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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
(F-FDTL Media) Friday, 20/06/2025 The Chief of the General Staff of the FALINTIL-FDTL, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, opened a lecture with the theme "FROM THE GROUND TO THE SKY-TRUE THE FALINTIL-FDTL VISION", held at the General Headquarters, organized by the Light Air Component (CAL) to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the Light Air Component (CAL), which will be celebrated on 23/06/2025 at Baucau Airport.
In the intervention of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, this lecture was considered a unique opportunity to reflect on the importance of the Air Component as a commercial step to modernize defense capabilities, realize strategic visions and prepare forces to respond to the challenges that lie ahead. The future is coming.
"Today's lecture is a unique opportunity to reflect on the importance of the Air Component in the Timor-Leste Armed Forces. The transition from a force that operates primarily in a country that encompasses the sky is a commercial step towards modernizing our defense capabilities and realizing the strategic vision we have for our mission, which is to ensure that our forces are prepared to face the challenges we face in the future," said the CEMGFA at the Fatuhada General Headquarters Auditorium on Friday.
The Head of State added that it is our dream and hope that the Air Force can play an important role in the defense system, not only in terms of protection, but also in strengthening regional presence and providing humanitarian support.
This lecture was attended by important speakers, such as the former CIA EIS, the Minister of Defense, José Agustinho Sequeria "Xomotxo", the Captain-of-Sea-and-War Dili AirBus A320 Adnan Bang, Mr. Sabino Henriques, the Chief Technical Advisor of ANATL, Mr. Guilhermino Camões, the Director of AACTL, Captain Marta Coimbra, Specialist in Control Towers.
Participating in the lecture are Lieutenant General of CEMGFA Falur Rate Laek, Brigadier General of CEMFA José Da Costa Soares “Trix” Former Minister of Defense Xomotxo, Portuguese Air Force, Commander of Components and Units, IDN, ANATL, AACTL, Air Dili Pilot, NGO FOUND, 10 SMA FUND, student DECEMBRO, FINANTIL, UNPAZ, DIT, UCT, Division Chiefs, Officers l, sergeants and enlisted men as well.
F-FDTL Media Team
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Dili Headquarters, 20 June 2025
The Chief of Staff of FALINTIL - Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL), Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX", received a courtesy visit from the Chinese Defence Attaché, Colonel Miao Haijun, at his office at the Fatuhada Headquarters in Dili, to discuss cooperation in the area of human resources of the F-FDTL.
F-FDTL Media
Nhoy Borges
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Dili, Headquarters, 20 June 2025
The Vice-President of the Christian Fellowship of Asia-Pacific, retired Military Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Van Heelin, met with the Chaplain of FALINTIL-Defence Forces of Timor-Leste, Captain Rui Filomeno Gomes, at the Fatuhada Headquarters in Dili.
F-FDTL Media
Nhoy Borges
Dili, June 14, 2025
The Chief of Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, together with a delegation, visited the FALINTIL Unit in Tasi Tolu, Dili, on Saturday.
During the visit, the Chief of Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major-General Rose King, and the delegation were received directly by the Commander of the Special Operations Land Component, Colonel Domingos da Costa Soares "DOBU", and by the Commander of the FALINTIL Unit, Lieutenant-Colonel Abel da Costa Xavier "NIKI" on site.
The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen cooperation between FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the New Zealand Armed Forces, especially in the military area, and at the same time, to support the FALINTIL Unit in the area of military training and military equipment that the unit needs.
At the same location, Major General Rose King stated that the New Zealand Armed Forces are ready to continue to support the FALINTIL Command - Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL) in any support, especially in the training of human resources and military equipment that the F-FDTL Command needs.
F-FDTL Media
Leoneto de Jesus
Metinaro, June 13, 2025
FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL), through the General Support Force (FAG), Lieutenant Colonel João Bosco Ximenes "Lenok", together with the Commander of the Nicolau Lobato Training Centre (CICLN), Lieutenant Colonel Elizeu Guterres and the Commander of the Support Unit (UAS), received important visits, including those of the Senior Cabinets, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, the Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, and the New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Hellen Tunnah, at the Metinaro General Headquarters.
In the intervention of the Commander (FAG), the Chief of the General Staff of the Australian Army and the Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as the Ambassador of New Zealand in Timor-Leste and her delegation, thanked the visit, which was a great opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Australia and New Zealand. Timor-Leste has a future.
"I invite all commanders to visit this site. Our cooperation has already begun in the future, with the aim of further strengthening cooperation in the area of military technical training, such as specialized training, including infrastructure and equipment support," Bosco said at the Metinaru Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Chief of the Australian Army Staff, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, is proud to build on the friendship as an increasingly solid foundation in key military expertise and to work together with New Zealand partners in the future.
On the other hand, the Chief of Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, expressed his gratitude, although this is the first visit, but it is hoped that the strengthened relationship will be even stronger with every opportunity for joint work and engagement, not only in bilateral cooperation, but also with Australia and Timor-Leste.
During the visit, the Military Band Facilities, the Memorial Hall, the ELTF, the Medical Facilities, the CTOAP Facilities, including the barracks built by the Joint Construction Exercise, were also seen, accompanied by the CFT Commander, Colonel Domingos da Costa Soares "Dobu", and by LtCol João Bosco Ximenes "Lenok", including officers.
F-FDTL Media
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