The Australian government says it has expressed its concerns to the Chinese government following what they say was an unsafe and unprofessional interaction between a People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (PLA-AF) fighter aircraft and an Australian helicopter. FILE PHOTO: HMAS Hobart’s embarked MH-60R helicopter “Voodoo” returns to the ship during flying operations on her current deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall. According to the Australian government official statement, on Saturday 4 May 2024, HMAS Hobart was in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activit ..read more

In a significant move for allied air capability, the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force have re-formed their respective 80 Squadrons. CAPTION: Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton (L) and Royal Australian Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman shake hands at the 80 Squadron re-formation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photos by USAF Samuel King Jr. The occasion was marked with a dual squadron parade and re-formation ceremony, attended by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipm ..read more

Flying across the highlands of Papua New Guinea, a RAAF C-27J Spartan conducted airlift operations in support of its close partner, the PNG Defence Force and PNG government. CAPTION: A RAAF C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron parked at Telefomin Airport, Papua New Guinea, during the Defence Pacific Air Program. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller. Part of the Defence Pacific Air Program (DPAP) 2024, the aircraft from 35 Squadron has supported PNGDF troop movements, delivered essential supplies to remote areas and strengthened this special partnership. D ..read more

Deployed on Operation Manitou in Bahrain, Leading Seaman Tahlia Lemon has been recognised by the Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) for her support of personnel working in the region. CAPTION: Leading Seaman Maritime Personnel Operator Tahlia Lemon recieves a letter of commendation from Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces and Commander US 5th Fleet, US Navy Vice Admiral George Wikoff while deployed on Operation Manitou. Story by Lieutenant Ben Page. In a letter of commendation from the CMF Commander and Commander US 5th Fleet, United States Navy, Vice Admiral Georg ..read more

An excited toddler repeatedly asks, “Is my dad on that ship?” CAPTION: Lieutenant Rene Van Rooyen from HMAS Warramunga embraces her partner on the wharf of Fleet Base East, Sydney, on return from deployment.
 Story by Lieutenant Nicole Gallie. Photos by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson. Minutes later he’s scooped into his father’s arms, a happy reunion after 96 days away from home. Family and friends crowded the wharf at Fleet Base East on April 29 to welcome HMAS Warramunga home after its regional presence deployment to India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines. C ..read more

A pilgrimage to Anzac Cove prompted Leading Seaman Peta Binns to reflect on the sacrifice and valour etched into her family’s history. CAPTION: Leading Seaman Peta Binns’ great-great uncle, 2nd Lieutenant George Oakley Newton, is circled in a photo of his cadet class. Story by Leading Seaman Peta Binns. Photo supplied by Australian War Memorial (P00864.001). Amid the echoes of haunting bugle calls and the sea crashing against the Gallipoli shoreline, I found myself immersed in a moving Anzac Day dawn service, paying tribute to the sacrifice of those who fought in the Great War. As a recen ..read more

I only went to the mall for a cup of coffee – but came away with two of the chunkiest pallets I’ve ever seen. A couple of hours later, I had a brand-new assembly table. Though I did have to go to Bunnings again, for a sheet of form ply for a table top – and a new reciprocating saw, because I killed my old one (it had a hard life, to be honest). Oh yeah – I did actually get that cup of coffee too.       The post New assembly table from chunky pallets appeared first on CONTACT magazine ..read more

Australia is set to make its largest ever defence export after the Australian government signed a production contract with Rheinmetall Defence Australia last month. FILE PHOTO (July 2023): Chief of the German Army Lieutenant General Alfons Mais and Head of Equipment Department Ministry of Defence, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki prepare to take a test drive of a Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle at Rheinmetall Defense Australia, Brisbane, Queensland. Photo by Marc Dorow. The signing of the production contract fulfils the intent of a bilateral agreement signed by the Australian and German gove ..read more

The warble of magpies and chuckling of kookaburras filled the country air at Majors Creek as residents marched behind Australian Defence Force Academy cadets to the 150-year-old local church for the Anzac Day service. CAPTION: Singer-guitarist Bill Waterhouse performs at the Majors Creek Anzac Day service. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman. Opening speaker and organiser for the past 15 years, Rudolph Stachow, said the village always had a different theme for Anzac Day. This year it was the Vietnam War, in which 523 Australians died and 3025 were wounded. “I was an infantry soldier ..read more

Comradeship and camaraderie of the absolute highest order was on display as a group of family and close friends of two legendary aviators, accompanied by a number of currently serving Air Force members, trekked to a remote crash site to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a terrible loss. CAPTION: Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander David Riddel and Mark Johnson clean the memorial plaque at the crash site of F-111G A8-291, in Pulau Aur, Malaysia. Story. y Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis. Twenty-five years ago Air Force lost two of its most hig ..read more