From a nailbiting mission over Iraq in RAAF's recent history to thoughtful portraits of the people of Air Force to a whimsical late entry that lends a bit of Christmas spirit, Air Force News Editor Evana Ho takes a look back at some of 2025's best stories.
Wedgetail Takes Control (pages 8-9)
With the end of Operation Okra, Air Force News ran a series remembering RAAF's contribution to the multinational effort to defeat the extremist group Daesh. This story tells how a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail's first operational flight into Iraq became anything but uneventful.
From a village in Vietnam to our biggest airbase | Defence
This year, Corporal Trung Phan and other Vietnamese aviators honoured 50 years of refugee settlement in Australia, in the wake of the Vietnam War. Corporal Phan shares how his enlistment was the fulfilment of a promise to serve the country that accepted his family with open arms.
'It's remembering those that laid down their lives for us in the Vietnam War, especially the Australians that never returned home.'
Israel relief flight shows pride in mission | Defence
RAAF crew undertook a fraught mission in June to airlift Australians to safety amid the Israel-Iran conflict.
'When the flight was on the ground in Israel there were warnings and indicators that missiles were going to be launching, as well as other potential airborne threats from neighbouring regions.'
Aviator on point with horse and bow | Defence
In uniform, Leading Aircraftwoman Caitlyn Blumenthal is an aircraft technician with 1 Squadron. Out of uniform, she's a champion horse archer. But her relationship to success has been an uneasy one.
Unbroken surveillance of the seas | Defence
On Operation Argos, a crew from 11 Squadron monitored the seas to help enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.
'Two ships parked next to each other certainly looks suspicious, given what we know occurs in this area. We can't make assumptions, but we gather as much information as we can to build the bigger picture.'
Dawn patrol brings quiet magic to Bathurst | Defence
Squadron Leader Sam Wright had been readying himself to leave the Air Force. Instead, he became Air Force's longest-serving balloon pilot.
Alfie the Elf's Christmas at RAAF Base Richmond
After tumbling out of Santa's sleigh, Alfie the Elf finds himself at RAAF Base Richmond. There, he makes friends with the local military working dogs, lends a hand in the gym and hitches a ride home on a RAAF C-130J Hercules.
'If Santa ever needs help patrolling the sky, I'll recommend you all.'
