Our People in NSW
Julian Pooley - Manly Officer puts training into action in East Timor
It takes a long time to train a Black Hawk pilot, but the wait has been worth it for Manly aviation officer Julian Pooley.
Julian (26) is a Lieutenant serving in East with the East Timor Aviation Group 11, which is part of the International Stabilisation Force assisting the East Timor and UN police to maintain stability and security in the country.
“Since I joined the Army in 2002, I have been under constant training. This is the first time that I have been in a position to do the job I trained for,” he says.
His extensive training has included four years at university and the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and then fixed and rotary wing pilot training which involved time in the United States learning to fly the Black Hawks.
As a pilot in East Timor, Julian may need to be available within 30 minutes notice to move to provide aero-medical evacuation for injured soldiers, or may need to help with troop transfers and movement around the island.
“This can help our leaders meet with the locals in more remote parts of the island,” he said.
He has been struck by the resourcefulness of the local people, and the physical beauty of the country.
“The resourcefulness of the locals struck me upon arrival. Many of them have made their own home and dwellings from mining gravel from the dry river beds,” he said.
“The poverty is in stark contrast the beauty of the area. The water is crystal clear and I have regularly seen pods of whales, dolphins and large sea turtles, and on the odd occasion, when the tide is just right, a few decent waves.”
Julian is looking to catching up with his girlfriend when he returns to Australia and heading back to Manly over Christmas to see family and friends.
Julian is one of some 650 Australian Defence Force personnel now serving in East Timor with Operation Astute.
The operation is part of the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of East Timor to assist in bringing stability, security and confidence to the East Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.