Australian Navy’s Coastal Minehunter, HMAS Huon, has strengthened the friendship between the Royal Australian Navy and the Timor-Leste Defence Force in a recent port visit to the nation’s capital Dili.
The four day port visit was focused on cultural exchange and the conduct of bilateral training with the Naval Component for the Falintil-Forca Defesa Timor Leste (F-FDTL), including the demonstration of damage control, fire fighting, toxic hazard, diving and boat drills.
Commanding Officer HMAS Huon, Commander Richard Caton, joined by members of the ship’s company, visited the Timor-Leste Naval Base Port Hera and met with Vice Commander of the Timor Leste Defence Force, Lieutenant Commander Adao ‘Jacky’ Brito.
In addition to the several meetings and bilateral training, the Officers and Senior Sailors in Huon hosted an official reception onboard the mine hunter with special guests including Timor Leste Defence Force members, officials from the Portuguese and Philippine Navy, US Naval Combat Batallion as well as Australian Defence Force personnel posted to Timor-Leste.
Commander Northern Command, Commodore Brenton Smyth, said port visits such as this can go a long way to strengthening the relationships between close regional neighbours.
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Press release, Image: Australian Navy