Pacific – CONTACT magazine

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.

NZ Army’s first Ex Balikatan

11/05/202611/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 68 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 458 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 372 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 642 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 1438 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 1170 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 5540 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 3948 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 4354 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 4533 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 5163 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 3854 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 3636 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 5268 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 3855 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

New Zealand Army gunners from 16th Field Regiment lead a live-fire mortar exercise alongside Papua New Guinea Defence Force counterparts. NZDF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Pacific

New Zealand Army delivers first mortar course in PNG

16/08/202516/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3806 Views 1 Comment NZDF, PNGDF

A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent drawn from various units within 1st (NZ) Brigade and Joint Support Group has

HMAS Sydney (left) and Spanish Navy frigate Mendez Nunez conduct officer of the watch manoeuvres during Regional Presence Deployment 25-2. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

International sister ships meet at sea

25/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2399 Views 0 Comments

If HMAS Sydney looked like it was sailing with a twin, that’s because it was. CAPTION: HMAS Sydney (left) and

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel attached to the Australian Amphibious Force - Amphibious Task Group 1 (ATG-1) participate in Wet and Dry Environmental Rehearsals (WADER) from HMAS Canberra during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in the Cowley Beach Training Area, Queensland. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Japan News Pacific

Multinational integration during amphib landings

25/07/202525/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2285 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre

Over the last few days, the Australian Amphibious Force has completed significant Force Integration Training (FIT) and Wet and Dry

Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific on display during an award ceremony at the Navy Capability Centre – Henderson, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

ADF News Pacific

New medal for Indo-Pacific service

18/07/202518/07/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6153 Views 1 Comment

Approximately 150 personnel of ship’s company of HMAS Stuart are among the first in the nation to receive the Australian

Australian Army officer Major Liam Clarke, from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, and Papua New Guinea Defence Force officer Captain Cyril Gerari, from Igam Barracks Engineer Battalion, on Exercise Puk Puk, in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Lance Corporal Caitlyn Davill.

Australian Army News Pacific

Brothers in arms and construction in PNG

11/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2943 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Exercise Puk Puk, PNG

Combat engineers from five nations executed four major and two minor projects in eight weeks during Exercise Puk Puk in

← Previous