Richmond RAAf Flt Lt receives special flag for East Timor deployment
07-October-2011
Louise markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie presented a special Australian flag flown in the House of Representatives Chambers, Canberra, to Flight Lieutenant Joshua Buggy, who will be deployed to East Timor and depart at the end of the month. Flt Lt is based in the ICCS Communications Unit, at Richmond Air Force Base.
Louise Markus said " I am pleased to present such a special flag to a member of Australia's defense force.
" Australia's history is interwoven with our national flag and it holds a special place in the hearts and minds of defence personal both domestically and on international deployments.
" The significance of the Chanmber flag is because of its unique placement inside the House of Representatives Chamber where issues of national importance are debated. I also presented a red ensign flag which was the same flag taken to Gallipoli and can only be given to military personnel.
" The flag are a little reminder of home and the Flt Lt Buggy, a local man from the Blue Mountains, will have the flagsto bring him closer to family and friends in the local area.
Flt Lt Buggy said that it was a great honor to recieve a flag that had been flown inside the Chambers of Parliament House and he will take the flag to East Timor as a keepsake during his 5 month deployment.
"Australia's presence in East Timor has been significant and some great work has been done, building a hospital, training the local population and providing stability and security during challanging times" Louise Markus said.
"Around 300 service personnel are on deployment in East Timor, four Blackhawk helicopters from the 5th Aviation Regiment and a number of personnal involved in the Defence Aid Project, all providing a valuable service to the East Timorese" said Louise Markus.