Introduction

Under Operation Astute, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed an Australian-led ANZAC Battle Group to Timor-Leste. Established in September 2006, the Battle Group comprises several rifle companies, including an NZ Army company, supported by headquarters, logistics and signals elements. The Timor-Leste Aviation Group provides elements to support Battle Group operations.

By August 2009, there had been six rotations of the Battle Group comprising different elements of the ADF.

Commanding Officers

• Lieut. Colonel Mick Mumford      May – 16 September 2006
• Lieut. Colonel Scott Goddard     16 September 2006 – 25 March 2007
• Lieut. Colonel Andrew Gallaway 25 March – September 2007
• Lieut. Colonel Ben James          September 2007 – April 2008
• Lieut. Colonel Wade Stothart    April 2008 –
• Lieut. Colonel Jake Elwood       – 8 January 2009
• Lieut. Colonel Darren Huxley     8 January 2009 –
• Lieut. Colonel David Smith 

Government sources

About Operation Astute, Department of Defence website

2009

Sixth rotation – Battle Group 6:

• An infantry battalion headquarters;
• Two Australian infantry companies and an administration company from the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment
• a New Zealand Rifle Company (Kiwi Coy)
• A battery from 16 Air Defence Regiment
• Elements of 1st Combat Engineer Regiment
• Specialists and additional personnel from a number of other units are also involved in the Battle Group.

Fifth rotation – Battle Group 5:

• An infantry battalion headquarters;
• Two Australian infantry companies and an administration company from the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment,
• a New Zealand Rifle Company (Kiwi Coy, 110 Field Battery);
• A battery from 16 Air Defence Regiment (Elements of the 110 Battery)
• Elements of 1st Combat Engineer Regiment
• Specialists and additional personnel from a number of other units are also involved in the Battle Group. A total of approximately 35 units are involved.

2008

Fourth rotation – Battle Group 4 (Battle Group Balmoral):

• Battle Group Headquarters;
• An infantry battalion group comprised of three Australian Rifle Companies and Administration Company from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and a Rifle Company from the 2nd/1st Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Kiwi Coy);
• Mechanised Platoon (equipped with M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers) from the Darwin-based 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment;
• Elements of the Townsville-based 4th Field Regiment, The Royal Australian Artillery;
• Elements of the Townsville-based 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers;
• Elements of the Townsville-based 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion; and
• Elements from the 1st Military Police Battalion.

2007

Third Rotation – Battle Group Samichon:

• Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Three rifle companies from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Bravo Company, 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
• Administration Company, Royal Australian Regiment
• Mechanised Platoon, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Elements, 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Elements, 1st Military Police Battalion
• Elements, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers
• Elements, 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion
• Elements, B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment
• Troop, 1st Aviation Regiment

Second Rotation

• Headquarters, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• B Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• C Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Victor Company, 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
• Battery, 16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Elements, 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Support Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Administration Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• Elements, 1st Military Police Battalion
• Elements, 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers
• Elements, B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment
• Elements, B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment
• Troop, 1st Aviation Regiment

2006

First Rotation

• Headquarters, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• B Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• A Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• D Company, 2/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
• Battery, 16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (operating as infantry)
• 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers
• 7 Combat Service Support Battalion
• Elements, B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment
• B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment
• Troop, 1st Aviation Regiment
• Elements, 7 Command Support Regiment

Commentary and analysis

Information for families, Battle Group Balmoral, 3rd Royal Australian Regiment, 2008

“This page will contain reports for families sent back from Timor Leste after they have been cleared by the Task Force Commander. We hope to have pictures and stories and mention as many soldiers as possible for extended families all over Australia and the world to see.”

Information for families, Battle Group Samichon, 2^nd Royal Australian Regiment, 2007 – 2008

“This page will have regular updates posted to it by the members of Timor Leste Battle Group 3 based on 2 RAR. The deployment is from September 2007 to April 2008.”

Updated 24 August 2009