12 Pl where eagles fly

Pte Orzanski, No 1 Scout and Pte Collett, No 2 scout, on patrol in the market area of Letefhoho. Photo by Pte Duncan Carter, 1RAR

By Capt Nic Smith

1RAR continues to provide security to the world in East Timor.

12 Pl, from D Coy, 1RAR, is currently operating out of a patrol base in the district capital of Letefoho in East Timor.

Perched on the top of a mountain, Letefoho sports a majestic cathedral with a steeple of praying hands mounted on the roof.

Platoon commander, Lt Paul Mackenzie, has three sections and a total of 30 soldiers under his command.

On this patrol, Lt Mackenzie has sent his sections to different villages around Letefoho to clear the area of security threats.

They have been conducting a series of patrols, both vehicle mounted and on foot, covert and overt to identify and defeat external security threats and to provide assistance to the local East Timorese security services.

12 Pl has been working in close liaison with the local East Timorese Police Force in order to ensure that they are capable of maintaining their security after the AUSBATT has left.

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