News – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Warrant Officer Jonathan West talks with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailor on board JS Kumano as the ship transits to the Port of Brisbane. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos: byLeading Seaman Danyellah Hill.

First-hand look at Japanese frigate operations

22/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 572 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel recently gained first-hand exposure to Japan’s Mogami-class frigate and a clear view of the advanced

Australia’s Federation Guard alongside the Royal Australian Navy Band visits memorial sights from the Western Front in France prior to partaking in Anzac Day 2025 dawn services. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

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French town where war dead are not forgotten

22/04/202622/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 478 Views 0 Comments

In the farming country of northern France, a small town carries a quiet Australian accent. CAPTION: Australia’s Federation Guard alongside

The first Australian-manufactured guided multiple launch rocket system missiles are test fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Andrew Green.

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Aussie engineers fire fruit of their labour

22/04/202626/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 460 Views 0 Comments GMLRS, Lockheed Martin Australia, Woomera Test Range

Ahead of the first firing of Australian-made long-range strike missiles, Australian engineers at the Port Wakefield manufacturing facility have been

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.

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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

ADF personnel from 12 Squadron and 5th Aviation Regiment stand for a group photo during the historical call sign handover ceremony at RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Halley Van essen.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Buffalo is back

17/04/202617/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 712 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, No. 12 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Townsville, WWII

More than 80 years after its formation, the Buffalo call sign has returned home to 12 Squadron at RAAF Base

HMAS Warramunga opens up to the public during the PortFest open day in Albany, WA. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Keigan Gunther. Photos by Leading Seaman Shaun Chatfield.

News Royal Australian Navy

Navy ship adds weight to celebrations

17/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 497 Views 0 Comments HMAS Warramunga, Open Day

Thousands of locals flocked to see HMAS Warramunga at Albany’s PortFest open day, marking the Port of Albany’s 200-year contribution to Western

Corporal Nathan Scott, an aviation operations specialist with the 5th Aviation Regiment, conducts communications checks as part of Exercise Helicon Luk 2025 in Papua New Guinea. Story by Captain Tadek Markowski. Photos by Corporal Dana Millington.

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The team that supports Army’s aircrews

17/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 411 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, Exercise Helicon Luk

According to the ADF’s recruitment portal, the key responsibility of an aviation operations specialist (AOS) is to “provide communications and

Lieutenant James Sullivan, right, and Captain Charlotte Bradstreet prepare an explosive charge during the explosives supervisor course at Holsworthy Barracks. Story by Lieutenant Emily Tinker. Photos by Corporal Hamid Farahani.

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Reservist gets creative by blowing things up

17/04/202618/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 506 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, explosives, Holsworthy Barracks, School of Military Engineering

For Lieutenant James Sullivan, ‘blowing up’ is just a part of the job description – whether he’s at his desk

HMAS Sydney fires the Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise RIMPAC 2024. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

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Defence prepares for new National Defence Strategy

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 602 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

A bigger, stronger and more lethal Defence Force is better placed to defend Australia and its interests, according to Chief

Transit Security Element Rotation 119 members at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct in Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Christopher Morris. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Triservice team strengthens border security

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 499 Views 0 Comments Larraykeyah Defence Precinct, Operation Resolute

Members of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force deployed as Transit Security Element (TSE) Rotation

Leading Seaman Abbey Lane, centre left, with Ron and Mason during Operation Flood Assist in 2022. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

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From flood relief to friendship

15/04/202615/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 339 Views 0 Comments Operation Flood Assist 2022

For Leading Seaman Abbey Lane, a few hours in a flooded caravan park turned into a connection that still rings

The Ghost Shark is one of the uncrewed systems the Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit will operate. Story by Lieutenant Dylan Thinee. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

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Navy names autonomous systems unit

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 529 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, Ghost Shark, Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU)

The Royal Australian Navy has formally named the Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), marking a key step in Navy’s transition

Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus Captain Ben Esler presents Navy veteran Ron Stannus with a copy of a drawing of HMAS Warramunga, at the Heritage and Learning Centre, HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. Sub-Lieutenant Andrew Murphy. Photos by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

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Passing the Navy baton with wise words

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 410 Views 0 Comments HMAS Cerberus, WWII

As he approaches his 100th birthday, Navy veteran Frederick Ronald Stannus returned to HMAS Cerberus, the place his Navy story began

Chief prof Army nominee Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chief of Defence Force nominee Admiral Mark Hammond and Chief of Navy nominee Rear Admiral Mathew Buckley, after the change of leadership announcement in Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

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New ADF leaders announced

13/04/202614/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 725 Views 2 Comments

The Australian government today announced a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force. Subject to the Governor

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman and Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart with Private Blaithe Gill-O’Connor, the winner of the 2026 Defence Capability Award. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Kris Kerehona.

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Camouflage innovation wins award

10/04/202610/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 510 Views 0 Comments Chief of Army, Edgy Air Force Lab, MakerSpace

A digger’s development of rapidly deployable vehicle camouflage to better hide from drones has earned him a gold commendation. CAPTION:

Members of the community get up close to a CH-47D Chinook helicopter on display at the Australian Army Flying Museum, Oakey, Queensland. Story and photos by Major Carolyn Barnett.

Australian Army History News

Inside the Australian Army Flying Museum

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 423 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Flying Museum

At the Australian Army Flying Museum, the Chinook helicopter captivates visitors with its sheer scale and commanding presence. CAPTION: Members of

Army soldiers from 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, conduct basic soldier skills during Exercise El Adem, at Beecroft Weapons Range, Jervis Bay. Story by Major Tim Sydenham. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

Australian Army News

Gunners practise tactics with rifles and drones

10/04/202612/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 515 Views 0 Comments 9th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Army Reserve, Beecroft Weapons Range, Exercise El Adem, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

While their expertise is in the use of small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), soldiers from 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery,

Commandant of the Army Logistics Training Centre Colonel Charmaine Benfield presents Craftsman Jack Patman with his certificate. Story by Captain Krysten Clifton. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

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Marine technicians chart a new course for Army

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 401 Views 0 Comments Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), HMAS Cerberus

Growing up on the coast of Western Australia, Craftsman Jack Patman spent countless hours at his father’s side, helping pull

Maritime warfare officer Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce on the bridge wing of HMAS Stuart during Exercise Kakadu. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photos by Leading Seaman Danyellah Hill.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Warfare officer charts course to Kakadu review

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 454 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Stuart

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce joined Navy to help people and explore the world. CAPTION: Maritime warfare officer Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce

Army veteran William Knowles and his wife Dianne with welfare officer Barry Low and soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Photos by Sapper Oliver McKenzie.

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‘Homecoming’ for former sapper

10/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 365 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Lavarack Barracks

A long-held wish was granted to former sapper William ‘Bill’ Knowles, who returned to Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks last month for