Image Gallery 2008
14 May 2008
Timor-Leste Aviation Group
The Timor-Leste Aviation Group (TLAG) is a vital part of the ISF and conducts operations ranging from security overwatch and reconnaissance, to ferrying patrols into remote localities and emergency medical evacuations for people in urgent need of life saving medical attention. The Black Hawk and Iroquois helicopters operate around the clock on a needs basis.
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.
| 20080513adf8262658_053 Private Paul Woods, a petroleum operator, moves under the rotors of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois Helicopter from 3 Squadron, as the Loadmaster takes the fire extinguisher. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080513adf8262658_099 Private Paul Woods, a Petroleum Operator, waits to help Trooper Eric Pere, as he leaves under the rotor blades of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois Helicopter from 3 Squadron, after a hot refuel. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080513adf8262658_247 Corporal Rob Dench, 47 from Townsville, raises morale with a home-made (Timor-Leste Aviation Group) TLAG Flag outside the Operations buildings at Dili Airport. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080513adf8262658_263 5th Aviaton Regiment B Squadron Loadmaster, Trooper Cameron Smith, starts to unload buckets of paint out of his Black Hawk helicopter, at Dili Airport, Timor-Leste. The Black hawk crew carried the 160 litres of paint on its return flight from maintenance at RAAF Base Darwin for a special purpose. Members of the Timor-Leste Aviation Group recently discovered that the village of Darlau in a high ridge above Dili had just completed a new concrete church. However they did not have any money to paint it, so members of the International Stabilisation Force raised $700 for the paint which was sold to the soldiers in Darwin at cost price. There was still a shortfall of over $300 which was donated by members of an NGO visiting from Perth. Soon members of the ISF will paint the church and our engineers will make the pews. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080513adf8262658_271 Private Paul Woods, 27 from Townsville, a Petroleum Operator, waits for his other team members to get in place before starting a cold refuel on a Black Hawk helicopter. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080513adf8262658_293 Trooper Eric Pere, 25 from Townsville, waits for his team members to begin pumping aviation turbine fuel into a Black Hawk Helicopter at Dili Airport, Timor-Leste. (Date taken: 13 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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