Australian – Page 8 – CONTACT magazine

The crew of HMAS Diamantina salute during a wreath-laying ceremony honouring those lost aboard HMAS Canberra I during World War II near Honiara, the Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Jacob Joseph.

Powerful reminder of service and sacrifice

09/07/202609/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 809 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Diamantina, Operation Render Safe, Solomon Islands, WWII

Able Seaman P.D. Mackintosh was at his aircraft defence post when he saw two torpedoes streak past the port side

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 847 Views 0 Comments

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

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 898 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 740 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

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 2073 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 1018 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

An Australian Army explosive ordnance disposal technician on Operation Render Safe 26 prepares a charge to destroy unexploded ordnance in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Photo by Sergeant Andrew Sleeman.

ADF New Zealand News Pacific

International team blows WWII-era explosives in PNG

28/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1078 Views 0 Comments

Six New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel were part of a multinational effort in Papua New Guinea to destroy about

HMAS Diamantina sails ahead of HMAS Yarra as the ships depart Cairns during Operation Render Safe. Story and photo by Captain Jacob Joseph.

History News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Minehunter crews eager to help

26/06/202626/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1064 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMAS Diamantina, HMAS Yarra, Huon-class Minehunter, Operation Render Safe, Tuvalu

A Royal Australian Navy task unit departed Cairns on June 19, bound for the Pacific nation of Tuvalu to search

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 877 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:

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 1464 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

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 899 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

Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Peta Binns.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

New initiative strengthens health care at sea

26/06/202626/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 962 Views 0 Comments Young Endeavour

A new health support initiative from the Fleet Health Directorate has enhanced medical care for more than 300 young Australians

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 659 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

HMAS Moreton hosts a 100th birthday celebration for World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Warrant Officer Shane Cameron.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

A century of service and spirit

25/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 873 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Moreton welcomed one of its earliest members home on June 16, as World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle marked her

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 843 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

HMAS Toowoomba sails past an offshore oil platform in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Dominic Turkalj.

News Royal Australian Navy

Keeping an eye on reserves at sea

25/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 918 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

After HMAS Toowoomba’s recent regional presence deployment, navigator Lieutenant Harrison Rees said the North West Shelf Project was a welcome sight for

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 919 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 669 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

Minister for Defence Richard Marles and A/g Assistant Director General Strategic Engagement and Policy Branch Australian Submarine Agency, Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy discuss an education display at the Australian Submarine Agency’s Submarine Discovery Centre in Rockingham, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Royal Australian Navy

Submarine Discovery Centre opens in Rockingham

20/06/202620/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3454 Views 1 Comment AUKUS

The Albanese Government has officially opened the WA Submarine Discovery Centre in Rockingham – a new information hub where the

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 743 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