ISF Troops head home from East Timor

ISF Troops head home from East Timor

Around 325 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor will begin returning home to Australia this month following a four to eight month deployment.

Prior to their departure, East Timor President, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, awarded the Australian troops the Timor Leste Solidarity Medal. During a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Ramos-Horta thanked the medal recipients for their contribution to security and stability in East Timor.

“You all have contributed to this stable atmosphere and can return home to Australia knowing that you have accomplished your mission and have the gratitude and appreciation of the people of East Timor,” President Ramos-Horta said.

Almost half the International Stabilisation Force’s personnel consists of reserve personnel.

Commander ISF (CISF), Colonel Luke Foster, said ISF personnel who are returning home to Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney and parts of Victoria should be proud of their accomplishments.

“They can return home knowing they have served with distinction and have my sincere thanks and appreciation for all their efforts,” he said.

They will be replaced by personnel drawn primarily from 4 Brigade (Victoria), 7 Brigade (Brisbane), and again from 5th Aviation Regiment (Townsville) and 17th Signal Regiment (Sydney).

The ISF is in East Timor at the invitation of the Government of Timor-Leste to support local security forces to maintain a secure and stable environment.