Ten years ago the New Zealand Defence Force assisted with the stabilisation of East Timor. On 17 September 1999, the then Prime Minister Jenny Shipley announced that a tri-Service contingent would be sent to East Timor to provide a stabilising force for the conflict between East and West Timor. It was the NZDF’s largest deployment in 35 years. The NZDF continues to work in this developing country to help create a stable and secure environment so that the Timorese people can address their own political future peacefully and constitutionally. The current situation on the ground is calm but precarious.
WGCDR Logan Cudby
Significant 1999 Dates
14 September
Royal New Zealand Navy frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, joins ships from other countries patrolling off the coast of Dili. Two RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft are sent to Darwin in preparation for flights into Dili Airfield.
17 September
The then Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, announces that New Zealand would send an initial force of 265 Navy and Air Force personnel, and 420 soldiers - our biggest deployment in 35 years. More than 1,000 NZDF personnel were sent, including a frigate, a whole infantry battalion, and a helicopter squadron.
26 September
RNZAF Iroquois helicopters from No 3 Squadron fly to East Timor in support of the New Zealand Infantry Battalion.
Key Air Force Personnel
GPCAPT John Cummings
The following Air Force personnel filled key roles in the early days of the East Timor crisis:
Wing Commander Logan Cudby
Role in Timor: United Nations (UN) Military Liaison Adviser for the Independence Referendum and the transition to the International Force East Timor (INTERFET). He was involved in the evacuation of UN personnel under fire in Maliana and was later based in Liquica and Dili. He was awarded a New Zealand Gallantry Medal for his work in Timor.
Current role in NZDF: Air Adviser to Defence Review 09.
Group Captain John Cummings
Role in Timor: Commanding Officer No 40 Squadron (C-130s and B-757) at the time the squadron provided strategic airlift from New Zealand to Dili as we deployed our forces.
Current role in NZDF: Chief Staff Officer, Joint Plans.