I was flying out of Dili, East Timor in 2008, one early morning, still dark outside, I departed the easterly runway in the Super Puma helicopter. As I was went through Vtoss, I bought the nose up and search light, I caught sight of a "local" with a bamboo pole covered in copper wire. He was 20' infant of the aircraft and I had the nose wheel almost hit his head. It was common for the locals to rain the airport beacon and remove anything of value.