GYRO 10 and GYRO 11 during the changeover ceremony haka (photo courtesy of Australian Defence Force).
30 May 2011
Well they said it was going to be hot. And it is!
Despite the heat, humidity, strange language and barking mad traffic, GYRO 11 is now firmly settled into our new routine in Dili. Of course we’re still learning about our role, but since last Wednesday’s departure of GYRO 10, we are it!
So far, so good. The contingent came together from all over the NZ Defence Force. We trained hard, made mistakes, learned a lot and deployed in good heart. GYRO 10 left a strong legacy. The liaison net has been cast far and wide and Kiwi troops are well respected here. So in a time-honored tradition, we are busying ourselves picking up those contacts and working out just how we can do business over the next few months.
As we identified during pre deployment training, the situation here is good. Although many of the underlying causes of recent tension remain, the atmosphere in Dili and elsewhere in Timor Leste is largely positive. With the Timorese Policia Nacional taking over primary responsibility for internal security, supported by UN police agencies, the ANZAC International Stability Force remains but a low-key deterrent. This means that we have the luxury of time to consolidate our skills without the pressure of daily operations.
The focus of the next few weeks is to ensure training gaps are closed. Our infantry and cavalry elements have married up with their Australian colleagues and are now training hard to ensure they can respond if required. Our loggies are equally hard at it, ensuring not only that the Force Elements are supported, but also up-skilling for their contingency security tasks. Naturally, the NCE HQ elements are also busy, working well to orchestrate all the moving parts.
As you might expect, those parts are pretty diverse. Just in the last week we have been on the range; driven (and flown) all over Dili and the surrounding areas; met our Kiwi Defence Force and NZ Police colleagues on other missions; got to know our new Aussie colleagues; dined with the NZ Ambassador; and began to meet our Timorese neighbors. Our Tetun is improving, and some of us are re-discovering a smattering of Portuguese.
We have participated in a poroporoaki and a powhiri, three parades and two church services. Early morning PT (physical training) is proving popular (yeah right) and our inaugural sports day was a sweaty success.
So, what of the next few months?
For a start, we will be busy. Training is the key to successful operations, so we’ll be doing that: imaginative and innovative training is going to be critical to ensure that we remain focused on our key tasks. And for all that we will work hard, we also intend to play hard. Key to this is sports and PT, so expect your loved ones to look a bit different in a few months time! As the security situation permits, we’ll also be scoping some other welfare and cultural activities ranging from memorial visits to Cova Lima to an attempt on the Ruapehu-equalling Mount Ramelau. We also have a school to look at, and our 1RNZIR drummers have been asked to train the F-FDTL (Timorese Army) band. We’ll prioritise these potential activities, then begin to deliver over the next few weeks.
So, greetings to our loved ones, friends and colleagues at home. Everyone is getting fit and we’re looking forward to the unique opportunities that will present over the next few months.
If only it wasn’t so hot….
Major Andy MacKenzie Everitt
OC GYRO 11