Timor Leste Teams Return Home
Team Group Manu Returns
LAC Allen is welcomed home by girlfriend LAC Watts.
In the gathering twilight the LAST 2008 rotation of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel serving in Timor Leste returned home, bringing to an end the last planned overseas deployment of RNZAF Iroquois helicopters.
The 31-strong team from No. 3 Squadron, who have spent the past three months in the capital Dili where they continued to provide 24-hour aero-medical evacuation coverage for the International Stabilisation Force, conducted various troop movements throughout Timor and assisted with the re-supply of remote operating Bases.
Detachment Commander Squadron Leader Ben Pryor says the Squadron’s time in Timor Leste has been both challenging and rewarding.
‘We will be leaving East Timor with mixed emotions. We have a great deal of satisfaction in what has been an extremely successful deployment for 3 Squadron and our veteran Iroquois helicopters. We also realise that Timor Leste still faces many on-going challenges to a lasting peace and stability. On a personal level we are all really looking forward to returning home to family and loved ones.’
Since the detachment from No. 3 Squadron left for Timor Leste in April 2007, a total of 186 RNZAF personnel have served in Timor Leste, to date, with eight serving on two rotations.