Who are Australian cleaning force?

The Australian Cleaning Force (ACF) was an Australian Defence Force taskforce that was deployed to East Timor in 1999 as part of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). The ACF comprised 1,500 personnel from all three services of the ADF, and was led by Brigadier Ian McPhaden.

The ACF was deployed to East Timor in response to the violence and unrest that had followed the East Timorese vote for independence from Indonesia. The taskforce's mission was to restore peace and security, and to help the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) to establish a new government.

The ACF carried out a number of operations in East Timor, including:

* Patrolling the streets of Dili and other towns to deter violence and crime

* Providing security for UNTAET personnel and facilities

* Conducting search and rescue operations

* Providing humanitarian assistance to the East Timorese people

The ACF was successful in its mission, and was withdrawn from East Timor in 2001. The taskforce's deployment was a significant contribution to the restoration of peace and stability in East Timor.

The ACF was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its outstanding service in East Timor.