Image Gallery 2006
31 May 2006
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. Within its deployment of less than a week, the Joint Task Force has confiscated more than 450 weapons and 15,000 rounds of ammunition.
Although there was still tension between rival East Timorese groups, reports of violence have dropped from 72 reported incidents on 28 May to only five reports of violence on 29 May.
A strong Australian presence was 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 is 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.
| 20060530adf8161479_015 People from the community of Dili wait in line for food distribution. Each day thousands of bags of rice are provided to families by the international humanitarian relief operation in Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_018 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_022 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_024 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_027 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_029 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_030 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_045 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_068 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_070 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_075 Corporal Antonio Goncalues from Delta Company 3rd Royal Australian Regiment 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_083 Private Patrick Hopkins, a medic from Townsville who is currently attached to the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_097 Corporal Antonio Goncalues checks the identification of a local while Major Shane Nicoll maintains security. Both soldiers are from Delta Company 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_098 Corporal Antonio Goncalues checks the identification of a local while Major Shane Nicoll searches a him for weapons. Both soldiers are from Delta Company 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_103 Australian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_105 Sergeant Darren Andrews watches local youths about to be searched for weapons, while Lieutenant Margaret Nichols maintains security. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_108 Corporal Antonio Goncalues searches a local youth while Sergeant Darren Andrews maintains security. Both soldiers are from the 3rd Battalion Group. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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| 20060530adf8161479_114 Sergeant Darren Andrews from the 3rd Battalion Group arrive in a Dili street to quell an outbreak of violence. (Date taken: 30 May 2006) low-res | high-res |
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