Baucau, June 23, 2025

The Minister of Defense (MD), Rear Admiral Donaciano Costa Gomes, Doctor "Pedro Klamar Fuik", stated that today marks the 4th anniversary of the Light Aviation Component, an integral part of the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), which has undergone transformations over the past 23 years.

"The evolution of the Light Air Component over the last 4 years has shown great progress and demonstrates the commitment and selfless efforts of our F-FDTL Institution in developing some of our capabilities to be able to control our light airspace", stated the Minister of Defense (MD), Rear Admiral Donaciano Costa Gomes, Doctor of Philosophy, "Pedro Klamar Fuik".

The governor stated that airspace is an integral part of national sovereignty defined on land, at sea and in the sky.

"From the development of the Leisure Air Component itself, there is progress and training of human resources and training for some means that we have, which is not ideal and is not included in the planning for natural development according to this Component, but we believe that in the afternoon the Leisure Air Component will be able to fly better and, if we succeed, we can correct it."

Newly established components always face many structural challenges, the means necessary to perform their functions and develop their organic structure, so that they can assert themselves as a component specifically oriented towards celestial space.

"Our political plan is to prioritize all components, namely the Naval Component, the Light Air Component and the Land Component, which we will develop and train so that they can operationalize and sustain themselves in accordance with the existing force development planning.

On the same occasion, the Chief of the General Staff of FALINTIL-East Timor Defence Forces (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek", stated that today is not about celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Recreational Air Component, but rather about celebrating F-FDTL Day, an important day for the Armed Forces public.

"As Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, together with you, I feel proud that you have achieved, together, that today the Light Air Component exists for the fourth time. This is a crucial milestone for our Armed Forces, which will make the existence of the force a real basis for the development of the FALINTIL-FDTL Institution."

Today, celebrated in honour of the Light Air Component, also looks at the future challenges that the F-FDTL faces as a very new component. Therefore, the Head of State requested the political authorities, especially the Minister of Defence, to pay attention and recognise the crucial role that the Light Air Component plays in the security of Timor-Leste's sovereignty.

"The crucial activities that will be carried out will occur when we have the capacity to conduct search and rescue operations and provide logistical support to aerial surveillance, so we must consider continuity and investment in training and technology means for partnerships that allow us to increase the capacity of the air component."

The Commander of the Light Air Component, Colonel Helder da Costa, said that today marks the 4th anniversary of the Light Air Component. The Air Component has prepared 4 pilots and 2 aircraft to control the airspace throughout the territory.

As we all know that our mission has just begun, we need everyone's support for our execution, surveillance or control of our aircraft, since controlling aircraft requires many means, such as radars, to reach the sky and to control our aircraft.

The Light Air Component cannot work alone, but also needs the support of the Naval Component and the Land Component to ensure the sovereignty of Timor-Leste in the future.

The Air Component anniversary ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense, Admiral Donaciano Costa Gomes, Ph.D., the Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, the former PR and former PM, General Taur Matan Ruak, President of the Municipal Authority of Baucau, Veneranda Lemos, retired Lieutenant General Lere Anan Timur, the Military Attachés, the Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX", Major General MAUNANA, Commander of the Component and Unit, Municipal Commander of the PNTL of Dili, Municipal Commander of the PNTL, Local Veterans Authorities, ACCTL, ANTL.IP, BNCTL, National Directorate of Land Transport of the Municipality of Baucau, the large family of AFAMA CAL, Sergeant and Enlisted officers, as well as all the families.

F-FDTL Press Team

Leoneto de Jesus

Domingos Sarmento