The F-FDTL conducted its first operation in January 2003 when an army unit was called in to quell criminal activity caused by west Timorese militia gangs in the Ermera district.
F-FDTL melakukan operasi pertama pada Januari 2003 ketika satuan tentara dipanggil untuk memadamkan kegiatan kriminal yang disebabkan oleh barat geng milisi Timor di Ermera kabupaten.