ARMY Reserve soldiers who recently finished training in central Victoria have been farewelled at an official parade ahead of their mission to East Timor.

The group of 171 reserve soldiers, including six from Bendigo, were given a fitting send-off from army officials and politicians at the RAAF Williams base in Laverton on Sunday night.

Senator David Feeney, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, gave the formal goodbye to the troops.

“This parade is an opportunity to show them our appreciation,” Senator Feeney said.

“It’s for the families and friends to farewell the soldiers who will complete an operation.”

Gallery: Puckapunyal training

Army Reservist Sam Malone, from Marong, is one of the soldiers who will head over as part of the eight-month stability mission.

He said the deployment would be about adding to security of the country.

“We’re there to help out the Timor government, provide base security and general security, just doing our bit to try and help the country,” Corporal Malone said.

“With the training we’ve done, we’re thoroughly prepared for it.”

The group, who went through training camps at Puckapunyal military base, near Seymour, will join more than 450 Australian soldiers currently working as part of the International Stabilisation Force.

Known as Operation Astute, the deployment will help boost security ahead of Timor’s national elections, scheduled for March 17.