Our People in SA
Paul Von Bertouch - Fitness Future no Flight of Fancy
Australian Army Lieutenant Paul Von Bertouch is a planner - he has to be as his job depends on it.
Lieutenant Von Bertouch’s job with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor is to provide Command Headquarters advice on the use of aviation assets – where they go and when they go.
Those assets include Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters operated by the ISF’s Timor-Leste Aviation Group (TLAG).
It is with the same dedication to planning that he has mapped out his own career – and his personal goals.
The 31-year-old officer from Belair in the southern foothills of Adelaide is half-way though his eight-month deployment in East Timor.
It’s been a busy time and the demands of the job have been counter-balanced by his dedicated hours in the gym and on foot.
Lieutenant Von Bertouch says he plans to keep up his punishing fitness regime for a long time to come.
“I enjoy improving my fitness level – especially weights and running,” he said. “I plan to be able to maintain my ability to compete in sports events well into my 50s and beyond.”
A natural sportsman, Paul has joined a group of fellow soldiers at Camp Phoenix in Dili who go well beyond the already high standards of physical fitness required of our Australian troops.
“Being part of a committed bunch of colleagues who also want to push themselves to achieve personal goals makes the training sessions that much easier – and enjoyable.” he said.
The ISF is in East Timor to support East Timorese security forces to maintain a stable and secure environment at the Invitation of the Government of Timor-Leste.