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Greg Watt - First time highlights in East Timor for Hobart Flight Sergeant
It’s been a year of firsts for Hobart’s Greg Watt.
Currently serving in East Timor, it’s his first deployment after 25 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force.
In recent weeks, he’s also had his first opportunity to use his skills in first aid when he was on hand to help assist at a serious vehicle accident just outside Dili.
“It just kicked in,” he said, referring to his training.
“There were a lot of people milling around, not really knowing what to do. I thought we could assist, and my colleagues and I did what we could until an ambulance arrived,” he said.
“It’s things like that which illustrate small ways we can help over here, because we had the expertise and the equipment we needed right there in the car.”
Greg is a Flight Sergeant and his role in East Timor is as the Chief Clerk in the headquarters of the International Stabilisation Force, which is assisting the East Timor and United Nations police maintain stability and security in the country.
“In my role, I am responsible for ensuring that personal administration for members is completed and managed,” he said.
“A soldier or officer is more effective in doing their job if they know their administration is under control.”
Greg was working with Defence Force Recruiting in Hobart prior to coming overseas.
“I was always in units preparing other people for deployment, so it’s been great to get the opportunity to finally do it myself,” he said.
He has been particularly impressed with how friendly and responsive the people in East Timor have been.
“They are happy to say hello, and their smiles are spontaneous. You always get a positive reaction when you say good morning,” he said.
Greg is looking forward to catching up with his wife and Jack Russell terriers Bonnie and Moose when he returns to Australia.
“When they don’t get walked, they have too much energy, so I’ll be back out there walking them every day – rain, hail, or shine.”
Greg 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.