SUPPORT THE FORCE
by Captain M T E Hutchings
The abbreviation MFO can mean different things to different people. To the majority it means Military Freight Organisation, or perhaps only its associated cardboard and wooden boxes. To the minority it means something very different, the Multinational Force and Observers. A unique peacekeeping force located in the desert regions of the Sinai Peninsula. Even after eight years many people are still unaware of the MFO existence and its mission, believing that all peacekeeping forces come under the auspices of the United Nations. For the wearers of the distinctive Orange Berets this is not the case; as its chequered history states.
Following the October war in 1973 Egypt and Israel, realising that the social and economic costs associated with continued warfare were too high to bear, initiated a period of military disengagement in Sinai. Assistance from the United Nations, in the form of the Sinai Field Mission (SFM), enabled a new relationship between Egypt and Israel to emerge and a basis on which to build a lasting peace. Following the signing of the Camp David Accords, the first peace treaty was signed between Egypt and Israel on 26 March 1979; thus ending the state of war that had existed between the two nations since 1948. Efforts were made to secure a United Nations Force and Observers Unit to implement the 'Treaty of Peace', but after two years the President of the Security Council announced that this would not be possible. The United States decided to take the initiative and reached an agreement with Egypt and Israel that would serve as a basis for creating a peacekeeping organisation outside the United Nations. Negotiations continued against the backdrop of the phased Israeli withdrawal from Sinai and culminated in the signing of the Protocol to the Treaty of Peace on 3 August 1981. This established the Multinational Force and Observers.
The primary responsibility of the MFO is to supervise the implementation of the Treaty regime within four parallel zones running north to south, down the Sinai Peninsula. Within each of these zones certain military restrictions were agreed upon, thus providing the maximum security to both parties. In addition the MFO verifies and reports treaty
The author inPetra (Mt e Hutchings).
violations and confirms that reported violations have been rectified. However, it is the role of the Civilian Observer Unit, provided by the USA, to carry out reconnaissance and verification missions ensuring that both parties have complied with treaty limitations concerning personnel, armament and military deployments.
Today this unique multinational organisation continues to fulfil its role with its headquarters situated on an old Israeli fighter base. El Gorah in the North Sinai Desert. It stands as one of the many war memorials alongside the charred hulks of armoured vehicles looking very much the same as they did the day they burned. The wars of the past continue to claim victims as many minefields remain, often moving with the sands, making off-route walking and driving extremely hazardous. El Gorah, or North Camp as it is called, is the home of the resident Colombian and Fijian infantry -battalions. To assist them are many support elements including the French Fixed Wing Aviation Unit, Canadian Air Traffic Control Staff, the majority of a US Support Battalion, the Uruguayan Transport and Engineer Unit, Dutch Signal and Military Police Detachments, not to mention the New Zealand Training and Advisory Team and US Civilian Observers; some 2,500 men and women.
It can be difficult to imagine what could be left for the British to do amongst such a plethora of different nationalities and responsibilities. However, not surprisingly the
British contingent's contribution is small in terms of numbers but certainly not in terms of responsibilities. This contingent, six officers and 24 soldiers strong,
provides the administrative,clerical and logistical support to the Force staff. Since the headquarters comprises officers from all the contributing nations, the British have the difficult task of dealing with six languages, eleven nations and 24 ways of doing things. Fortunately the contingent is blessed with the necessary tact, diplomacy and professional management skills to deal with most situations!
To the south of the Sinai Peninsula, near Sharm el Sheik, some 450km away, is the home of the US Infantry Battalion, the support battalion's forward supply company and aviation detachment, including a three-ship coastal patrol unit. It is often interesting to know how outsiders view this rather complex organisation. The extract below, taken from a recently published guide book 'Egypt, A Travel Survival Kit',, provides an interesting summary:
'Basically, however, the MFO spend their days going to the beach in between counting jeeps, tanks, Bedouin camels and other modes of transport'.
This rather idyllic image is very far from reality, sadly! In truth the MFO carries out its tasks in a very isolated and harsh environment, varying from the relative comfort of the two main camps to the more spartan conditions of the observation and check points. ls it any wonder that the British contingent remains as the headquarters element?
As the aide-de-camp to the Force Commander, Lieutenant General D S Mclver OBE, from New Zealand, I was very fortunate to come into contact with all aspects of the MFO, including much liaison with their respective staff and department heads. The life of the ADC was far from routine and certainly did not comprise solely of bringing the General his tea and newspaper, as many junior officers may imagine. The daily schedule was as hectic as any headquarters, with work starting at seven o'clock in the morning and not finishing until at least half past six in the evening;
not quite the holiday in the sun one dreams of! Naturally, with the arrival of the Force Commander the daily briefings and appointments would be tackled and problem areas smoothed out, Insha'allah (God willing)!
44
TANK JOURNAL
The author (L) accompanies Lt Gen Mclver at a medal parade for the Dutchcontingent (mteHutchings)
Almost weekly there would be a formal ceremonial parade; whether it be for the presentation of the MFO medal or some contingent's national celebration. They were always very impressive and certainly very different to the typical British parade one was used to. The variety of uniforms and colours was tremendous, ranging from the Fijian and Maori warriors, in their traditional dress, to the United States 'Choc Chip' desert combats. Having eleven different nations meant eleven different parade formats, which in turn ensured that protocol matters were sufficiently complicated to confuse almost everyone, with the exception of the senior staff, ADC and Force Sergeant Major. Fortunately however, one could also sample the culinary delights of eleven different countries; a great opportunity for putting on those extra unwanted pounds!
Sinai, not surprisingly, proved to be a popular staging post for passing Generals and Members of State. The constant co-ordination and juggling of visit programmes kept one on one's toes, especially as more often than not they would overlap with one another. During the final week of the tour the Chief of General Staff New Zealand Army, the Commander Allied Forces Europe (South), the Commandant of the Fijian Officers School and the Director General MFO (Rome) all decided that the first week of July was the time to visit El Gorah. Fortunately, apart from a few grey hairs, the week passed without major incident.
Travel featured quite heavily on
the schedule; The Force Commander, like all commanders, wished to be 'out and about' as much as possible. As a result of the distances to, and isolated situation of many of the permanent observation posts, much of the traveling took place in the US Single Huey or French Twin Otter. This gave one the wonderful opportunity of seeing the Sinai Desert and Red Sandstone Mountains from the air;a view which one could never tire of. There was always something interesting and different to look at, whether it was a Bedouin camel caravan, a pair of migrating eagles, or tourists sunbathing at Eilat. Every three months a series of bilateral meetings would be set up to discuss any pressing problems between the MFO and the two signatory states to the peace treaty. Hence, in addition, there was a certain amount of travel to and from Israel. Unfortunately, opportunities to travel further afield have been significantly reduced, due to budget constraints; thus stories of the Force Commander with his ADC carrying out world tours are for the time being a thing of the past.
However, during the tour's three-week leave period, opportunities to travel were almost unlimited, particularly with Jordan and Israel only a short journey away. Special rates given by many of the large major hotel companies ensured that the only accommodation problems were over deciding whether it was going to be the Hilton or Sheraton. Even the travel agents provided very reasonable
rates so that enjoying those 'Death on the Nile' cruise moments were quite affordable.
Facilities within the MFO were certainly not as limited as one might expect of an organisation based in the middle of the desert. Accommodation took the form of a portacabin but these were surprisingly comfortable and certainly more than adequate, so long as you don't mind cockroaches and scorpions. The food was generally excellent considering the dining facility was attempting to please such a varied clientele. Perhaps not all tastes were catered for but when has one been on field conditions whilst eating lobster tails? In addition one could enjoy the swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium and other sporting facilities. With a distance of some 50km to the nearest town, these sporting facilities were in great demand for recreation during the weekday evenings. Inter-contingent competitions proved to be very competitive and very amusing. It is not often one sees a Fijian team play a Colombian team at indoor hockey using ice hockey sticks;
not surprisingly the Canadians excelled at this sport, putting everyone else to shame.
Inevitably, the success of any organisation relies mainly upon the attitude of the people who make up its composition; the MFO is no exception to this. Although the majority of troops only serve tours from two to twelve months, the high morale and high level of co-operation ensure that this peacekeeping mission continues to achieve its aim. For anyone looking for a very interesting and unique short tour, a posting to the Multinational Force and Observers of Sinai must be high on the priority list. So, if the opportunity arises 'Support the Force'.
NOVEMBER 1990
45
THE FIRST DISCOVER
THE AMERICAS
by Captain DMA Couzens
Plans are now well under way for an ambitious series of adventure training expeditions that will see over 100 members of The First taking part in expeditions throughout South, Central and North America. The expedition was dreamt up as a way of making the best use of the annual grant from the Worshipful Company of Vintners. The Regiment had two options, the first was to use the grant to fund one exotic expedition involving a limited number of members of the Regiment. The second was to use the grant as the starting point for a series of expeditions involving as many soldiers as possible. Exercise IRONSIDES DIAMOND was born.
After much thumbing through the Officers' Mess atlas the adventure training officer finally discovered America, geography was never one of his strong points. A plan began to take shape, the exercise would start in Belize in early 1991 and then fan north and south ending on the southern tip of Chile and the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Canada's North West Territories, nearly two years later. Detailed planning continued and a route was found through the more interesting and challenging areas of North and South America, subalterns volunteered for each leg and are at this very moment beaver ing away at the detailed planning required for each expedition.
The exercise starts in February 1991 in Belize, Second Lieutenant Worsdell leading off with a dramatic descent, through the jungle, of the River Sibun by inflatable. Starting slightly later but remaining in Belize Second Lieutenant Rush will lead a sub-aqua expedition to the coral reefs off the coast. A fairly straightforward expedition, the intention will be to raise the overall level of diving experience within the Regiment in order to allow a Regimental club to become established. Fresh from climbing Mont Blanc as part of Exercise MONTE BIANCO, Captain Osborne will then lead a mountaineering expedition to the volcanoes of Mexico including Popacatapetl, a name that strikes fear into the heart of the Adjutant every time that he has to brief anyone on the exercise.
Starting the first of five American expeditions Lieutenant Gash will return, hot foot from his honeymoon, to lead a horse-packing expedition from the Mexican border, north through the deserts and canyons of New Mexico to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Taking over the reins, Second Lieutenant Cleverly will than lead a high level trek along the Great Divide Trail as tar as the northern border of Colorado, where Lieutenant Gritt will take over. He will lead a further trekking expedition through the mountains of Wyoming ending on the edge of the Yellowstone National Park. The next expedition takes to the water with the new adventure training officer. Lieutenant Budd. This expedition will canoe the Snake River from Yellowstone down to below the aptly named Hell's Canyon on the Oregon border. The final American expedition will take place in August 1991 in the Cascade mountain range in Washington State, inland from Seattle and just below the Canadian border.
Heading south from Belize it is hoped to organise an expedition in Ecuador before moving to Chile where Lieutenant Davies will capitalise on his experience as a project leader for Operation RALEIGH and lead a trekking expedition to the remote and mountainous Torres Del Faine National Park, an area of towering mountains and countless glaciers.
Returning to the north, 1991 will see a further two expeditions in Southern Canada. The first will be a traverse of Vancouver Island. Starting by trekking the West Coast Trail the team, led by Captain Laver, will then head inland through the rugged mountains and glaciers of the interior to emerge on the Eastern coast at Campbell River. At the same time Lieutenant Jones will be leading a small group sailing north from Vancouver along the fjords of British Columbia to drop a trekking party off on the inaccessible coastline. They will then be picked up further North and returned to Vancouver.
1992 will see the Regiment on the Alaskan border, with a trek across the coastal mountains to Dease Lake on the main Edmonton to Alaska Highway the only feasible way out. The penultimate expedition will be a canoeing trip from the source of the Dease River at Dease Lake in northern British Columbia, to its junction with the Liard River and then on to Fort Simpson in the North West Territories where the Liard joins the Mackensie River. This extremely arduous expedition will see members of the Regiment canoeing some of the remotest and wildest areas of Canada, the only way in or out being by canoe. The final expedition will see the Regiment racing the snows of the Arctic winter as they descend the Mackensie River across the Arctic Circle to emerge on the northern coast of Canada at Tuktoyaktuk.
Each expedition will be led and organised by a troop leader and will take between six and eight team members. The overall costs will be large at around £72.000 for the 120 soldiers taking part. It is hoped, however, to keep the personal contributions of the soldiers down to about £300 each, although this may need to be increased for some of the more remote expeditions. The remainder will be made up from Army grants, funds and regimental funds. It is hoped, however, to gain much of the money through sponsorship. If anybody is interested in sponsoring a soldier, an expedition or the whole exercise orwould simply like more information about the expeditions the Adjutant, Captain David Couzens, would love to hear from you.
TANK JOURNAL
CYPRUS SO FAR
by Captain I J P Nunan
With a large part of 1 RTR due to deploy to Cyprus in November as T (Tank) Squadron in support of The Queen's Own Hussars, mystery still surrounds many of the details about the task,