RSM 1RAR, WO1 Barry Vandenhurk hands the UN flag to RSM 6RAR, WO1 Kieran O'Brien. Photo by Flg-Off Simon Paton, MPA

One last handover

By Flg-Off Simon Paton
TROOPS from 6RAR have commenced the final Australian security operations on the western border regions of East Timor.

Since June 2003, 1RAR has been serving in East Timor as a component of the 3700 strong international peace-keeping effort.

This has included countries from the Philippines to Yugoslavia, Turkey, Brazil and Slovakia.

By the end of November over 850 Australian troops had left East Timor as the Australian contribution winds down.

6RAR will be undertaking their peacekeeping tasks on a considerably reduced scale. The total Australian contingent will shrink from 990 Australian defence personnel to approximately 440 troops from December 1, 2003.

The UNMISET mission is expected to conclude on June 30, 2004.

6RAR will provide a presence by patrolling along the border areas until May 2004.

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