ADF People Archives - CONTACT magazine

From left, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Corporal Matthew Thornton, Flight Lieutenant Edwin Betar and Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton at the Air Force writing awards presentation. Story by Squadron Leader Sacha Mondon. Photos by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.

Awards honour outstanding writers

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 146 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

An essay about the hazards of the ADF becoming dependent on contractors and industry, and a paper on the necessity

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hyun Kim is promoted by Commander 1st (Australian) Division, Major General Ash Collingburn during Exercise Freedom Shield at Camp Yongin, Republic of Korea. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Sergeant Won Kyu Jeon (Republic of Korea).

Linguist left speechless at award ceremony

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 155 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Exercise Freedom Shield, linguists, South Korea, United Nations Command (UNC)

Army reservist Corporal Hyun Kim was promoted from craftsman to corporal and presented with an Army Silver Commendation during Exercise

Australian Army Private Kamarga Rogers, from 3rd Close Health Battalion, discusses medical techniques with Lieutenant Susami Shiori of the Japan Self-Defense Force during Operation Render Safe. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People Australian Army Overseas

Army medic relishes first deployment

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 184 Views 0 Comments 3rd Health Battalion, Japan Self-Defense Force, Operation Render Safe, PNG, unexploded ordnance, WWII

In the tropical terrain of East New Britain, Australian Defence Force personnel are working with international partners to help make

Captain Brendan Nguyen engages with a student during mental health training in Ho Chi Minh City. Story and photos by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Overseas

Army psych values training first-hand in Vietnam

13/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 783 Views 0 Comments UNMISS, Vietnam

Australian Army psychologist Captain Viet (Brendan) Nguyen returned to the homeland of his parents to assist in preparing Vietnam People’s

Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Matt Buckley, receives the 'Weight' of office on handover from Commodore Eric Young at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

ADF People

Deputy Chief of Navy’s submarine succession

13/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 512 Views 0 Comments

Rear Admiral Matt Buckley commenced as Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) in January, the second submariner to take up the

Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for his work on board HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Toowoomba team delivers bonus for Anzac fleet

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 618 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, King's Birthday Honours

By conducting thorough fault analysis, coordinating system-level testing and articulating complex problems for stakeholders, Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis and his

Leading Seaman Sara, of HMAS Dechaineux, receives the Conspicuous Service Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Chef celebrated for comfort food at sea

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 496 Views 0 Comments HMAS Dechaineux, King's Birthday Honours

Sailing through oceans deep beneath the waves, where it’s cold and confined, it’s often a simple, warm meal that brings

For his work during Operation Kudu, Squadron Leader Darrin Lindsay receives the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Building a strong team with honesty and leadership

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 268 Views 0 Comments King's Birthday Honours, Operation Kudu, Ukraine

From a base in Germany, Squadron Leader Darrin Lindsay commanded a 100-strong team flying E-7A Wedgetail missions for Operation Kudu,

His Majesty King Charles III inspects Australia's Federation Guard at Parliament House in Canberra on 21 October 2024. Photo by Nicole Minkowski.

ADF People

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 539 Views 0 Comments

KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS ADF personnel are recognised for a broad range of skills and contributions across three services in this

Head of Military Strategic Plans Major General Colin Karotam talks with defence industry professionals during Exercise Autonomous Warrior 2022 at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, Australian Capital Territory. Photo by Leading Seaman Ryan Tascas.

ADF ADF People News

Military members honoured in King’s Birthday list

08/06/202515/06/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 328 Views 0 Comments

ADF personnel are recognised for a broad range of skills and contributions across three services in this year’s King’s Birthday

Royal Australian Air Force personnel from Australia's Federation Guard and 100 Squadron carry the caskets of Warrant Officer Russell Grigg and Warrant Officer Clement Wiggins in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Squadron Leader Karyn Markwell. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha Katz-White.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

World War II aviators laid to rest after eight decades

06/06/202517/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 679 Views 0 Comments Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The remains of two aviators from 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-186 were laid to rest in a moving committal service on

Private Arianna Yunkaporta and Private Irwin Yunkaporta, of 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, attend a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photos by Corporal Jarrod Moreels.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Emotional trip south for Indigenous soldiers

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 672 Views 0 Comments 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment, Army Reserve, AWM, WWII

Canberra did not put on its best to welcome Arianna and Irwin Yunkaporta – the two Army Reserve soldiers from

Aviators from 2 and 29 Squadrons form both an honour guard and bearer party for the late Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear in Mornington, Tasmania. Story by Flying Officer Matthew Dawson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF honours WWII veteran, community stalwart

04/06/202514/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 703 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Squadron, No. 29 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant (retd) Brian Winspear, who died aged 104, has been remembered for his distinguished wartime service, post-war contributions to

Commodore Dan Sutherland with his family, wife Rita and children Edward, Juliet and Evie. Story by Lieutenant Felicity Jevardat de Fombelle.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Life lessons from a five-year-old girl

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 493 Views 0 Comments

Submarine chief Commodore Dan Sutherland has thought about leaving the Navy. Twice. CAPTION: Commodore Dan Sutherland with his family, wife Rita

Then-Squadron Leader Ray 'Homer' Simpson, Executive Officer 3 Squadron, on Operation Okra, in front of his F/A-18A Classic Hornet featuring 'Dirty Harry smoking gun' nose art hand drawn by Corporal Patrick Kelly after Homer's strafe pass, the first by a 3 Squadron aircraft since WW2. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Award inspires aviators to excel

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 437 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course

Air Warfighter Instructor students are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of one of the RAAF’s most remarkable pilots.

Australian Army soldiers form a Bearer Party outside St George's Cathedral in Perth to carry Arthur Leggett's casket inside for his State Funeral. From left, WO1 Ian Hallt, WO1 Brad Foster and WO1 Bruce Williams. Story by Captain Alasdair Dolan. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

State Funeral honours veteran of WWII

30/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1435 Views 1 Comment 11th/28th Battalion, 13th Brigade, Chief of Army, WWII

The City of Perth stood still on the morning of Saturday May 10, to honour a fallen hero who, while

Deputy Surgeon General ADF and Head of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Brigadier Isaac Seidl, presents Sir ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s granddaughter, Diana, with a set of miniature medals. Story by Michael Hoare.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family of war-time hero receives replica medals

30/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 744 Views 0 Comments Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, WWII

A new set of Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s war medals has been presented to his family after burglars stole

Sergeant David Taylor proudly carries the national flag with the Australian team at the 2024 International Precision Rifle Federation Centerfire World Championships in Colorado, US. Story by Wing Commander Deanna Nott.

ADF People

Aviator locked and loaded for precision rifle title

27/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 470 Views 0 Comments No. 27 Squadron

Sergeant David Taylor is locked and loaded for the 2025 International Precision Rifle Federation (IPRF) World Championships, heading to the

Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant Commander Brian Brook, Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander Andrew Frugtniet and US Navy Lieutenant Makiling are deployed to Japan in support of the UN Security Council sanctions Enforcement Coordination Cell. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF People News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Front-row seat on Indo-Pacific security

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1557 Views 0 Comments North Korea, Royal Canadian Air Force, united Nations Security Council, US Navy

From a naval base in Tokyo, a team of four Australians are working with international partners to enforce United Nations

Patrick Killen enters the water from Port Noarlunga Jetty as part of the Veterans Dive Initiative open water course. Story and photos by Captain Peter March.

ADF People

Military kids take plunge into whole new world

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 898 Views 0 Comments

Eight young children of serving and ex-serving ADF members have taken the plunge into a new world at the Veterans

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