Image Gallery 2006
30 May 2006
Latest images from Operation ASTUTE
The Australian Defence Force operation to support the people of Timor-Leste entered its fifth day on 29 May 2006 with around 2000 ADF personnel deployed either on the ground or with supporting air and naval elements.
The situation on the ground in Dili remained dangerous. Armed groups continued to destroy property and threaten people. Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian troops were responding with appropriate force.
A strong Australian presence had been established in and around Dili with 1300 ground troops conducting security operations.
A robust logistics and support network comprising over 1000 personnel located in Darwin, Townsville and Sydney was supporting the deployed force.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Houston, said the rapid deployment of this large ground force was a remarkable achievement.
"It highlights the professionalism and adaptability of our people and the high degree of readiness of our Defence force," he said.
"Australian forces are now working closely with the Timorese Government, the Timor-Leste Defence Force and other deployed forces to continue to stabilise the security situation on the ground and facilitate the separation of the various conflicting groups back into safe and secure locations."
| 20060528ran8098578_008 HMAS Manoora lies at anchor off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE as plumes of smoke rise into the air from fires in the city. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_032 Soldiers from 3 CER (3 Combat Engineer Regiment) wait in the tank deck onboard HMAS Tobruk to board a landing craft which will take them ashore to Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_039 Heaving lines are thrown over to HMAS Balikpapan for a stern door marriage as HMAS Tobruk lies at anchor off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_042 Heaving lines are pulled into HMAS Balikpapan while a stern door marriage is conducted as HMAS Tobruk lies at anchor off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_051 Members from the SAD (Ships Army Department) conduct craning operations as they unload vehicles onto a LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) as it rafts up alongside HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_053 A LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) conducts a stern door marriage with HMAS Tobruk as it loads a Unimog truck to take ashore to Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_063 HMAS Balikpapan under way off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_073 A Medical Perentie Land Rover is craned over to HMAS Balikpapan from HMAS Tobruk to be ferried to Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_085 Army Black Hawk helicopters fly over Comoro air field as smoke plumes rise into the air from Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_087 A LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) experiences choppy seas as it makes an approach for a stern door marriage to HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_088 A LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) experiences choppy seas as it makes an approach for a stern door marriage to HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_089 A crew member of a LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) passes back signals to the boats coxswain for an approach of a stern door marriage to HMAS Tobruk in choppy seas off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_093 HMAS Balikpapan under way with troops and vehicles off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_097 A RAAF C-130H Hercules takes off from Comoro Air Field at Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_108 A LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) passes the flight control tower of Comoro Airport at Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_110 An Army Black Hawk helicopter approaches HMAS Manoora for a landing on her flight deck while the statue of Jesus watches over the city of Dili, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_125 Members from the SAD (Ships Army Department) onboard HMAS Tobruk off load vehicles and equipment onto the wharf at Dili Harbour, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_129 Members from the SAD (Ships Army Department) onboard HMAS Tobruk off load vehicles and equipment onto the wharf at Dili Harbour, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_145 A Perentie Land Rover is off loaded onto the wharf from HMAS Tobruk at Dili Harbour, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060528ran8098578_154 Soldiers from 3 CSSB (3 Combat Service Support Battalion) wait on the wharf while other vehicles are off loaded from HMAS Tobruk at Dili Harbour, Timor-Leste, during Operation ASTUTE. (Date taken: 28 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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