Farewell… CDRE Robertson and MAJGEN Cosgrove in HMAS JERVIS BAY leave Dili. Defence cameraman ABPH Brad Cone catches the moment.

Interfet Commander, Major General Peter Cosgrove, and Naval Component Commander, CDRE Brian Robertson, left East Timor on February 23 in the RAN's fast catamaran HMAS JERVIS BAY concluding Australia's largest overseas deployment since the Vietnam War.

In company with HMAS MELBOURNE (CMDR Andy Gough) both vessels quickly gathered speed to a steady 30 knots as an impressive array of aircraft flew in formation low overhead in acknowledgment of the historic occasion. MELBOURNE's Seahawk also took the opportunity to join in, adding another flavour to the occasion.

Many of Interfet's fixed wing (including the workhorse C130s and Caribous) and rotary wing aircraft (Blackhawks, Iroquois and a Kiowa) turned out in force flying low over the departing ships. Bringing up the rear were 10 Army Blackhawks of 5 Aviation, which swooped over JERVIS BAY and MELBOURNE as they left.

Several miles out JERVIS BAY left MELBOURNE in her wake as she neared full speed on her 12-hour homeward voyage to Darwin.

Interfet's historic mission to restore "peace and security" to the troubled province was voted an overwhelming success with General Cosgrove receiving numerous accolades from the UN chief administrator, Mr Sergio Viera de Mello, and CNRT leaders, Mr Xanana Gusmao and Mr Jose Ramos Horta.

Mr Gusmao said that Interfet's mission and General Cosgrove would become forever part of East Timorese history.

"We thank you personally and we thank all Interfet from our hearts. When the children of our nation learn of the sacrifices made by all of our martyrs they will learn also of the role of Interfet."

By LCDR Steve Dunning