Our People in SA
ROB LITCHFIELD - MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN EAST TIMOR
Craftsman Litchfield, normally serving with the Adelaide-based 16 th Air Defence Regiment, is currently serving with the ANZAC Battle Group in East Timor . For Craftsman Litchfield and his colleagues, their work in Dili has seen them taking on the role of infantrymen, patrolling the streets to provide a strong security presence through liaison with the local communities.
These presence patrols have been designed to rebuild confidence among the local population by reassuring them that there is security and they can go about their daily business without fear.
Craftsman Litchfield, who has been in the Army for four years and is on his first operational deployment, said the patrols provided a great opportunity to get out and meet the locals face to face, get to know them and let them know what they are doing.
He said the reception by the locals had been really positive - particularly from the children.
"I'm enjoying making a difference here," Craftsman Litchfield said.
The patrols have been a new challenge for the soldiers, with them working in small teams on in Dili's streets.
The soldiers also conduct searches for illegal weapons in an effort to reduce the availability.
Craftsman Litchfield said there had been many challenges during his time in Timor Leste, particularly adapting to the heat and seeing the large amount of poverty.
He said he'll be looking forward to a break and catching up with his family when he gets home, and marrying his finance.
"We we're meant to get married in late last year, but had to postpone the wedding because I came over here," he said.
Craftsman Litchfield is one of about 1000 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in East Timor as part of Operation Astute, the Australian Government response to the Timorese Government request for assistance in restoring peace to their country.
The Australians, as part of the International Stablisation Force, are assisting the Government of Timor Leste and the United Nations Police to provide a secure environment in which the country can conduct its first independent presidential and parliamentary elections since independence.