Iroquois off to East Timor.

[corsair67]

From The Australian.


Kiwis sending two helicopters, more troops to East Timor
Mark Dodd, AAP
March 20, 2007

NEW Zealand is boosting its military contribution to riot-battered East Timor with two helicopters and 32 soldiers, citing security concerns in the run-up to presidential elections next month.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday two air force Iroquois helicopters would be deployed for up to 12 months, with the option of sending a third.

Canberra reviews its troop levels in East Timor on a daily basis but has so far not made a decision to increase the 820-strong force based in the capital, Dili.

The New Zealand increase brings to 180 the number of Kiwi troops deployed to East Timor, serving under an Australian-led international stabilisation force.

The strength of the so-called Anzac Battlegroup is about 1000 soldiers. A senior New Zealand officer will soon be appointed deputy ISF commander.

An estimated 500,000 East Timorese will vote for a new president during elections scheduled for April 9, but gang violence in Dili and an ongoing military operation to capture rebel Major Alfredo Reinado threaten a free and fair poll.

Major Reinado, a former chief of the country's military police and a key figure in last year's political violence, remains on the run in the remote southern mountains after Australian special forces failed in a bid to arrest him in the coffee-growing town of Same more than a fortnight ago.

ISF commander, Australian Brigadier Mal Rerden, has called on East Timorese to dob in the fugitive.

[beagle]

Les, do you know if they will be painting them white

[phil]

No, I don't think so. The white ones last time were only the ones used on behalf of the UN, and white was not very popular tactically. There is no sudden rush going on here to get any painted.

[Calum]

Plus there's a war going on there at the moment. I'd exoect these won't be operated under the UN but under the ANZAC battlegroup

[flyjoe180]

War? You can't have a war in our region. Our leader said we had no unrest or war in our region...

[phil]

...'a benign strategic environment'... I think were the words she used.

[Dave Homewood]

Here's a press release from the Manawatu Standard
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4000568a6502.html

Iroquois for Timor
Manawatu Standard | Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Helicopters from Ohakea will be heading to East Timor in May.

The New Zealand Defence Force will send up to three helicopters with 32 crew and support staff to further assist with stability operations in the troubled nation.

Drawn from the Ohakea- based 3 Squadron, the RNZAF personnel and Iroquois helicopters will deploy in late May in the first rotation of what will be a 12-month deployment.

The mission was prompted by a request from the Australian Defence Force for extra helicopter support in East Timor.

Likely tasks for the crew include transporting troops, assisting with the provision of aero medical evacuation and air logistic support.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer says 3 Squadron is more than ready for the deployment.

"In recent years 3 Squadron have deployed on similar operations in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville, and in 2000 worked in partnership with Australian air assets in Timor Leste. We are pleased to be able to provide a further capability to assist the Government of Timor Leste as they continue to strive for stability, and this deployment is further proof of the range of operations the NZDF can effectively contribute to."

The helicopters will be flown to East Timor aboard RNZAF C-130 Hercules transports and based with the Australian units at at the heliport in Dili.

Also announced yesterday was the appointment of a New Zealand deputy chief of the combined force in Timor Leste.