Media Room: Media Releases

Members of Darwin’s 1^ST Combat Engineer Regiment and the 1^st Combat Service Support Battalion deployed to Operation Spire in East Timor today.

Operation Spire is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the UN Peace Keeping Force in East Timor.

Fifteen personnel were farewelled from Darwin today. The main body of fifty troops from 1st Brigade will follow next week.

"The troops will have a very important role providing support services to the military component of the UN Mission," Commanding Officer of 1^st Combat Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Cumming said.

The range of tasks will include building and repairing infrastructure, logistics and contracting services.

"Darwin soldiers have been closely involved with East Timor since 1999 and our troops are keen to continue to do a good job to support this important mission."

Defence Media Liaison 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664