No time for coffee

From Capt Nic Smith in East Timor

Pte Joe Lundy, Pioneer Assault Pl, helps build roads. Photo by Pte Duncan Carter

A team of seven soldiers from the Assault Pioneer Platoon in the AUSBATT is playing their part in the reconstruction of the world’s newest nation of East Timor.

The regimental combat construction and assault demolition team is commanded by Cpl Jon Hadaway and is presently located on the side of a mountain within Ermera Province in central East Timor.

They have been working around the clock to improve the main access route between Gleno and Moleana.

The high mountain pass is in the middle of East Timor’s coffee growing districts and is a vital trade route for East Timor.

One of the pioneers, Pte Joe Lundy, said he was well prepared for the deployment.

“The training we conducted prior to deploying has put us in good stead for the work we are doing now,” he said.
“This is my second tour of East Timor. It is heartening to see the country developing and it is great to have been a part of this.”

Around the clock operations have been hard on the soldiers, but the rewards are clearly visible.

Over the few days that construction has been under way, there has been an increase the flow traffic over the pass and it is clear that commerce has begun to flow.

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