AIR Force Sergeant Alec Aspen is delivering vital relief - and a few smiles - to the homeless and sick people of devastated East Timor

During the last few months Alec, 31, from Burnley, has had to spend a lot of time apart from his wife Kathryn and children Reece, four, and Eleanor, one.

He is taking food and medical supplies from Australia to the Timorese people, who suffered when their Indonesian occupiers and pro-Indonesian militia were forced out by the United Nations.

Alec joined the Royal Air Force in 1986 and is an engineer attached to the 70 Squadron RAF.

He said: "We fly in from Darwin every day bringing in supplies of aid which are vital to the Timorese people.

"When the UN first went into East Timor, there were three flights a day to East Timor, not just British planes but Australian, New Zealand and American as well.

"Now the situation is more stable there are one or two flights a day. It is a long haul flight from the UK but most of the flights we do are from Darwin to Dili, the capital of East Timor.

"Working out here in the heat and humidity takes a bit of getting used to but it has been great fun working with the Australians as they have a good sense of humour."

Alec's squadron is currently based in Darwin and since he has been visiting East Timor he has seen a big improvement.

He added: "The country is more stable and the UN has given the local people the confidence to start rebuilding their lives again. "The aid we fly out is a lifeline for some of the locals. A lot of people lost their homes and belongings as the pro-Indonesian militia looted and destroyed the towns and villages and many of the locals fled to the mountains to live off whatever they could find.

"A lot of the local people were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration, especially in the more isolated areas.

"Others needed urgent medical attention due to gunshot or machete wounds and we have set up an army field hospital in Dili to look after anyone who requires help.

"I'm glad that I had the opportunity to come out here and help a most worthwhile cause.

"It's great fun going out to meet the locals as they enjoy a chat and a joke. My sign language is getting better and everyone, especially the kids, is fascinated by us."

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