Our People in SA
GNR Daniel Green - PARAFIELD GARDENS SOLDIER BRINGS PEACE TO DILI STREETS
Daniel, an artillery Gunner with the Townsville-based 4th Field Regiment, is currently serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force in Timor-Leste. For Daniel and his gunner mates, 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.
Daniel, who joined the Army in 2004, is on his second tour of duty to Timor , and has become accustomed with the environment and enjoys interacting with the locals, made a bit easier by the fact that he has studied a bit of their language, Tetum.
"We are here to help bring peace and stabilisation to the country and to support the UN.
"Interacting with the locals in their language does have its advantages," Daniel said.
"They appear a bit more responsive sometimes and are generally quite happy to have a chat."
After joining the Army for a new career, Daniel notes that their role can be a bit repetitive but it's all worthwhile when you can see that you are making a difference.
"I was on patrol one night during a riot. That definitely got the heart racing, but the situation was appeased and no one was hurt. Always a good outcome and it felt to good to be able help out," Daniel said.
The soldiers also conduct searches for illegal weapons in an effort to reduce their availability.
On returning to Australia later this year, Daniel looks forward to catching up with his family and friends and getting back into his hobbies, which include music and martial arts.
Daniel is one of about 1100 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 Stabilisation 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.