Corporal Hart, 15th Transport Squadron, stands armed with her rifle and laden with packs, beside ...

Corporal Hart, 15th Transport Squadron, stands armed with her rifle and laden with packs, beside a motorcycle (number A70), in front of the headquarters building of the 26th Transport Squadron, serving with the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET). Some of the motorcycles in front of the building are covered with camouflage cloth. Following the overwhelming vote for independence by the East Timorese on 30 August 1999 in the United Nations (UN) sponsored referendum, the pro-Indonesian militia launched a campaign of destruction, arson and murder, killing approximately 1500 people and forcing 300 000 others into West Timor as refugees. On 15 September, the UN issued a resolution, calling for a multinational force to restore peace and security and facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. By 20 September 1999, the first coalition force began deploying to East Timor as part of Australian-led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). Five months later in February 2000, INTERFET handed control of military operations over to UNTAET, who were to maintain security, establish an effective administration and develop civil and social services.