea. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News

Medical facility proves its worth

19/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 460 Views 0 Comments 3rd Health Battalion, Operation Render Safe

Just two days after unpacking their equipment in Papua New Guinea, the Role 2 (R2) health capability supporting Operation Render

A USAF MC-130J prepares for takeoff after delivering a HIMARS unit to Delamere Air Weapons Range, Northern Territory, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Introducing Australia’s ‘tactical dream team’

17/06/202617/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 699 Views 0 Comments

C‑130J ‘Super Hercules’ is the workhorse of the sky and, matched with the ADF’s growing fleet of HIMARS launchers, forms

Facility dog Quinley comforts soldiers from 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. Captain Elisha Crowther. Photo by Gunner Jesse Linards.

Australian Army News

Paw patrol brings calm to units

12/06/202612/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 546 Views 0 Comments 1st Regiment RAR, Chaplains, Gallipoli Barracks, Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU), Service Dogs

In a unit known for guns, grit and high-tempo training, one of the most recognisable faces around the 1st Regiment,

Army’s new handbook is designed to prepare soldiers for the realities of warfare. Picture – Owen Stanley Trail, Alola (1942), by Frank Hodgkinson. Source: The Australian War Memorial.

Australian Army News

The essential guide for soldiers

12/06/202612/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 671 Views 0 Comments The Soldier

Fear, fatigue, trauma and killing sit at the heart of The Soldier – Army’s new publication. CAPTION: Army’s new handbook is designed

Commander 1st (Australian) Division Major General Ash Collingburn speaks with a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officer during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at the Townsville Field Training Area. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos Linda Bone.

Australian Army News Videos

Partner nations rehearse for war

12/06/202612/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 582 Views 0 Comments 1st (Australian) Division, 3rd Brigade, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

More than 3000 personnel are participating in the Australian Army’s largest domestic multinational exercise this year. CAPTION: Commander 1st (Australian)

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