Story: Asian conflicts

Air Force medic in East Timor, 2001

Air Force medic in East Timor, 2001

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) medic provides aid to East Timorese civilians in June 2001. In 1999 violence broke out in East Timor following a referendum in which the Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia. Militia groups supported by Indonesia instigated much of the violence. New Zealand sent contingents from all three services to be part of the international peace-keeping force INTERFET (International Force East Timor). A frigate and a supply ship were based off the coast, while the RNZAF transported New Zealand troops. A battalion-sized infantry force was based in East Timor, with soldiers from the Special Air Service and the 1st Battalion RNZIR (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment). From February 2000 INTERFET personnel came under the control of the United Nations.

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How to cite this page:

Ian McGibbon, 'Asian conflicts - Later Asian wars', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/34546/air-force-medic-in-east-timor-2001 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ian McGibbon, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Feb 2016