Diligent duty

By CPL Andrew Hetherington
Volume 48, No. 12, July 13, 2006

ON GUARD: ADG CPL Scott Ryan keeps a close eye on security at Dili International Airport. Photo by CPL Andrew Hetherington.

AIR FORCE Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs) have been busy providing around the clock security for Dili’s international airport.

SQNLDR Mike Krause, CO of the ADG unit based at Dili airport in Timor Leste, said the unit’s main role is to provide force protection to the airfield.

“The unit forms a part of the force protection element at Dili airport. We also provide security to any ADF assets based here, including aircraft,” he said.

SQNLDR Krause said there are a considerable number of personnel working in the ADG team and they also have 10 canine friends attached to the unit to assist them in their daily routine.

“Working with the working dogs and their handlers has been an excellent experience. They are from 382 ECSS Amberley and 386 ECSS Richmond.

“We have 62 members from the Airfield Defence Wing, with personnel from 1 and 3 Airfield Defence Squadrons (AFDS), with the majority coming from 2AFDS,” he said.
One member of the ADG team who is enjoying his deployment so far is CPL Scott Ryan from 2AFDS Amberley.

“We have been very busy and our shifts vary,” he said.

“We have been conducting screening operations, patrolling through local villages and around the airfield, manning vehicle check points, providing security for the hardstand around the aircraft and general security at the airport.

“Our shift tasking changes every few days. For example, if we patrol all night, during the day we would conduct an observation post, with periods of six hours on and four hours off. This deployment is going well for me, I love it.”

SQNLDR Krause said he was very happy with the way the ADGs have been performing their job so far, but he did not know how long the unit would continue to work in Timor Leste.

“I am proud of the effort that the guys have put in and still continue to put in to maintain the security of the airport,” he said.

“Just because not much is happening does not mean that nothing will happen, so the task for us is to maintain a posture of vigilance day after day, so we can maintain an airport that will continue to be operational.

“In the future we want to see this airfield operated by the East Timorese people for Timor Leste. We will be here for as long as it takes to get the job to get done.”

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