Multinational exercise builds readiness, creates legacy in Timor-Leste
FORUM Staff
A quarter century after Australian troops first deployed to Timor-Leste to restore stability during civil unrest, Australian Army engineers and other specialists traveled to the island nation recently to enhance infrastructure and bolster interoperability and readiness.
The 13th iteration of Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk, which means “build together” in the local Tetum language, also included personnel from Japan, New Zealand, Timor-Leste and the United States, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said. Projects included constructing barracks for male and female Soldiers at Baucau Military Base.
VIDEO CREDIT: AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT
“Many hands have truly made light work. It’s been incredible to see everyone surging in the same direction to get the job done,” Australian Army Maj. Daniel Luhrs said in an October 2024 news release. “This isn’t just about physical construction; it’s about building relationships.”
Timor-Leste primarily comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, sharing a border with Indonesia, and is about 600 kilometers northwest of Darwin, Australia. The nation of 1.4 million people gained independence in 2002 and is set to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Timor-Leste voters overwhelmingly approved independence in 1999, but the referendum sparked widespread violence. About 5,500 Australian personnel joined an international peacekeeping force sent to the island, the ADF’s biggest deployment in decades.
“This gives us [an] opportunity to reflect on just how far Timor-Leste, and your modern military force, have come in such a short time,” Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Caitlin Wilson said at Hari’i Hamutuk’s opening ceremony, noting the 25th anniversary of the peacekeeping mission.
“Multilateral exercises such as these provide an opportunity for our military personnel to practice their core trades and learn from each other to improve their skills and build together,” she said.
IMAGE CREDIT: AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT
Teams trained in specialties including medicine, signals, small engines and catering. ADF chefs also hosted a barbecue at Kantina Matak, or “green kitchen,” at Timor-Leste’s presidential palace in the capital, Dili. The nutrition program serves more than 500 meals daily to children, pregnant women and young mothers.
“Nutritious meals are so important to overcome issues such as stunted growth and impacted learning for children,” Bella Galhos, a presidential advisor on women and economic empowerment, said in an ADF news release. “Things like beef, burgers, they are very costly, and it’s very exciting for the children to have an opportunity to try a traditional Australian barbecue, with real Australian Soldiers.”
