Pte Byron Ashman, A Coy, 5/7RAR is farewlled by his girlfriend Nicola Kennair from Wantirna, Victoria, after the A Coy formation parade. Photo by Sgt David Pang, 1JPAU(P)

RESERVE soldiers forming A Coy go on to train with the rest of 5/7RAR in Darwin ahead of their operational deployment to East Timor.

OC A Coy Maj Mick Sasse said morale was high and that the soldiers were keen to get stuck into their pre-deployment training.

"There are some nerves and that's really a case of their not having been there before and they're not quite sure of what to expect," he said.

"They've gone through the normal process of tying up loose ends and saying good-byes before leaving and now I think they're looking forward much more than looking back."

Pte Byron Ashman said it was a tough decision to accept the length of separation from his girlfriend for his service in East Timor.

"It sort of went back and forth between yes and no for a while but Nicola has been very understanding," he said.

Girlfriend Nicola Kennair said there were a lot of supports in place, which made her feel a little better about the situation.

"There are facilities to talk to him on the phone, for example, and he'll spend some time in Darwin before he leaves the country, which makes him seem closer," she said.

"I'm not really scared about what might happen to him - they've sent troops before and they've all come back fine - so it's more about missing him."

By Cpl Jonathan Garland