Force team leaves Timor-Leste

By Cpl Damian Shovell

THE final three Air Force members to serve on the armed peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste have returned to Australia, completing an Air force commitment to returning peace to the nation that began with landing the first C130 load of troops in 1999.

The three members were the last of six Air Force personnel posted to the Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) team supporting the UN mission in Timor-Leste (UNMISET) that ended on May 20.

Their staggered return to Australia was completed on June 19, only days after Australia completed its final official function of handing over the Forward Operating Base at Moleana, and precluded the departure of the last remaining Australian armed peacekeepers on June 24.

Flight Lieutenant Matthew Valentine, from No. 3 Combat Support Hospital, Sydney, was left in charge of the team in the final days of the mission.

The team had remained in Timor-Leste to provide an AME capability until each contingent departed.

The team also provided a limited support to the Timorese civilian population during their tour, but FLTLT Valentine said this was confined mainly to obstetric-related emergencies.

“The UN has reduced the Timorese reliance on us, otherwise when we left, there could have been a void left [in their AME capability].”

To alleviate this, the AME team provided training and support to staff at the Dili National Hospital in AME procedures, using Russian MI-8 helicopters remaining in Dili.

FLTLT Valentine said this training, along with the donation of surplus medical equipment that included patient monitors and defibrillators, would help Timor-Leste to continue to conduct AME.

“They are continuously improving their medical facilities, they’ve got a long way to go, but they’re making progress and they’ve got a lot of good people working with them.”

The three Air Force members said the fact they were the last Air Force members in country wasn’t initially realised, as they felt entirely integrated into the Australian contingent.

“I guess it’s special to be the last three Air Force members on the ground – it’s something no one else will get to do,” FLTLT Valentine said.

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