USAF Major Zach “Santa Badger” Overbey stands before three USAF C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules, 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron and a Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H Hercules, 251st Airlift Squadron during Operation Christmas Drop 2023.
20 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Giving Santa an extra hand

Partner nations came together to deliver Christmas presents to remote Micronesian atolls.

Community engagement
272 Phase 2 ADF Intermediate Pilots’ Course members assembled on the flight line with a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce in WA ahead of their graduation.
20 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Pilots flying high after graduating

Student pilots mark milestone at last course graduation for the year.

Ceremonies & events
Cyber Security Teams from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand work together at Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory during Operation INCAA.
20 Dec 2023
Navy, Army, Air Force
News

ADF strengthens cyber security

ADF cyber experts joined with US and international counterparts to enhance and strengthen cyber security measures.

Alliances & relationships | Capability & technology
1 Combat Communications Squadron provides a temporary communications service for the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023.
20 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Air show communications talk the talk

A radio interface system has enhanced the quality and reliability of communications between controllers and aircraft.

Capability & technology | Community engagement
Personnel from 2 Squadron operate an aircraft de-icing machine to remove ice and snow from an E-7A Wedgetail before flight during Operation Kudu in Germany.
19 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Trusted eyes into the European skies

As temperature plummets towards freezing, RAAF maintenance crew work hard to prepare the Wedgetail E-7A in southern Germany.

Alliances & relationships | Operations & missions
Outgoing Space Commander Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts congratulates Major General Greg Novak on his appointment at Space Command Headquarters in Canberra.
13 Dec 2023
Navy, Army, Air Force
News

New commander to shape space power

The ADF's first Defence Space Commander has handed over the reins after two years at the helm.

Capability & technology
(L-R) RAAF Squadron Leader David Thornton, PNGDF Lieutenant Colonel Doug Vavar, RAAF Group Captain Stephen Fielder, and in the front row, Wing Commander Tim Shaw stand with a PAC-750XL at the Air Transport Wing, Port Moresby.
13 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

The perfect gift for PNG

Australia gifts two new aircrafts to the PNG Defence Force, increasing their capabilities.

Alliances & relationships
Navy Able Seaman Ben Schofield hits the ball during a one-day match against Army at the ADF National Inter-Service Cricket Championships in Canberra.
12 Dec 2023
Navy, Army, Air Force
News

Pitched battle of the services

Army and Navy took the silverware, while Air Force players shone in their own right at the ADF cricket championships.

Sports, health & wellbeing
Employers and ADF Reservists pose for a group photo on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra during an immersion activity at Garden Island for the National Employer Support Awards in Sydney.
11 Dec 2023
Navy, Army, Air Force
News

Recognising support for ADF reservists

The country’s most supportive civilian employers of Reserve members were recognised at the annual National Employer Support Awards.

Awards & recognition
CRP Project Manager Akilan Krishnamoorthy (front row second from the left), Director PMU Noorin Popat (front, third from the left), and Group Captain Russell Barton (front, fourth from the left), with other team members and the first KC-30A to have returned from Spain after the upgrade.
11 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Aircraft's full potential unleashed

The first KC-30A Multi-Role Transport Tanker to receive significant upgrades has returned from Spain.

Capability & technology | Industry & partnership
Astronaut candidate, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, receives her Air Force uniform at the European Space Agency in Germany from Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts and European Space Agency Director Daniel Neuenschwande following her appointment as Honorary Group Captain in RAAF.
07 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Inspiration to reach for the stars

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first Australian to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag at the European Space Agency.

People & service
Left to right, Warrant Officer Scott Roberts, Corporal Stephen Campling and Leading Aircraftman Todd Koneman from 1 Combat Communication Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland
07 Dec 2023
Air Force
News

Squadron takes charity support literally

It's been a year of commitment for aviators at RAAF Base Amberley as they raise funds for the Smith Family.

Community engagement | People & service