RAAF Townsville Archives - CONTACT magazine

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 2 Operational Conversion Unit takes to the sky for a mission during Exercise High Sierra, RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Madeleine Magee. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

Up, up and away for new pilots

13/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 776 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

The Royal Australian Air Force welcomed its newest F-35A Lightning II trainee fast jet pilots to Townsville as 2 Operational

Two cranes return Neptune A89-280 back onto its plinth at the RAAF Base Townsville entrance. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell.

ADF People History News Royal Australian Air Force

Townsville’s iconic Neptune resumes duty

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 809 Views 0 Comments Neptune, No. 10 Squadron, RAAF Reserve, RAAF Townsville

Reserve personnel used professionalism, pride and impressive trade skills to restore RAAF Base Townsville’s iconic Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune A89-280 gate

Australian Army Joint Tactical Attack Controllers from 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery observe round impacts during Exercise Nigrum Pugio with RAAF at Townsville Field Training Area, Townsville, Queensland. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Trooper Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Refining call-in of targeted attacks

20/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 821 Views 0 Comments 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Exercise Nigrum Pugio, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

A pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets roar overhead as a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) on the ground radios through

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft drops a bomb at the Townsville Field Training Area as part of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course live-fire serials during Exercise Black Dagger 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Black Dagger 24 right on target

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4012 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Dagger, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Townsville

Royal Australian Air Force personnel called in weapons strikes from air combat aircraft and artillery units during Exercise Black Dagger

Leading Aircraftman Blake O'Brien stands in front of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber on the RAAF Base Amberley flight line. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by US Air Force

News Royal Australian Air Force

Memorable moment in aviation career

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 551 Views 0 Comments No. 23 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Townsville, US Air Force

A promotion is always a significant and unforgettable milestone in any aviator’s career. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftman Blake O’Brien stands in front

RAAF Base Townsville base manager Jacinta Wallace, left, and Acting Senior ADF Officer RAAF Base Townsville Wing Commander Paul Howell at the official opening of the new AAFCANS café in Building 53.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Base Townsville’s AAFCANS moves into old Sgts Mess

11/07/202417/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 689 Views 0 Comments RAAF Townsville

RAAF Base Townsville’s AAFCANS (Army and Air Force Canteen Service) café has a new home: a refurbished World War 2-era

A parade signified the transfer of command of Army Aviation Training Centre and their subordinate units to 16th Aviation Brigade. Story by Major Carolyn Barnett. Photos by Craftsman Luc McLean.

Australian Army News

Parade marks milestone for Army aviation

12/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1711 Views 0 Comments 16th Aviation Brigade, Army Aviation Training Centre, RAAF Townsville

Army aviation’s command and control has been streamlined following the transfer of command of Army Aviation Training Centre and its

An Air Force F-35A Lightning II performs a handling display during the RAAF Base Townsville community open day. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Base Townsville open day

27/03/202430/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1608 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, Open Day, RAAF Townsville

Many people who might have wondered what happens behind the gates guarded by the Lockheed P-2 Neptune at the entrance

An F-35A Lightning II arriving at RAAF Base Townsville ready to participate in Exercise High Sierra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New pilots challenged on High Sierra

05/12/202311/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1212 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Williamtown

RAAF personnel and aircraft were deployed to RAAF Base Townsville to conduct the final phase of Exercise High Sierra at

Corporal Hannah Graham winds in the earthing cable before heading out to refuel. Story b y Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People

Refuelling fast jets in record time

19/07/202323/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1176 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

As a wave of eight fast jets land, Corporal Hannah Graham dispatches tankers to refuel the aircraft – enabling redeployment

Leading Aircraftman Harry Williamson, a ground support equipment technician from 27 Squadron, works in the engine bay of a G-Wagon at RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Aarron Dann. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Providing crucial air power in the north

14/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1237 Views 0 Comments Black Dagger, Combat Support Group (CSG), Exercise High Sierra, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Curtin, RAAF Townsville

RAAF Base Townsville is one of seven bases supporting the Northern Air Campaign 2023 (NAC23), a surge period of concurrent

RAAF and USAF members work together during the arrival of a USAF C-17 Globemaster III into RAAF Base Townsville from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Tanya Carter.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Aviators put skills to the test

14/07/202319/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2058 Views 0 Comments Exercise Mobile Guardian, No. 13 Squadron, No. 23 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

A contingent of RAAF personnel and aircraft are testing their readiness skills and interoperability with partner nations in an exercise

Performers from Wulgurukaba Traditional Custodian Group participate in a smoking ceremony to celebrate the opening of the yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People History

A space to yarn on Gurrumbilbarra country

07/07/202307/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 947 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, NAIDOC Week, RAAF Townsville

Members of the Wulgurukaba people on Gurrumbilbarra country have officially opened a yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville with a

An Air Force Hawk 127 and F-35A Lightning II prepare to take off during Exercise High Sierra at RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by LAC Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New F-35 pilots graduate

04/07/202305/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1559 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

Exercise High Sierra is back gracing Townsville airspace once again, following a two-year hiatus, to graduate the latest cadre of

Members from Australian Army 5th Aviation Regiment prepare to depart RAAF Base Townsville to support flood recovery efforts in Western Australia. Story by Captain Carolyn Barnett. Photo by Linda Bone.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Chopper crews proud to lend a hand in Western Australia

09/01/202315/01/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1747 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, MRH-90 Taipan, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA, Operation Flood Assist 2023-1, RAAF Townsville

Three MRH-90 Taipan, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, their aircrews and a team of support personnel from the 5th Aviation Regiment

Warrant Officer Kevin ‘Skeet’ Parker, left, removing the dome nut from a propeller in the paint shop at the RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Flight Sergeant Michael Hartley.

ADF People History

Half a century maintaining Australia’s aircraft

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 975 Views 0 Comments RAAF Reserve, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre (RTAHC)

After serving with Air Force for more than half a century, Warrant Officer Kevin ‘Skeet’ Parker now spends his retirement

Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith inspects the Navy Indigenous Development Program graduates during their graduation parade at Munro Martin Parkland, Cairns. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton . Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

News Royal Australian Navy

Indigenous program graduates inspire others

29/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1412 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Navy Indigenous Development Program, RAAF Townsville

After five months of hard work and determination, the members of class 17 of the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP)