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Gunners on patrol
The soldiers of Golf Coy with the Anzac Battle Group in Timor-Leste are taking the patrolling of Dili’s streets in their stride, as Flt-Lt Lauretta Webster reports. Photos by AB Kade Rogers
Edition 1172, August 9, 2007 |
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| Cooling your heels: Pte Rhys Clout takes a break while patrolling the streets of Dili. |
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| Sharp shooter: Gnr Thomas Peloe takes a moment to talk to locals and shoot some pool during a patrol. |
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| Downtown: Gnr Thomas Peloe and Pte John Orchard patrol through one of Dili’s busy market centres. |
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AFTER three months in the sweltering tropical heat, gunners from 107 Bty, 4 Fd Regt, continue their mission on Dili’s streets to bring stabilisation to Timor-Leste.
Conducting daily patrols through various areas of the capital, from the southern perimeter to the northern coastal boundary, the gunners – who form Golf Coy of the Anzac Battle Group – are doing their bit to help ease the level of fear among the Timorese people.
OC Golf Coy Maj Grant Cassar praised the dedication of the gunners and how, despite the routine of low-level operations, they maintain vigilance at all times.
“There is such a potential in this environment for the situation to go from being completely benign to utter chaos very quickly,” he said.
“This constant threat keeps the blokes focused so they never become complacent.
“The junior leaders – the bombardiers – do a top job in keeping their sections motivated.”
The tasks conducted by Golf Coy include patrols around the streets of Dili, some up to six hours long, security pickets and quick reaction force duty.
These tasks are on a rotational basis, which is another reason why the gunners maintain a continuous sense of alertness.
During their downtime, Golf Coy members work up a sweat in the gym, or contact loved ones back home using the internet or welfare phones.
“Due to the shiftwork nature of life over here, and the fact you are confined to a forward operating base when not on task, means the outlets that allow the blokes to sweat it out, shop on the internet or phone home are great resources for relaxation,” Maj Cassar said.
He said good food also played an important part.
“Getting well-prepared fresh rations is vital when working long, arduous and sometimes tedious hours,” he said.
“The effect these services and facilities can have on morale cannot be underestimated.”
With another three to four months still to complete the operation, Maj Cassar said that the gunners continued to cope very well.
“The Golf Coy blokes are a tough bunch. They take things in their stride with a bit of a sense of humour. The guys are keenly aware of the role they play here, the role of facilitation and helping the Timorese get back on track.”
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