Chief of Defence Force visits Australian troops

The Chief of Defence Force (CDF), General David Hurley, has visited Australian troops serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

This was General Hurley’s first visit to East Timor and Solomon Islands in his role as CDF.

During the visit, General Hurley spoke with the soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen who will be deployed over the Christmas period and thanked them for their efforts throughout a busy year.

"You have made a valuable contribution to the stability and security of our region along with the many thousands of uniformed members and civilians who support you back home.”

During his visit to East Timor, General Hurley met with Government, police and military leaders to discuss the current security environment and planning for the 2012 national elections.

“Australiais committed to working with East Timor’s security forces and the United Nations to maintain current levels of stability throughout the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary election period,” said General Hurley.

Meanwhile in Solomon Islands, General Hurley met with police leaders and RAMSI officials to discuss the progress made in RAMSI’s transition of responsibility to the Solomon Islands Government.

As an example of this progress, RAMSI’s Participating Police Force has started to withdraw from a number of provincial police posts over the past year.

"Australian officials will continue to work closely with RAMSI and the Solomon Islands community to ensure security is maintained as local authorities gradually assume responsibility for the work currently shared with RAMSI," said General Hurley.

On his return toAustralia, the CDF also took the opportunity to visit Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on Operation RESOLUTE including the RAAF AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol aircraft detachment, Royal Australian Navy patrol boat crews, Northern Command and Northern Force.

Operation RESOLUTE is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the whole-of-government effort to detect and deter illegal activity inAustralia’s waters.

"We ask a lot of you as members of the ADF and I thank you for your valuable contribution and the sacrifices you and your family make, particularly at this time of year," said General Hurley.

Images are available at:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003=&search=11121712

More information about Operation RESOLUTE is available at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2011/dec/1219a.htm

Media contact: Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999