Adelaide provides ‘visible presence’

 

STANDBY: Adelaide off Timor-Leste.

Volume 49, No. 12, July 13, 2006

By LCDR Brian Chase

In the weeks leading up to being ordered to Timor-Leste, HMAS Adelaide was on Operation Relex duties and very few of the crew thought they would be sent to the strife-torn country.

But by the time the ship visited Darwin on May 12, rumours abounded.

Adelaide’s crew knew something was in the wind with the arrival of the crew of Seahawk “Tiger 76” a few days later. Also onboard were personnel from 11 Brigade, the ship’s Transit Security Platoon (TSP) for Relex duties.

The order for Adelaide to move came on May 23. The ship “upped-revs” and headed for Timor-Leste at full speed to take up a position off the coast.

On May 25, the ship was ordered to Dili in order to provide a visible presence, be prepared to conduct evacuations if necessary and to wait for the amphibious ships to arrive.

This visible presence required the ship to sail close inshore off Dili. With the Battle Ensign flying and all upperdeck armament loaded and manned, Adelaide looked menacing and was fully prepared for any eventuality. As the ship was well within small arms range, all exposed personnel and bridge staff wore body armour and kevlar helmets.

In Dili harbour, the sounds of sporadic gunfire could be heard.

The ship remained on station at Dili until May 28. By then the remaining ships had arrived and were landing their troops ashore. With the landing of the troops, Adelaide’s job was complete.

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