Captain Andrew Carroll - Keays
When Australia deployed the first peacekeepers to East Timor, I was a reservist posted to 15 Transport Squadron in Bendigo as the Operations Officer and happily employed as a Victorian police officer.
Although I had discussed the possibility of being
deployed with my wife, Maryanne, it seemed unlikely that I would get a guernsey being a
reservist and with the limited slots available for Captains.
The 9th Force Support Battalion (FSB) had been warned out to replace 10 FSB and the word was out, the Commanding Officer was looking to fill outstanding vacancies from within Battalion units. It was obviously the opportunity of a lifetime and I volunteered knowing that if I was selected, I would have to throw the police force in as no leave was being granted for reservists to deploy. My name was put forward to work as an Operations Captain within the Force Logistic Support Group and I found myself at Puckapunyal doing pre-deployment training three days after I resigned from the police force.
Several days into the training, I was taken aside and told that I wouldn’t be deploying as planned, but rather as the Second-in-Command (2IC) of 176 Air Dispatch Squadron. I have to say, the first thought that went through my head was ‘Rockdroppers, what do I know about air dispatch?’ So, several days later, I found myself at RAAF Richmond meeting lots of people who were very busy preparing for deployment.
The Officer Commanding, Major Paul Bruce, sat me down in his office and told me of his expectations and asked whether I had any questions. Questions, did I have questions? I really didn’t know where to start but, I’d always believed in the old adage of saying nothing and having people think you’re dumb rather than opening your mouth and letting them know you were dumb. To top it all off, Major Bruce was getting ready to deploy his R group several days later, so there was a part to play right from the start.
At 3 am on Thursday the 3rd of February 2000, the majority of Squadron members found themselves loading packs, bags and weapons on a coach to begin the first part of the journey to East Timor. The scariest part about getting to Timor was watching all our machine guns and weapons come out onto the baggage carousel at the Darwin airport – so much for the airline’s secure luggage handling! The next day, after a one and a half hour ride in a Royal Thai Air Force C130, we touched down at Comoro airfield around 9 am. First impression, hot, humid and trashed. Devastated was probably the best way to describe Dili.
It was pretty much all go from Day One. We were busy moving into the port and 10 FSB was busy moving out and all the while, tasking was ongoing. I remember setting up my bed very late on the first night and feeling very alone. But there was little time for regret, as the work of a 2IC is never done. It really hit home the next morning when I was told that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ship was in and unloading. The IDP ship presented a reasonable security risk due to the number of former militia members and Indonesian military members trying to return under the guise of IDPs. Crowds would gather outside the port gates trying to identify these former militia or military members. If they thought they saw someone fitting one of those categories, they would smash bus windows or try to stop the vehicles and, I suspect would have administered some rough justice.
One of our main focuses was defence as the port was an attractive facility. The soldiers were busy enough loading and unloading ships, driving and doing forklift tasks. When they had finally finished these tasks, they started working on the defensive positions or doing gate duty or roving piquets throughout the port. Defence was an every day aspect of life in Timor and one that could not be ignored. One of the first major tasks undertaken was to move our accommodation out of the port and to a number of buildings, which we named Pelican Barracks (of course), about one kilometre away. There was some opposition to this move, as it would mean we would have to travel to and from our work but it turned out for the best as our people would actually live away from their work area and could rest up. Pelican Barracks gave everyone a ‘home away from home’ as we established a gym, the Dare Club (our Squadron boozer) and installed real showers and flushing toilets, a relative luxury in Timor. Because of the barracks’ location, many of the soldiers were able to interact with the East Timorese and were able to help out in the local community, for example refurbishing a nearby basketball court. Pelican Barracks remained the home of the Squadron until it was abandoned in late June.
The Squadron kept very busy and tasking continued right up until the Squadron main body returned home. One of the more unusual aspects about the Squadron was that it was employed out of its role. It is not often that an Air Dispatch Squadron has watercraft or postal capabilities. But the soldiers took it all in their stride and happily went about their tasks perhaps not realising that doctrinally, we couldn’t do what we were doing. The Squadron comprised of regular and reserve members from 22 different units and one of the more noticeable aspects was the unit cohesion that was apparent early on. From a personal point of view, I was readily accepted from Day One and had people coming up to me throughout the entire deployment asking me if it was true that I was a reservist. Although it shouldn’t make any difference, looking at it from an outsiders’ point of view, you had a reserve officer from a reserve road transport unit now deployed on active service as the 2IC of an Air Dispatch unit which was doing everything but air dispatch. Little wonder people were curious. But it worked because people got on with their jobs and didn’t worry about the ‘pedigree’ of the various unit members. If you were seen to be doing your job, you were in. Like any team environment, you had to participate to be accepted.
Overall, the deployment was a challenge and one that I found deeply rewarding. Although it may sound a little old fashioned, I could understand why people speak of the privilege of leading troops especially on active service. As I said my good-byes to the Squadron main body when they left for home, I felt a great relief realising that I was sending them home in one piece to their families and friends, but a greater sense of loss knowing that I would not see most them again. When I returned to Pelican Barracks that day, the place was basically empty and already being haunted with ghosts of the people I had just sent home. We still had some trucks, some people and some work to do, so we kept plugging away until it was our turn to be put on the plane for home.
While everyone had their own little bit to contribute, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some people who really afforded me the opportunity to play a role in the success of the Squadron; Major Paul Bruce for his faith and guidance. Boss, having now transferred across to the ‘dark-side’, I am still finding your guidance invaluable. Captain Adam Watson for his friendship and professionalism. The Squadron Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Rob Nicholson, for his support and determined effort that kept the Squadron ‘on-the-rails’. Warrant Officer Andy Browne for his efforts in maintaining the Squadron morale (but don’t stand down wind of him aboard an LCM8). Warrant Officer Duncan ‘Jock’ Milne who could always be relied upon in a tight corner and a special thanks to Warrant Officer Rick (Tass) Tassell for being himself.
Of course, the success of the Squadron in East Timor would not have been possible without the hard working and continuous effort of the soldiers. No matter how good a plan, it won’t work unless the soldiers are there to make it work. Our soldiers showed themselves to be resourceful, capable and worked tirelessly to achieve the task. They maintained their sense humour, albeit a little weird at times, and adapted to every changing situation. There was no doubt, we were in good company and no one can ask for more.
The last thanks must go to those we left behind. Without the support of our partners, friends and families, I suspect that there would have been many issues that could not have been resolved in East Timor. Whilst I cannot personally thank each of you, perhaps some day you will read this and know that your efforts and patience were responsible for so much and so very much appreciated. Thank you.