Image Gallery 2007
10 April 2007
Images from Operation ASTUTE
While the primary role of the Australian-led International Security Force (ISF) in East Timor is to assist the Government of Timor Leste and the United Nations Police provide security throughout the nation, some elements of the force have also been providing direct support to the current Presidential election (09 April) by ensuring even the most isolated communities are given their chance to vote.
Under the command of Lieutenant Bryce England, a Black Hawk helicopter from B Squadron of the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment was called upon (on Easter Sunday) to pre-position ballot papers for around 4000 isolated Timorese in the far east of the country after monsoonal rains prevented planned vehicle movement into the area.
Lieutenant England and his crew were required to pick up the ballot papers and their escort officers from Los Palos in the Lautem District and deliver them to the small village of Luro. On arrival in Luro, election officials had prepared porters and ponies to set out on delivery treks into the mountains to get the ballots to the voters.
Lieutenant England said his crew, including co-pilot Captain Ben Day and loadmasters Lance Corporal Mark Cooper and Trooper Darren Magor, we pleased to be able to play a small but important part in the Presidential election process.
| 20070408adf8095516_012 Captain Ben Day hands out Easter gifts to local children in the town of Los Palos in eastern Timor Leste. (Date taken: 08 April 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070408adf8095516_025 Lieutenant Bryce England hands out Easter gifts to local children in the town of Los Palos in eastern Timor Leste. (Date taken: 08 April 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070408adf8213520_005 The Government of Timor Leste and United Nations election officials work with Australian International Stabilisation Force troops to load a Blackhawk helicopter with vital ballots destined for some of the country’s most isolated polling stations in the eastern province of Lautem. (Date taken: 08 April 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070408adf8213520_009 The Government of Timor Leste and United Nations election officials work with Australian International Stabilisation Force troops to load a Blackhawk helicopter with vital ballots destined for some of the country’s most isolated polling stations in the eastern province of Lautem. (Date taken: 08 April 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070408adf8213520_011 The Government of Timor Leste and United Nations election officials work with Australian International Stabilisation Force troops to load a Blackhawk helicopter with vital ballots destined for some of the country’s most isolated polling stations in the eastern province of Lautem. (Date taken: 08 April 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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