Operation ASTUTE: Image Gallery
25 December 2006
Christmas celebrations on Operation ASTUTE
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 800 ADF personnel in Timor-Leste. This force will remain in Timor-Leste continuing to provide a robust response capability to support the International Police.
Police from Australia and 24 other nations throughout the world 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.
| 20061221adf8246638_031 Thirteen members from Headquarters Joint Task Force 631 (HQ JTF 631) celebrated an early Christmas at a fun-filled Christmas party with around 20 children from the Fundasaun Hadom Timor Oan orphanage. The HQ JTF 631 members dug deep into their pockets and bought every child at the orphanage a Christmas present, which was distributed by Santa who made a surprise visit. (Date taken: 24 December 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20061221adf8246638_054 Thirteen members from Headquarters Joint Task Force 631 (HQ JTF 631) celebrated an early Christmas at a fun-filled Christmas party with around 20 children from the Fundasaun Hadom Timor Oan orphanage. The HQ JTF 631 members dug deep into their pockets and bought every child at the orphanage a Christmas present, which was distributed by Santa who made a surprise visit. Children: (L-R) Fransisca Araujo, Maria Cardoso, Torres Vidigal, Zenilda Dina, Lucia Nunes and Fidelia Siqueira. HQ JTF: (L-R) Captain Laura Cranston, Corporal David Pilgrim, Captain David Fagan, Major Sean Faulkner and Alison Kaine. (Date taken: 24 December 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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Sergeant Carol Sedgman from 22 Squadron Townsville singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve while deployed with Operation ASTUTE in Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 24 December 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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Members of the Joint Task Force Headquarters sing carols on Christmas Eve while deployed with Operation ASTUTE in Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 24 December 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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Captain Alison Kaine (1 Psych Unit) from Ulverstone, Tasmania, sings carols on Christmas Eve while deployed with Joint Task Force Headquarters, Operation ASTUTE Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 24 December 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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