Image Gallery 2008
03 April 2008
Soldiers thanked for service in Timor
Invited dignitaries awarded Timor-Leste Battle Group soldiers with their Australian Service Medal (ASM) at the Force Extraction Centre in Dili after completion of their six-month deployment toTimor-Leste.
Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Gutteres thanked the International Stabilisation Force for its contribution to the stability of the country and invited its members to return one day to see a new Timor.
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.
There are approximately 1000 ADF personnel currently serving in Timor-Leste. This force will remain in Timor-Leste continuing to provide a robust response capability to support the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Police force.
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.
| 20080401adf8239716_013 Incoming Timor-Leste Battle Group 4, (3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment) Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Wade Stothart (left) is met by the current Battle Group Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben James (Timor Leste Battle Group-3) (centre) and current Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Scott Wasson, at the airport in Dili Timor- Leste. The official handover will take place on the 8th April 2008. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080401adf8239716_065 (L-R) From the Timor-Leste Joint Operations Command Colonel Filomeno Paixao, Australian Ambassador toTimor-Leste Mr Peter Heyward,Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Gutteres and International Stabilisation Force Commander Brigadier James Baker. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080401adf8239716_066 Timor-Leste Battle Group 3 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben James addresses his troops, thanking them for their work while passing on his gratitude to all the families who have supported each member on this deployment to Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080401adf8239716_067 Timor-Leste Joint Operations Commander Colonel Filomeno Paixao awards Private Richard Voute with his Australian Service Medal (ASM) at the Force Extraction Centre in Dili after completion of his six-month deployment toTimor-Leste. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080401adf8239716_068 Australian Ambassador toTimor-Leste Mr Peter Heyward presents Timor-Leste Battle Group 3 soldiers with their Australian Service Medal (ASM) at the Force Extraction Centre in Dili at the completion of their six-month deployment toTimor-Leste. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080401adf8239716_072 Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Gutteres presents Lance Corporal Joshua Elmore with his Australian Service Medal (ASM) at the Force Extraction Centre in Dili after completion of his six-month deployment toTimor Leste. (Date taken: 01 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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