This page will have regular updates posted to it by the members of Timor Leste Battle Group 3 based on 2 RAR. The deployment is from September 2007 to April 2008. Newest updates will be placed on top for easy access, but previous updates will be ekpt for those who like to look back or missed them.
Update 13 November 2007
It's difficult to believe that Battle Group Samichon has already been deployed for well over a month. It's been a busy few weeks as the soldiers work hard to get to know their areas of operation intimately, get accustomed to the heat and as we step through a number of rehearsals for key activities we need to get 100% right such as casualty evacuation procedures and aero-medical evacuation. I'm very proud of the way all soldiers of TLBG 3 have gone about their business so far and we are already seeing tangible results from our efforts as pockets of violence subside and key infrastructure such as schools and market areas re-open.
The Battle Group is now spread right across the island of East Timor. A Company is based in the Eastern Districts of Baucau and Viqueque. In Dili, we have B Company, CSS company and a rifle company from New Zealand (C Company). Our engineers and signals teams are also located in Dili along with the Battle Group Headquarters. D Company have deployed further to the west in the districts of Bobonaro and Ermera. You should be able to identify most of these districts on any map of East Timor. The soldiers deployed to the Eastern and Western districts do not enjoy the same access to the internet or welfare phones but I hope by now that most families have had some communication with their loved ones.
The Battle Group was deeply saddened last week by the sudden death of Private Ashley Baker from B Company. The soldiers of B Company sponsored a very fitting and moving memorial service at Shark Lines on Wednesday 7 November before formally farewelling his body back to Australia on Monday 12 November. Private Baker was a popular member of the Battle Group and our thoughts are now very much with his parents, Ian and Kylie Baker as well as his sister, Sylvia.
The Battle Group (and our engineers in particular) were also sad to learn of the injuries sustained by SGT Michael Lyddiard recently while serving with RTF 3 in Afghanistan. Although we are operating in different theatres, incidents such as these are always felt heavily across deployed units and the heart felt wished of all members of TLBG 3 go out to RTF 3, SGT Lyddiard and his family.
Our ROCL plan will commence early next month when families will start to enjoy a short period of reunion with spouses, partners and loved ones. Longer term, we've also commenced planning for Christmas festivities in country. You can see some other events from East Timor at the following web pages: 
http://www.defence.gov.au/opastute/
and http://www.armyintownsville.net/
TLBG 3 was fortunate to host a recent visit from the CDF, Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston, and the Secretary of the Department, Mr Nick Warner. In his address to the soldiers, the CDF passed on his personal thanks to the families of all members of TLBG 3 for their ongoing support and sacrifice which comes with any deployment of this nature. He understood that we ask a lot of our families as soldiers are inevitably absent for birthdays, anniversaries and other significant family days in the service of their country. I echo the CDF's words completely.
I hope you find this newsletter useful and informative.
TLBG Update 13 Nov 2007
A local takes a high vantage point down on Dili's beach |
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A local takes a high vantage point down on Dili's beach |
Captain Buchannan shows the strain at a recent introduction Physical Training session into rifle exercises at Camp Phoenix, Timor Leste. |
Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston talks to a Bravo Company soldier on a recent visit to the Heliport base, Timor Leste. |
Commanding Officer of the Timor Leste Battle Group 3, LTCOL Ben James, addresses the troops during this years Remembrance Day ceremony. |
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Members of the Military Police run through training drills with their working dogs at the Heliport Base, Timor Leste. |
Private Long, Reconnaissance Platoon Timor Leste Battle Group 3, conducts rappelling drills at Camp Phoenix in preparation for live helicopter insertions. |
Update 1 November 2007
Battlegroup Samichon has quickly settled into the conduct of operations here in East Timor after a successful relief in place with Timor Leste Battlegroup 2. We have already seen some measurable improvements in the security situation due to the hard work of the soldiers to date. B Company has conducted some very successful operations around central Dili which has seen a significant reduction in violence in this area. A particularly pleasing outcome of these operations has been the re-opening of a school in the area now that the security situation has improved. Further to the East of the country, Battlegroup Samichon engineers have carried out a power of work in re-building a school which was recently handed back to the local villagers. Delta Company soldiers have continued the excellent work of our predecessors in assisting with English language classes at a local college. Our tech support platoon has been fantastic in reducing the backlog of maintenance work on our vehicles - the key to our ability to move about our considerable area of operations. Every day, our soldiers can witness steady improvements in the lives of East Timorese as a result of their hard work.
I couldn't be more proud of the way our soldiers have applied themselves to become intimately familiar with their environment. Most (though not all) have access to the internet and welfare phones and I would hope by now that families and loved ones have had some personal contact with their partners. I hope that those of you who managed to see the DVD we were able to send back recently enjoyed getting a feel for operating conditions over here.
I know SGT Ashley Barker is working hard back in Townsville to convey information to family and friends who want to be kept abreast of events here in East Timor. I hope the information we provide to this website will assist in that endeavour.
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First Update Message from CO
TLBG 1st Update
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Group weapon PT at Camp Phoenix, Dili |
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Hardened Sentry Tower at Camp Chauvel, Dili. |
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Landscape along road between Baucau and Viqueque. |
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PTE Taylor from D Coy checking his map during routine stop on patrol in Dili. |
Pre-deployment
Soldiers of Timor Leste Battle Group 3, Battle Group Samichon, have now concluded their force preparation, have been formally farewelled from the mounting base and have commenced pre-deployment leave prior to commencing operations in East Timor early in October. Battle Group Samichon is a diverse group comprising over 600 people from 33 different Army units. TLBG 3 represents the first deployment for almost 25% of the Battle Group. We've worked particularly hard to confirm and promulgate deployment dates for all members of the Battle Group and family and friends should now be aware of what date our soldiers will be departing Australia. For those soldiers undertaking a 6 month deployment, Relief Out of Country Leave has also been confirmed and families should be aware of when their partners will be back in Australia for a 'mid-deployment break'.
I am very keen for families of all soldiers of TLBG 3 to remain informed of our progress while deployed in East Timor. We are fortunate to have a TLBG 3 Welfare, SGT Ashley Barker, who will oversee support to the families of TLBG 3 soldiers while we are deployed. I would encourage all families and friends of TLBG 3 soldiers to stay in touch with SGT barker and let him know of any specific functions or contact you would like with us throughout the deployment. We'll do our best to accommodate your wishes within our resources.
B.N. JAMES
LTCOL
CO 2 RAR
14 Sep 2007
Pre-deployment Training in 2 RAR
TLBG Pre-Deployment
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CO TLBG 3, LTCOL Ben James, promotes PTE Dean Farrajota, D Coy, during the TLBG 3 Mission Rehearsal Exercise. |
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CPL Luke McDonald, A Coy TLBG 3, assists at a vehicle accident site during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise. |
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PTE Mathew Bennet, D Coy TLBG 3, practices questioning detainees during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise. |
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TLBG 3 soldiers practice powers of arrest and detention during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise at High Range Training Area; 3-7 Sep 07. |