Image Gallery 2006
22 November 2006
Minister for Defence visits troops in Timor-Leste
Operation ASTUTE is the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace to their country.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed to Timor-Leste with a mission to assist the Government and the United Nations to bring stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.
Following a general improvement in the security situation and the establishment of a comprehensive commercial logistic support contract, logistic elements of the ADF no longer required for these duties have returned to Australia, leaving about 925 ADF personnel in Timor-Leste. This force will remain in Timor-Leste continuing to provide a robust response capability to support the International Police.
International police from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) from Portugal, provide security in Dili. The ADF provides support to these police operations as required.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is working alongside the ADF to assist with this mission.
| 20061120adf8239716_004 Minister for Defence,The Honourable Doctor Brendan Nelson speaks with Corporal Scott West (6RAR) during dinner at the Heliport. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061120adf8239716_007 Minister for Defence, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson speaks to the men of Alpha Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at the Heliport at sunset. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061120adf8239716_010 Minister for Defence, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson presents a New Zealand hand-carved traditional war club consigned by the New Zealand contingent on Operation ASTUTE to be awarded to the winning section of the Skill At Arms competition. The winner was Alpha Company from 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. (L-R) Private B Clarke, Private S Nolan, Private D Gibson, Private S Cadzow, (with trophy) Section Commander Corporal A Hughes, Private K Leong, Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson, Section 2IC Lance Corporal D Johnson, Private L Downing and Private D Robinson. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061120adf8239716_019 Minister for Defence, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson and Land Commander Australia, Major General Mark Kelly meet ANZAC Battle Group's Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class 1 "Max Walker" at the airport in Dili on their arrival to Timor-Leste for a visit with Joint Task Force 631 personnel and government officials. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061120adf8239716_021 Minister for Defence, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson meets with the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Ms Margaret Twomey on his arrival at Dili airport for a visit with Government officials and the Joint Task Force 631 personnel. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061121adf8239716_001 Military Police (L-R) Corporal Russell Iliff , Minister for Defence The Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson, Warrant Officer Class 2 Micheal Cracknall and Captain Nathan Pierpoint provided personnal protection for the Minister. The Land Commander Australia, Major General Mark Kelly, also joined the entourage on a visit to Timor-Leste to meet with personel from Joint Task Force 631 and government officials. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061121adf8239716_006 The Minister for Defence,The Honourable Doctor Brendan Nelson and Captain Guy Barnard ,Contract Management Cell, Health Section.( 2 Health Support Battalion) posed for a photo after Captain Barnard show the Minister through the Resusitation Bay at Aspen hospital in Dili Timor - Leste. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061121adf8239716_009 Minister for Defence,The Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson addresses the troops of Operation ASTUTE, Joint Task Force 631at Camp Phoenix, Dili, Timor-Leste. Watching on is (L-R) Sergeant Jason Porter, Sergeant Russell Saffron and Major Paul Stanton from the ANZAC Battle Group. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061121adf8239716_012 Minister for Defence,The Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson speaks to the troops after he shared a breakfast with them at Camp Phoenix, Dili, Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061120adf8239716_012 Minister for Defence, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson arrives at Dili Airport to visit with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Joint Task Force 631 personnel. Land Commander Australia, Major General Mark Kelly also visited the troops. (Date taken: 21 November 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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