Keeping an eyes-on in the Sinai

MFO members at the 87th Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba (Be’er Sheva) L-R WO1 Don Spinks, Sgt Nony Vaughan, Sgt Kym Farrow, Cpl Kylie McMurray, Sgt Craig Bayliss, Capt Chris Keogh, WO2 Leigh Storer, Lt-Col Craig Johnston, Sgt Glenn Armstrong, Maj Ashley Colmer, WO2 Stephen Hilton, Sgt David Nicholas, Sgt Adam Farrow, Sgt Peter Holmes, Capt Mick Armstrong. Photo provided by Capt Mick Armstrong

RECENT terrorist attacks on two resort towns in Egypt had a resounding effect on the Australian Contingent serving on Operation Mazurka with the Multinational Force & Observers in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

When the October 7 attacks occurred, personnel returned to the MFOs Ops Centre and began working the phones, accounting for staff as well as considering, preparing and coordinating their offer of assistance.

The Ops Centre, guided by Australian Sgt Rob King, processed information, reacted MFO assets throughout the Sinai and confirmed the terrorist strikes on three separate locations.

The Ops Centre also later organised MFO helicopters and engineers to provide assistance to the Egyptian and Israeli authorities rescuing survivors of the attacks that rocked the fragile 22-year peace in the Sinai.

The attacks occurred the day 24 Australians were awarded their ASMs in-country for service with the MFO, and occurred during celebrations marking the end of a six-and-a-half month tour of duty for 12 of the Australians.

The medal-parade included MFO RSM WO1 Don Spinks marching the Australian Contingent onto the MFO’s parade ground to the beat of the Fijian Infantry Battalion’s band, and Force Commander Maj-Gen Roberto Martinelli and Australian Contingent Commander Lt-Col Craig Johnston presenting the ASMs to the Australians in recognition of their time with the MFO.

Working across all areas of the MFO base at North Camp, near El Gorah, the Australians live and work alongside 2000 military and civilian staff who provide a buffer between Egypt and Israel.

The Australian MFO commitment began in the early 1980s by initially providing the Rotary Wing Aviation Unit alongside New Zealand.

The Australian Army has, since 1993, provided over 580 soldiers towards the MFO’s accomplishment of its mission, including one Force Commander, Maj-Gen David Ferguson, in the mid-1990s.

Be’er Sheva remembered

FIFTEEN Australians, four Kiwi’s and a Fijian, all working with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai, recently attended the 87th anniversary of the Battle of Be’er Sheva.

Be’er Sheva, in modern day Israel, is where on October 31, 1917, the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments charged their way into Australian military history by defeating the Turkish garrison stationed there.