Andy Hobbs in East Timor.

Andy Hobbs, is a long way from his hometown of West Pennant Hills in Sydney working as a linguist for the Australian led peacekeeping mission in East Timor.

As part of the INTERFET force stationed in the Oekussi enclave in West Timor, Andy is providing linguist support to the CO of the Australian "Ambeno" Force and the Civil Military Operations Centre.

Andy, a WO in the Royal Australian Navy, has been fluent in the East Timorese language of Bahasa since graduating from the Australian Defence Force School of Languages in 1988.

During his 25-year naval career, Andy has had two overseas postings that have utilised his linguistic abilities, including three years at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and two years at the Australian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

He was deposited in the Oekussi enclave, the poorest of the East Timor regions, by Blackhawk helicopter.
"This has been the most rewarding month of my career so far," he said.

"In the Navy we don't get to be operational ashore very often because we are always at sea.

"This has enabled me to have an in-depth look at humanitarian aid operations.

"I've also had the opportunity to travel all over the country by truck and aircraft.

"My job as a linguist is very varied due to the shortage of Bahasa speakers.

"One day I'll be doing basic translations or assisting with the unloading of stores, the next day I could be questioning a suspected member of the militia.

"So far I've been involved in the arrest of seven militia and the questioning of two.

"There was one incident here when a local group of East Timorese were beating a suspected militia man.

"The INTERFET forces rescued him from the angry mob, and although he was frightened he pleased to be in our hands."

WO Andy Hobbs is normally personnel officer at HMAS KUTTABUL in Potts Point, Sydney.