Soldiers from the Recon P1 4RAR Bn Gp patrol out on the remotest areas within East Timor providing information to Battalion Headquarters. They insert by vehicle, helicopter or even foot. Patrol members rehearse for a mission later in the day. The infantry motto is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him and to seize and hold ground, regardless of season, weather or terrain. Photo by WO2 Gary Ramage.

Pilots and crews of the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment have wasted no time in settling into their new home in East Timor.

Based at Balibo in the far west of the country, a contingent of 52 pilots and crew has just begun a six-month tour of duty.

Working closely with the Fourth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, the four Black Hawk helicopters have been put through their paces, allowing crew to complete their theatre qualifications.

Conducted over a week, the training included working with the Sydney-based infantry soldiers rappelling from the Black Hawks at night and day.

Officer Commanding 5 Avn Regt, Major Anton Leskinskas, said while the pilot skills involved in the training were basic, there was a lot of co-ordination involved between pilots, air crew and the rapelling soldiers.

"For us, it's like taking the car for a run around the block," said Maj Leskinskas.

"We train regularly together back home, but this time we're doing it operationally and in different terrain.

"The main thing is to ensure everyone knows what they're doing on any given command."

For the unit they're working alongside, the 4th Battalion, the task may seem routine, but the training is anything but.

Prior to arriving in East Timor in mid-April, the Holsworthy-based commandos conducted an intensive series of buildup exercises, with a heavy emphasis on helicopter insertion.

"While our training was somewhat limited in terms of time, we spent every spare minute we could working with the Blackhawks," said the OC of 4RAR Administration Company, Major John Liddy.

"We did all our preliminary training in Sydney, which saved us time in travelling to Townsville and gave us more hours in the choppers."

While in East Timor, the airborne commandos will provide 30 members as a reconnaissance platoon, operating partially from the choppers.

"Not all of our work in the air," said Maj Liddy. "Most of it is conducting patrols on foot. We only use the choppers when we have to do insertions in areas that are too difficult to walk into. And the only time we rappel in and out is when the choppers can't land. In the case up here, that is a great deal of the time."

By Maj Greg Smith