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Smooth operators
By Cpl Corinne Boer

Edition 1164, April 19, 2007
 
Security duty: Gnr Josh Chamberlain (left) and Pte Rob Donlon, 16 AD Regt, stand guard at the front of the Electoral Commission Building in Dili. Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko
 
Salute: Sgt Glen White, 6RAR, and Sgt Michael Keefe, 1RAR, at the change of command parade.
Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
WHILE following in the footsteps of their predecessors, members of the second Anzac Battle Group are also making a mark of their own in Timor-Leste.

The troops have participated in a number of security operations within Dili and outside the regional areas since the handover from the 6RAR-led battle group to its replacement, which is spearheaded by 1RAR, on March 25.

The Anzac Battle Group’s CO, Lt-Col Andrew Gallaway, said the soldiers faced a dynamic mission to support the government of Timor-Leste and the UN Police (UNPOL).

“The situation in November last year is drastically different to the situation that we face today and what we’ll face in two months time,” Lt-Col Gallaway said.

“We are conducting operations that are appropriate to the circumstances and if they are slightly different to what 6RAR did then that’s because that particular situation is driving that.”

The Battle Group has maintained a presence with patrols through Dili and has also responded in support of UNPOL personnel faced with fights involving rocks and darts, or unrest among criminals and gangs.

The handover went well and the transition phase of the deployment went smoothly, according to Lt-Col Gallaway.

“At every level there was a handover with a counterpart no matter whether you were a section commander or the CO and 6RAR were very obliging with the information they provided,” he said.

With about 1000 personnel in Timor-Leste, the Battle Group consists of soldiers from units in Townsville, Sydney and Brisbane, including a small percentage of reservists.

Lt-Col Gallaway said the contingent had been generally well received by the locals.

“I’ve spent a fair bit of time on the streets of Dili and some of the areas we go into we’re welcomed extremely warmly and people are very happy to see us,” he said.

“In a minority of cases there are some places that we go into where the reception isn’t as friendly – it’s not hostile, it’s just not as warm and friendly as the other areas.”

He hoped the soldiers would form a relationship with the local community to better understand each other.

Lt-Col Gallaway has tasked each of the rifle companies with its own area of operations.

“We plan on playing sport with the youth here and coaching them and giving them an outlet for their time.

We want to get engaged in any of the community policing programs that UNPOL may initiate,” he said.

Lt-Col Gallaway offered his thanks for the continued support from the families of the soldiers as without this support his troops would not be able to do their job.