Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Timor-Leste to celebrate a legacy of enduring friendship.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-130J-30 Hercules, carrying the men’s Australian Army football team and women’s Australian Army futsal team, arrived at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili on September 15 to a warm reception from the Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL).

The group is in country as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour to compete in the Xanana-Cosgrove Shield, an annual soccer tournament first established in 2019, to commemorate the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) mission assisting the Timorese people establish independence in 1999.

Since the inaugural event, the tournament has grown to commemorate the historical connection between the two nations dating back to World War 2.

Commander of the Australian contingent, Brigadier Malcolm Wells, who led Australia’s first training team in Timor-Leste more than 20 years ago, said he was thrilled to return.

“It’s a wonderful place. I’m really excited to reconnect with old friendships and to be able to come here with such a large Australian contingent,” Brigadier Wells said.

The football teams are accompanied by ADF chaplains and gender, peace and security advisers to conduct a series of joint events with the F-FDTL during the week-long visit.

“We are involved on one side of the house by building military capabilities together, but on the other side, we are building friendships in different ways through our shared love of sport, the recognition and respect of the deep connection religion plays in this part of the world, and the work we continue to do for gender, peace and security,” Brigadier Wells said.

Australian Defence Attaché to Timor-Leste RAN Captain Matthew Richardson said the events highlighted the deep and sophisticated partnership between Australia and Timor-Leste.  

“It's a long-standing relationship we’ve had for many years. Not just the 26 years since INTERFET was here, but since the Second World War,” Captain Richardson said.

“Timor-Leste recognises we are not only one of their closest neighbours, we are a reliable, honest friend who is always above board.”

A week of workshops and engagements will culminate in the commemorative women’s futsal and men’s football matches.

F-FDTL Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Renilde Guterres Cortereal Silva said as two nations with a shared Catholic history, the F-FDTL placed great value in the chance to use faith as a foundation to bring the countries closer.

While senior members of both defence forces share close friendships, the F-FDTL leader expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities junior ranks would have to build partnerships.

“It is a good chance for our soldiers, non-commissioned officers and junior officers to meet together and to share their knowledge with each other, so they can work together on future missions that are to come,” Colonel Silva said.

Indo-Pacific Endeavour is Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity supporting the Australian Government’s focus on deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships across South-East Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean.