Members of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Timor-Leste have marked the conclusion of their mission with a parade at the Fatu Hada (F-FDTL) Headquarters of the Timor-Leste Defence Force. Qualifying members on parade were presented with the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal in recognition of their contribution to the improved stability of the nation of Timor-Leste. Before ISF personnel return to Australia, approximately 220 members of the current rotation will receive the decoration. With the cessation of the requirement to support the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste, Australian ISF members will return home as stores and equipment used to support the mission in Timor-Leste over the past six years are repatriated back to Australia. TheTimor-Leste Solidarity Medal is presented by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to recognise and thank foreign police and military members who have served in the United Nations mandated mission to assist in defence and security operations in Timor-Leste. The medal is presented for service after 01 May 2006.

Army Reservist, Captain Andrew Lam is currently serving as the Financial Officer for the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor. Captain Lam is responsible for the due diligence and governance of all ISF finances. His duties also include overseeing the ISF pay office and providing operational financial advice to the Commander ISF, Colonel Luke Foster. When his duties allow, Captain Lam volunteers his spare time in support of one of the local Dili orphanages and enjoys playing soccer with the local East Timorese teams. 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. The ISF currently comprises around 460 personnel, 390 of which are from the Australian Defence Force, and up to 70 personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force.

Over 65 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel currently serving with the Timor Leste Aviation Group 16 (TLAG 16) in East Timor are preparing to return home to Australia. The Timor-Leste Aviation Group (TLAG) operates Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters in support of the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) mission in East Timor through the provision of troop lift and 24-hour aero-medical evacuation (AME) capabilities. The departing ADF personnel deployed to East Timor in August 2011 and were drawn primarily from 5th Aviation Regiment (Townsville, QLD) along with 6th Aviation Regiment (Holsworthy NSW), 1st Aviation Regiment (Darwin NT), Army Aviation Training Centre and Incident Response Regiment (Oakey QLD) and 9th Force Support Battalion (Amberley QLD). The departing personnel will be replaced by approximately the same number of ADF personnel comprising TLAG 17, again drawn primarily from 5th Aviation Regiment. Over the course the six month deployment, TLAG-16 provided a military aviation presence for security and humanitarian activities and conducted six Aero Medical Evacuation tasks in support of the East Timorese people. 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. <a href="http://111.125.172.46/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&amp;search=11122029" target="_self"> Related Imagery</a>

Australian Defence Force (ADF) members deployed with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor have celebrated Australia Day in the tropics. During the day, ISF members not required for duty enjoyed a traditional Aussie BBQ and sports day. Traditional Australia Day games included volleyball, touch football and cricket. The ISF currently comprises around 460 personnel, 390 of which are from the Australian Defence Force, and up to 70 personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force.  

For the children of the St Bakhita's orphanage in Dili, regular visits by soldiers of the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) are very welcome. ISF members regularly visit St Bakhita's and other Dili orphanages and help raise funds from among the Australian and New Zealand soldiers in East Timor to provide provisions and undertake minor works. The orphanages rely on charity to keep the many orphaned children fed, clothed and schooled. The ISF is in East Timor to support local security forces to maintain a stable and secure environment at the invitation of the Government of Timor-Leste.

Australian Army Signal Information System technicians serving with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor are teaching important Information Technology (IT) skills to East Timorese Army (F-FDTL) recruits. The training is being conducted under the Australian-led Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) aimed at professionalising and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the F-FDTL. The ISF IT training with the F-FDTL will conclude at the end of November 2011.

The Military Working Dog (MWD) detachment in East Timor plays a crucial role in security operations. MWD teams work as a single unit and significantly magnify the efficiency of security duties such as patrols, crowd control and searches. The International Stabilisation Force (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.

Australian and New Zealand military personnel serving with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor have taken time out from their duties to enjoy performances by leading Australian entertainers. Jenny Morris, India-Rose Madderom and Andy Bull braved the heat of East Timor to perform a series of concerts as part of the Tour de Force. The entertainers arrived in East Timor on Friday, 21 October and over four days performed two shows entertaining a total of over 400 ISF personnel. At the conclusion of the tour, the Commander of the ISF, Colonel Luke Foster, thanked the entertainers for bringing world-class entertainment to the troops.