MAUBARA Timor Leste -- At the invitation of the government of Timor Leste, Marines and Sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted an amphibious landing and began training with the country’s military here Oct. 14, while others in the unit assisted a local clinic in providing medical and dental care.
Members of the Forces de Defense de Timor Leste and engineers from the MEU are scheduled to give a children’s school a new roof, refurbished walls and windows and a fresh coat of paint.
The Marines and Sailors came ashore from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, which departed San Diego Sept. 24 on a deployment to the Western Pacific.
“We welcome the opportunity to work alongside the Forces de Defense de Timor Leste to get to know the people of Timor Leste at their schools, clinics and other venues,” said Col. Gregg Olson, 11th MEU commanding officer. “We will take advantage of opportunities to train ashore in environments that differ from those at our home bases, refreshing some of our basic military skills … We will partner with local government and educational officials to help improve facilities that educate the children of Timor Leste.”