Op Spire comes to end
Timor-Leste is a much better place now, WGCDR says

By CPL Damian Shovell

CPL Randall Smith, of 323HSF, FLTLT Michael Lumsden-Steel, of 3CSH and WGCDR Andrew Ormsby display their UN medals after the final UNMISET medal parade in Timor-Leste on May 19.

Photo by CPL Damian Shovell

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* The UN peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste concluded on May 20. All ADF UNMISET personnel are expected home by June 24..

AFTER almost six years of UN peacekeeping missions in Timor-Leste, the last armed operation closed on May 20.

The end of the UN mission of support in Timor-Leste (UNMISET) coincided with the third anniversary of the country’s independence and made way for the UN’s transition to a reduced and unarmed political mission, the UN Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL), which will further assist the nation’s move towards self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

Wing Commander Andrew Ormsby, aeromedical evacuation liaison officer for UNMISET, said lots had changed in the country since his first time there during Interfet on D+7 to coordinate medivac in and out of the country.

Back then, in 1999, he saw thousands of troops on the ground patrolling among the burning buildings and devastation.

Now, “the main thing I’ve noticed is there is a lot more productive activity”.

“Dili is a far more thriving town now – there is a lot more activity and business happening,” he said.

“People are getting on with their lives. The whole infrastructure of the place has come on in leaps and bounds since I was here last. It’s still a country in its infancy, but a lot has improved in terms of infrastructure and the general feelings you receive from the people.”

The Australian national commander in Timor-Leste, Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Cox, said the ADF’s contribution to UNMISET has been significant. The follow-on mission will involve 14 military training advisers focused on knowledge and skills transfer initiatives.

He said with more than 120 ADF personnel currently deployed to UNMISET, his focus was now on the extraction of personnel and equipment, while still providing some support to the 1200 personnel from other UN contingents until
they depart.

He said the forward operating base at Moleana would be gifted to the Timor-Leste government on June 15 for use as an agricultural college.

LTCOL Cox expected the last Op Spire troops to return to Australia on June 24.

Several celebrations have been held to signify the end of UNMISET, including a UN medal parade and a final UNMISET parade on May 19 at Dili’s Obrigado Barracks where Timor-Leste president Xanana Gusmão and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Sukehiro Hasegawa farewelled the UN peacekeepers.

Defence will remain engaged with Timor-Leste over the long term through the defence cooperation program, aimed at helping the country develop a sustainable defence force that contributes to national and regional security.

The ongoing program involves 24 ADF personnel providing training and advice to the Timor-Leste Defence Force – currently Australia’s second-largest defence cooperation program.

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