Our People in NSW
Ryan Greene - Ryan plies his trade in Dili
NARROMINE’S Ryan Greene is over the moon to ply his trade in a hot and humid Timor Leste on operations for the Australian Defence Force.
The 33-year-old Department of Defence Graphic Designer, is currently posted to the Joint Task Force in Dili with 5th Combat Engineer Regiment as a member of the engineer detachment.
The former St John’s College Dubbo student and son of Barry and Patrice Greene of Tanilisa Bay is on his first operational deployment to the Timorese capital after joining the Army Reserve in 2005.
“I have seriously enjoyed doing my job for real rather than just training for it,” he said.
“As a Corporal in the Combat Engineers it is my job to provide support to the Timor Leste Task Group and carry out demolition as well as repairs to various parts of forward operating bases for things like wiring and making shelters. I have especially enjoyed working at the re-transmission (radio) site as well as working up in the mountains – I also took a chopper ride up there which was cool!”
Ryan joined the ADF to “do something good for his country” and follows his grandparents and father’s footsteps into the Australian Army.
“Both of my grandfathers and grandmother served in the Army in World War II, and my father served in the Army in Vietnam as an infantry stretcher bearer with 1 RAR and 5 RAR.
“There are a few things that really stand out for me. I’ll never forget flying to and from Atauro Island and driving from the retransmission (radio) site in the mountains. Most importantly, the way the kids’ faces light up and wave when they see us. It’s pretty cool to see our predecessors have been great ambassadors for us and the Timorese love having us here,” said Ryan.
In his spare time Ryan likes to hit the gym, take a bike ride around the base, boxing training and play video games.
He is looking forward to getting home and seeing his mate “Luffy” the dog, having a beer with his brother while fishing in the tinny, listening to music and being able to wear shorts and thongs.
“I am joining the Australian Regular Army when I get home in February and it’ll be just in time to cheer on the Waratahs and Parramatta Eels.”
Timor Leste began an exciting new chapter in its history when the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) ceased security operations on 22 November.
After more than six years of supporting the Timor Leste security forces, the ISF role has changed to the redeployment of its people and equipment to Australia and New Zealand.
ISF troops started to depart Timor Leste in late November and bases will be remediated for handover by mid-2013.