Australian – Page 8 – CONTACT magazine

Commandant of the Army Logistics Training Centre Colonel Charmaine Benfield presents Craftsman Jack Patman with his certificate. Story by Captain Krysten Clifton. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

Marine technicians chart a new course for Army

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 526 Views 0 Comments Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), HMAS Cerberus

Growing up on the coast of Western Australia, Craftsman Jack Patman spent countless hours at his father’s side, helping pull

Maritime warfare officer Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce on the bridge wing of HMAS Stuart during Exercise Kakadu. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photos by Leading Seaman Danyellah Hill.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Warfare officer charts course to Kakadu review

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 555 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Stuart

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce joined Navy to help people and explore the world. CAPTION: Maritime warfare officer Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce

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 485 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

The Littoral Manoeuvre Group marches, integrated within the 17th Sustainment Brigade at the establishment parade, Gallipoli Barracks. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Corporal Julia Whitwell.

Australian Army News

Army launches new littoral group

09/04/202610/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 475 Views 0 Comments 17th Sustainment Brigade, Chief of Army, Gallipoli Barracks, Littoral Manoeuvre Group

Fifty years after the last Australian Army ships were retired from service, a new group has been established to operate

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 441 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

Command Warrant Officer Kathryn Holmes on the bridge wing of HMAS Warramunga's during regional presence deployment. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Keigan Gunther. Photo by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Trailblazer ends career at sea

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 422 Views 0 Comments HMAS Warramunga

HMAS Warramunga’s Command Warrant Officer Kathryn Holmes is preparing to retire this year after 37 years of service. CAPTION: Command Warrant Officer

Australian Army soldiers and aviators conduct helicopter insertion and extraction training using UH-60M Black Hawks at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney in 2025. Story by Captain Chloe Ellwood.

Australian Army News

Black Hawks train over Townsville

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 511 Views 0 Comments 16th Aviation Brigade, 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 3 Brigade, AH-64 Apache, CH-47F Chinook, Holsworthy Barracks, UH-60M Black Hawk

UH-60M Black Hawks arrived in Townsville last month from Sydney and Oakey for training activities with Chinooks and Apaches. CAPTION:

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 606 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

From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Chris Deeble during a Defence Science and Technology Capability showcase in Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Australia supports Canada’s Arctic radar plans

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 625 Views 0 Comments BAE Systems, canada, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Chief of Air Force, DST, JORN

Australia’s world-leading Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is set to play a central role in Canada’s ambitions to build the

Royal Australian Navy Maritime Trade Operations officers with counterparts from the United States Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy at Fleet Base East, Sydney, during Exercise Kakadu. Story by Lieutenant Mark Tesoriero. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

News Royal Australian Navy

Keeping Sydney Harbour moving

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 508 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, Fleet Base East, Maritime Trade Operations (MTO)

At the best of times, Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s busiest waterways, so when the Royal Australian Navy

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 460 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

Sapper Brodie Tarleton from 3 Troop School of Military Engineering at the Direct Fire Support Weapons range as part of initial employment training at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney. Story by Captain Aaron Pegram. Photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army News

Engineers learn skills at warfighters’ workshop

09/04/202609/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 384 Views 0 Comments Holsworthy Barracks, Royal Australian Engineers

The forges have been running hot at Army’s School of Military Engineering at Holsworthy Barracks, where trade transfers and trainees

Seven heritage Air Force aircraft fly in formation. Story bu Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Time flies when you’re having fun

09/04/202610/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 468 Views 1 Comment Military Working Dogs, No. 100 Squadron, No. 26 Squadron

RAAF drew strong crowds at the recent Warbirds Over Scone air show, bringing heritage aircraft, specialist teams and talented musicians

Australian ADF reservist Vincent Tran under arrest for fighting in Ukraine contrary to Defence regulations. Screengrab from official AFP video.

ADF Europe News

Army reservist charged with breaching Defence legislation after allegedly fighting in Ukraine

08/04/202608/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1106 Views 5 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine

An Australian Army reservist was scheduled to face Adelaide Magistrates Court on 7 April 2026, charged with breaching Defence legislation

Ben Roberts-Smith arrest at Sydney Airport. Supplied by AFP.

ADF People Australian Army News Veterans

Ben Roberts-Smith VC arrested

07/04/202607/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3382 Views 8 Comments Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG

The Australian Federal Police this morning arrested “a 47-year-old man” at Sydney Airport in relation to five counts of war

Members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) prepare to fly into Oruzgan's Baluchi Valley and Chora regions in support of an MTF1 mission, in 2010. Photo by Lieutenant Aaron Oldaker.

Australian Army Middle East News

Has Australia sent SAS to Middle East?

03/04/202603/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1230 Views 0 Comments

Media reports suggest that Australia has already sent SAS members to the Middle East – speculation Defence Minister Richard Marles

The ship's company of HMAS Canberra lines the upper decks, followed by JS Kumano, FNS Auguste Benebig, HMAS Brisbane and Guardian-class Patrol Boat HMPNGS Francis Agwi as they sail past Bradley's Head for the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

News Royal Australian Navy

Kakadu makes history in the harbour

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 755 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu

Vessels from 19 nations sailed into Sydney Harbour on March 21 for the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review (KFR), commemorating 125

Able Seaman Chloe Lampasona fires the M2HB-QCB at an aerial target on the upper decks of HMAS Toowoomba in the Philippine Sea during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Royal Australian Navy

A weapon that’s old but gold

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 798 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

For all the focus on next‑generation weapons like hypersonic missiles, lasers and drones, the reality is that security often comes

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 686 Views 0 Comments

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

Lieutenant Matthew Jennings conducts anti-submarine warfare exercises with Leading Seaman Lachlan Wyatt aboard HMAS Toowoomba as part of Exercise Nichi Gou Trident. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Submarine hunters unite

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 2098 Views 0 Comments Exercise Nichi Gou Trident (NGT), HMAS Toowoomba, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Submarine

If you think ‘finding a needle in a haystack’ is the best idiom to describe the impossible, then you’ve never