News – Page 18 – CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II take off from Nellis Air Force Base, United States, during Exercise Red Flag 26-1. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

Bamboo Eagle – testing the battlespace ‘nervous system’

21/02/202621/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1008 Views 0 Comments

Exercise Bamboo Eagle 26-1, designed to test the ‘nervous system’ of joint and coalition AirPower took place in the USA

Australia's 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment Sapper Shonee Gelhaar and EDD Ash, who is indicating the presence of a target odour, is assisted by New Zealand Army's Lance Corporal Conor Woods. NZDF photo.

Australian Army New Zealand News

Aussie EDDs experience unique Kiwi test

21/02/202621/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 805 Views 0 Comments

In a significant first, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has taken the lead in organising and delivering a groundbreaking

The Pipes and Drums Band of the 2026 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Tattoo brings pageantry to Brisbane

20/02/202620/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 604 Views 0 Comments oyal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Under rainy Brisbane skies, the Australian Defence Force helped bring the world‑famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Suncorp Stadium for

Official portrait of Papua New Guinea Defence Force officer and Deputy Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Colonel Boniface Aruma. Photo by Captain Andrew Page. Corporal Guy Sadler.

ADF People Australian Army

The importance of leading by example

20/02/202620/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 689 Views 0 Comments 3rd Brigade, PNGDF

As the 3rd Brigade sharpens its focus on warfighting readiness, its deputy commander is equally focused on something less visible

The Defence Science and Technology Group leads a comprehensive program to explore, test and develop safer, higher performance battery technologies for Australia’s Defence platforms and systems. Story by Ilana Pender-Rose.

AUKUS Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

Safer, stronger batteries power Australia’s defence

20/02/202620/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 597 Views 0 Comments DSTG

As Australia moves toward more advanced and self‑reliant defence capabilities, the energy systems that power Defence platforms and systems have

Hawker Hunter Trophy awardee Flight Lieutenant Sam Nery with fellow graduates of the Empire Test Pilots' School in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photo by Wing Commander Wayne Baylis.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force UK

Aussies come up aces in UK flight testing

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 765 Views 0 Comments

Competitively drawn from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), four ADF officers graduated from the Empire

From left, Air Refuelling Officers Technical Sergeant Robert Kniveton from the United States Air Force, Flying Officer Rudolph Liebenberg from the Royal Australian Air Force and Captain Matthew MacMillan from the Royal Canadian Air Force stand in front of a RAAF KC-30A at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Natasha Silver. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Building global air mobility

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 762 Views 0 Comments air-to-air refuelling, KC-30A MRTT, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, Royal Canadian Air Force, US Air Force

Three nations. One team. One mission. CAPTION: From left, Air Refuelling Officers Technical Sergeant Robert Kniveton from the United States

Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft Technician, Leading Aircraftman Rory Kerr, stands in front of an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Red Flag 26-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, United States. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Mission-ready for Exercise Red Flag Nellis

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 706 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, Red Flag

While fighter jets roar overhead and complex air battles unfold across the Nevada desert, much of the success of Exercise

Aviators from 94 Wing and 294 Squadron wear the new patches at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Suellen Heath. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

New names, same missions

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 915 Views 0 Comments 94 Wing, Health Operational Conversion Unit (Health OCU), Health Services Wing, No. 294 Squadron

January 1 was not just the start of a new year, it was also the establishment of 94 Wing and

Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil cuts the ribbon at the opening of the state-of-the-art military working dog facility at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New working dog centre opens

18/02/202618/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 739 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs, No. 17 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A state‑of‑the‑art military working dog (MWD) facility has officially opened at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, marking a significant investment

The RUTHLESS program aims to cut red tape and help restore accountability to frontline commanders. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army News

Red tape in Army’s crosshairs

18/02/202622/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 814 Views 1 Comment

Army is taking aim at bureaucracy with a new program to strip administrative burdens away from soldiers and commanders to give

CONTACT Cadets News

Cadet’s bravery awarded

15/02/202615/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1015 Views 0 Comments

In recognition of a most extraordinary feat of individual bravery, 13-year-old Australian Army Cadet Austin Appelbee, has been recognised with

A typical Lavarack Barracks tiered group photo – this one from Exercise Suman Warrior 2013. Photo by Corporal Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army News

Dozens of soldiers injured in photo shoot

15/02/202615/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1133 Views 2 Comments

Dozens of Australian soldiers were injured on Friday when a tiered bench used for standard military group photos collapsed during

Photos by Christabel Migliorini. Follow Chrissie on Instagram.

ADF News Overseas

Edinburgh Tattoo hits Brisbane

14/02/202617/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2345 Views 0 Comments

Tartan, kilts, pipe bands and breathtaking cultural displays from around the world mean only one thing – the Royal Edinburgh

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 862 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

Lieutenant Kane Kasemchainan and Sub-Lieutenant Yasmin Dench, centre, were immersed in South Korean culture during their time on ROKS Hansando.

ADF People Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Training cruise strengthens naval ties

13/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 677 Views 0 Comments South Korean Navy

Royal Australian Navy officers Lieutenant Kane Kasemchainan and Sub-Lieutenant Yasmin Dench recently joined the South Korean Navy’s training ship ROKS Hansando for