Pacific – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

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.

Growlers, Hornets deploy to Philippines for first time

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5309 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 3949 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 3755 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 5397 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 3973 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 3930 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 2500 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 2411 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 6712 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 3064 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

Australian Army soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment visit he Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Monument during Exercise Coastwatchers 2025. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photo by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Coastwatchers cast eye on security and history

07/05/202510/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 6471 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, 4th Health Battalion, Exercise Coastwatchers, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Solomon Islands

Exercise Coastwatchers, the little-known but significant training exercise between Australia and the Solomon Islands, has successfully completed rotation 11. CAPTION: Australian

Sergeant Matthew Watson and Sapper Daniel Almer from 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron prepare an unexploded ordnance for disposal during Operation Render Safe 25-B Nauru. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.

ADF News Pacific

Sappers helping Nauru to be safe

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2049 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

A team of ADF explosives experts worked with Government of Nauru authorities to dispose of two World War 2-era unexploded

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and members of the Philippine Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Company conduct littoral assault training with Zodiac small boats during a Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) program at Marine Base Ternate. Photo by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army News Pacific

Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines doubles commitment

11/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4218 Views 0 Comments JATT-P, Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P), Philippines

Military training activities between Australia and the Philippines are increasing in 2025, strengthening cooperation and broadening interoperability. CAPTION: Australian Army

US Army personnel on the ramp of a RAAF C-27J Spartan overlook Kwajalein Atoll. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photos by Sherman Hogue.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Spartan supports fisheries patrol in Marshall Islands

28/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4072 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Rai Balang, Operation Solania

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and its crew have played a key role in the Pacific Islands Forum

ADV Reliant delivers one of three boats to be given to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force during a port visit to Honiara, Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Lyndon Harvey. Photos by Lieutenant Commander Brenton-James Glover.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

ADF back to Solomons on survey mission

25/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2814 Views 0 Comments 12th Chief Engineer Works (12CEW), Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, Littoral Riverine Survey Squadron, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant deployed to Solomon Islands recently for vital survey work, reinforcing Australia’s longstanding commitment to the