Category: Defence

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn was awarded her wings in a joint graduation of Navy and Air Force pilots from Course 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course. The Wings badge is given to aircrew who achieve required proficiency in flying military aircraft.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Defence said future drone investments would “work together and complement crewed systems”.

The decision to allow non-citizens originally from Five Eyes countries to join the ADF was announced six months ago, in a bid to alleviate a skill shortage in the military.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III last month dropped off the first supplies at Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica.

Operation Christmas Drop 24 ran from 4 to 17 December and involved a RAAF C-130J Hercules and 35 Australian Defence Force personnel.

The iconic Chinook can trace its history all the way back to the 1960s, with its primary role including troop transportation, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply.

The planes landed at RAAF Base Williamtown between November and December as part of Operation Lightning Ferry, bringing the Air Force’s total F-35A contingent to 72.

Born in Melbourne, His Honour Austin Asche AC KC spent his early years in Darwin and Melbourne, serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, and later earned a Bachelor and Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.

The new centre is located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, around 25 kilometres north of Adelaide, and would be available for use by No. 92 Wing’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft used to conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia’s airspace.