Pacific – CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Navy officer completes the 2026 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in HMAS Perth during her Indo-Pacific Regional Presence Deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Census on the high seas

20/08/202620/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 289 Views 0 Comments

For most people, this year’s census was filled out at home, on the couch or in the study – but,

Vanuatu Mobile Force Lance Corporal Larry Qara, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department Police Constable Barnabas Talo and Royal Australian Navy sailor, Leading Seaman Clearance Diver Bradley Fox discuss explosive ordnance disposal techniques at Cook Barracks in Port Vila, Vanuatu, during Operation Render Safe 26-2. Photo by Petty Officer Daniel Goodman.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Disposing of UXO in Solomon Islands

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 468 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

No one knows exactly how many bombs left over from World War II are in Solomon Islands, but those working

HMAS Sydney (V) conducts a 5-inch Mark 45 62-calibre gun serial during the RIMPAC 2026 sea phase. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Exciting shoot for HMAS Sydney on RIMPAC Rodeo

25/07/202626/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 530 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney (V), RIMPAC

HMAS Sydney took part in the ‘RIMPAC Rodeo’, an international naval gunfire support serial during the sea phase of Exercise

Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers from HMAS Yarra and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department personnel dive to the wreck of the Kinugawa Maru near Honiara, Solomon Islands, during Operation Render Safe. Photographer unknown.

News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Diving for lethal treasure

19/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 903 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

ADF and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts discovered more than 11 tonnes of World

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat demonstrates integration with other platforms during Exercise Valiant Shield. Story by Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photo by Senior Airman Austin Salazar, US Air Force.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Ghost features at US Exercise Valiant Shield

15/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 765 Views 0 Comments Exercise Valiant Shield, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

The future of Indo-Pacific defence and security was put to the test during Exercise Valiant Shield. CAPTION: The MQ-28A Ghost

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 636 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 914 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 916 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 912 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 2724 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 428 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 573 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 491 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 754 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 1568 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 1314 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 5788 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 4054 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 4461 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 4618 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

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