61 Chapter 5: The Modern Gunner Operation Citadel 2002 On return from the tour in East Timor, the battery began focussing on moving into the new facilities of Robertson Barracks and the reforming of the 101st Battery, where it would eventually be established in the 1st Brigade in the year 2000. The battery supported other units within the 1st Brigade as well as the Deployable Battle Group – as the situation in East Timor was not yet at a stage where it could be deemed safe. East Timor was now governed by the UN who oversaw the country’s transition into independence. Members of the battery, including Major Haebich –BC 103- would continue to periodically deploy to East Timor on Operation Citadel throughout late 2002. Operation Citadel was a major deployment of Australian Combat Battalion Groups (AUSBATT) to support the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNIMISET) Peacekeeping Force from 2000 until May 2005. The 103rd Battery’s specific contribution to Operation Citadel went from September 2002 until May 2003 as a part of AUSBATT VII and provided a Civil Military Affairs Group as well as being based with the 5/7 RAR Battle Group. The 5/7 Battle Group assumed the role of AUSBATT VII from 3 RAR (AUSBATT VI) on the 25 October 2002. Initially, the deployment saw FO parties take up traditional security roles, such as supporting the Fijian Infantry Companies as well as establishing security in destabilised regions towards the western borders, however this changed approximately half way through the deployment in around December 2002. They fell under the command of the existing CO of the Battalion LTCOL Mick Tucker and the first phase consisted of a simple organisation where each of the FOs in their respective infantry companies were rerolled as a CMA team. The roles and responsibilities of
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