Dili handled with care

By MAJ James Baker
Volume 48, No. 18, October 05, 2006

SAFE AND SOUND: XO 382ECSS SQNLDR Iain White reunites with his wife Christine, son Jacob and daughter Ashleigh after arriving home at RAAF Base Richmond from Timor-Leste. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

PERSONNEL from 382ECSS are back in Australia after a job well done as the draw-down from Operation Astute continues.

Air Force involvement in the operation commenced in May as more than 50 members of 382ECSS deployed at 12 hours’ notice to Darwin. There, personnel from 1CCS, 44WG, 2AFDS and 1ATS joined them, and the unit was designated Task Group (TG) 631.4, with a strength of approximately 150 personnel.

The TG’s mission was to provide an Evacuation Handling Centre (EHC) for non-combatant evacuation operations, air traffic control, air terminal support and force protection.

After planning and pre-deployment training on May 25, squadron CO WGCDR Rob McKenzie and 14 members of TG 631.4 deployed on the first aircraft into Dili.

While the airfield was secured, the EHC set to work. It quickly processed the first 54 Australian and approved foreign national evacuees from Timor and ensured they returned to Australia on the same aircraft.

Over the following seven days, the EHC staff processed 561 evacuees. Its staff worked a 24/7 routine and slept on the airport terminal floor as time permitted. They heard shocking stories from people being evacuated, and from others too frightened to remain in the country and trying to justify why they should be evacuated.

Later that week, the rest of TG 631.4 arrived in Timor to commence the stabilisation phase of the operation. During this time, the role of the ECSS was modified to include command and control of the 600 personnel-strong Airfield Point of Departure (APOD)-based elements, with WGCDR McKenzie appointed as APOD commander, and the provision of combat support services to units based at the APOD.

WGCDR McKenzie said that Op Astute provided the foundation upon which to base future ADF joint operations [of this type].

It was the first time that Air Force had conducted a “truly joint doctrinal role” in the support of airfield operations.

“The operation has ensured that the provision of combat support throughout the theatre has been of the highest order,” he said.

“The ability of the ECSS to integrate within the joint environment is testament to the professionalism, ingenuity and enthusiasm of the Task Group members.

“TG 631.4 performed superbly and, although comprising less than 10 per cent of the Task Force, the ECSS element has more than proved its capability as a provider of effective combat support in a joint environment.

“The warm welcome from the Timorese citizens and the obvious difference the Task Force has made to the country has ensured TG 631.4 members remain extremely proud of their country, their service and themselves.”

At the height of Astute, the ADF had about 3000 personnel deployed to Timor-Leste. However, as the security situation continued to improve and the focus shifted more towards police operations, increasing numbers of ADF personnel returned to Australia.

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