Pacific – CONTACT magazine

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.

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

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 807 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 820 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

HMAS Sydney V sails past the mast of HMAS Sydney I as the ship departs for a Regional Presence Deployment, Sydney Harbour, NSW. Photo by Petty Officer David Cox.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney departs on Regional Presence Deployment

13/06/202613/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 753 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney

Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney sailed from Fleet Base East in Sydney Harbour on Tuesday 9 June, commencing the third

Lieutenant Guy Campbell, 1RAR, pushes through a gruelling stretcher carry at the French Foreign Legion's Jaguar Course in French Guiana. Photo supplied.

Australian Army News Pacific

1RAR officer completes French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course

27/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2607 Views 2 Comments French Foreign Legion, Jaguar Course

An infantry officer from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), has become just the second Australian soldier to complete and

The New Zealand Defence Force has taken part in the Philippines Exercise Balikatan for the first time, learning important lessons about jungle warfare. Photo supplied by NZDF.

New Zealand News Pacific

NZ Army’s first Ex Balikatan

11/05/202611/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 357 Views 0 Comments Balikatan

The New Zealand Army has completed its first Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines, improving its ability to fight a modern

Australian Army soldier Corporal Justin MacLennan watches Steve Nasui, of the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation, deploy a drone as part of Exercise Coastwatchers in the Solomon Islands. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News Pacific

Coastwatchers legacy levels up

22/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 525 Views 0 Comments drones, Exercise Coastwatchers, Solomon Islands

Exercise Coastwatchers has ramped up training between the Australian Army and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), with the addition

Solomon Islands airport staff unload Australian aid from a 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan at Munda International Airport following Tropical Cyclone Maila. Story by Flight Sergeant Mark Eaton. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

ADF supports Solomon Islands after Cyclone Maila

22/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 448 Views 0 Comments 35 Squadron, C-17A Globemaster III, C-27J Spartan, cyclone, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, No. 36 Squadron, Solomon Islands

The Australian Defence Force has rapidly mobilised to support Solomon Islands communities following the devastating impact of severe Tropical Cyclone

Exercise Kanga Return 2025 participants begin the hike through the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Ambarose. Photos by Corporal Johnny Huang.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Walking in the muddy footsteps of Kokoda’s fallen

13/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 713 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kanga Return, Kokoda Trail, PNG, WWII

Twenty junior Australian Defence Force leaders took part in Exercise Kanga Return late last year, following in the footsteps of

International partners train with Samoan Emergency Services and Police during Exercise Pacific Partnership in Samoa. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Pacific

The best prepare for the worst

28/11/202528/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1503 Views 0 Comments Headquarters 1st (Australian) Division, Samoa

Regional cooperation and disaster-response capability received a boost during the latest iteration of Exercise Pacific Partnership, held in Samoa. CAPTION:

From left, the Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Hyuga, the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Ballarat and the United States Navy’s USS Fitzgerald sail in company off the coast of Guam during Exercise Malabar. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Exercise Malabar strengthens maritime partnerships

26/11/202526/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1275 Views 0 Comments Exercise Malabar, Guam, HMAS Ballarat, P-8A Poseidon

Australia joined India, Japan and the United States for Exercise Malabar, a key Indo-Pacific maritime activity designed to deepen interoperability

The “different silhouette” of a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter equipped for international flight. RNZDF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Pacific

RNZAF NH90s complete longest flights over water

13/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5710 Views 0 Comments

For the first time, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopters have flown between two countries, crossing a large swathe

PNG Minister for Finance Thomas Opa and a Royal Australian Air Force officer unveil the new sign at the opening of the Aviation Heritage Centre at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photos by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Historic aircraft find new home in PNG heritage centre

12/09/202513/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4012 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, PNG

Papua New Guinea’s aviation heritage can now be proudly displayed following the opening of the purpose-built Aviation Heritage Centre at

An Australian Army member from the Parachute Training School descend into Sir Hubert Murray Stadium from a PNG Defence Force aircraft during the Military Tattoo at Port Moresby. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Jack Pearce.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Military Tattoo showcases unity for PNG50

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4412 Views 0 Comments PNG, PNGDF

Music, culture and fireworks lit up Sir Hubert Murray Stadium as Papua New Guinea hosted a Military Tattoo in the

Private Janet Puk, from 4th Health Battalion, examines mosquitoes under the microscope in Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, during Exercise Alon. Story and photos by Sergeant Roger Tang.

Australian Army News Pacific

Soldier combats enemy that’s hard to see

05/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4582 Views 0 Comments 4th Health Battalion, Exercise Alon, Philippines

Battling mosquitoes and torrential rain, an Environmental Health soldier protected Defence members from health risks during Exercise Alon in the

A Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler lands at Clark Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Alon 2025. Story by Flying Officer Aarron Dann. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Growlers, Hornets deploy to Philippines for first time

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5233 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, EA-18G Growler, Exercise Alon, F/A-18F Super Hornet

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken air combat capability to the next level, deploying EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18F

Australian Army soldiers from Battlegroup Ram fire a M777A2 howitzer during Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Major Tom Maclean. Photo by Sergeant Roger Tang.

Australian Army News Pacific

Major exercise in the Philippines

02/09/202507/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3905 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) demonstrated their ability to deliver integrated and

The new landing craft Late, which was delivered to Tonga at a handover ceremony at Masefield Naval Base on 29 August 2025. ADF image supplied.

Australian News Pacific

New landing craft delivered to Tonga

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3704 Views 1 Comment

Australia has successfully delivered a new landing craft vessel to Tonga, with an official handover ceremony taking place at the

Australian soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers participate in an amphibious landing and assault near San Vicente, the Philippines, during Exercise Alon 25. Photo by Corporal Adam Abela.

ADF News Overseas Pacific

Aussie + Filipino troops hit the beach

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5343 Views 0 Comments

The thump and smoke from simulated naval gunfire heralded the start of the amphibious assault. CAPTION: Australian soldiers from the

Personnel from 35 Squadron prepare a C-27J Spartan for an aerial surveillance patrol during Operation Solania in the Solomon Islands. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Spartan sustains Solania in Pacific

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3915 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, Solomon Islands

The third instalment of Operation Solania for the year took place in the Pacific from August 4-17, when the ADF

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