East Timor security deployment ended

Australia officially ends the military security mission in East Timor today, with 400 troops set to return home

• Australia ends East Timor military mission
• Australia winds up East Timor security mission

Australia has quietly ended its military mission in East Timor, with the flag officially lowered on the 13-year deployment at a ceremony in Dili.

The deployment officially ends on Thursday, although Australian personnel will remain through to April next year to return equipment to Australia, close bases and return property and buildings to the East Timor government.

Australia will maintain an ongoing defence relationship by way of the Defence Cooperation Program. As well, Australian Federal Police (AFP) will continue to support local police.

Link

2012 Christmas Mailing deadline 7 December 2012

Here are the details about the 2012 Christmas Mailing. Please note the information about sending food to the Detection Dogs.

 of Defence site, link here.

Please note that there are special addresses for Christmas Mail so that they know it is Christmas Mail!

Christmas Mail will be able to be sent from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012.

Here is a cut and paste from the link:

A number of community-based organisations and community members have expressed a wish to send care packages to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel serving on overseas operations on Christmas Day. In response to this generosity, the ADF has established special mailing addresses. These will operate from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012.

If you would like to support our service men and women, you are able to send parcels through Australia Post provided they meet the following guidelines:

• for postal security reasons, you will need to present a photographic identification;
• you can post parcels weighing up to a cubed weight of two kilograms in a ‘BX2’-sized Australia Post carton free of charge;
• if your parcel exceeds this limit, you will need to pay the full cost;
• articles must be packed in durable packaging, which is suitably secured, to withstand a large volume of weight and handling;
• postal addresses will be active from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012 and packages will be distributed throughout the operational areas;
• care package items most appreciated include uniquely Australian treats such as Tim Tams, lollies, magazines, books and DVDs. (Please note that any food stuffs should be non perishable in nature and sealed in commercial packaging.); and
• some items must not be sent including cigarettes, alcohol, perfumery products and pornography.

Care Packages for Military Dogs and Explosive Detection Dogs

 

The Australian public have expressed their support not only for our ADF members, but also their four-legged partners.

 

Unfortunately, care packages for explosive detection dogs and military dogs, containing items such as toys and food cannot be used by the dogs. The dogs cannot play with the toys, as their tennis ball toy is a key part of their training and the food can’t be used due to the dogs’ strict diets.

Defence would like to thank the public for their generous and kind support for our explosive detection dogs and military dogs and ask that you consider making a donation to your local animal welfare shelter on behalf our dogs.

For more information about Christmas Care Packages including postage and restrictions.

Please address your parcel to one of the following:

Middle East

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 60

Middle East Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

East Timor

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 61

East Timor Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Solomon Islands

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 62

Solomon Islands Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Helpful links and notes:

What to Send/What not to Send, please note above in blue, no food to be sent to K9s. Food is anything that they can eat. No toys or balls for the dogs, as this interferes with their training. The Department of Defence has requested that donations be made to your local animal shelter in lieu of sending things for the dogs.
Department of Defence site, link here.

Where are they?

Here is a link to the Department of Defence site which informs the location of Australian military members who are deployed around the world.

Lest We Forget

I'll be thinking of you today. Stay safe.

Update:

Feedback: A thank You from Afghanistan, Adopt a Soldier

I received a Thank You email today from a person in Afghanistan. He said that they share out the goodies they get in their parcels, the recipient gets first dibs and they share things around.

Winter has been especially cold this year in Afghanistan and though Christmas parcels from home arrived late they've been very much appreciated.

As far as Adopt A Soldier, it's been suggested that anyone interested in adopting a soldier who may not have support from home, or who needs a boost from home, address a letter to The Chaplain and you may find The Chaplain will be able to help.