Australian Army officer, Captain Michael O'Callaghan, joined a Colombian-led mobile observation team on patrol in the remote northern region of the Sinai, as part of Australia's long-standing commitment to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) mission.
The patrol was conducted in accordance with the MFO's mandate to supervise implementation of the Security Annex to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.
The MFO mission has contributed to regional stability for more than four decades. Australia is one of 22 current MFO Supporting States and has provided military personnel from 1982 to 1985 and from 1993 to the present.
Operating in tandem with civilian staff, aviators, naval personnel and troops from diverse national backgrounds, the Colombian contingent patrolled the Sinai Peninsula - an area marked by both harsh terrain and a complex operational environment.
As part of Australia's contribution to the MFO, ADF personnel are primarily employed in key security and staff roles at the MFO's two bases on the peninsula.
'It's a privilege to serve alongside such a professional and diverse group of people.'
These positions require close cooperation with international partners to facilitate real-time awareness, incident response and reporting.
"It's a privilege to serve alongside such a professional and diverse group of people," Captain O'Callaghan said.
"Working with the Colombian battalion in the field provided valuable insights into how different contingents operate, and reinforced the importance of our shared mission here in the Sinai."
ADF personnel in the Sinai are deployed under Operation Mazurka, which supports Australia's enduring commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.
The mission also provides ADF members with the opportunity to enhance their multinational interoperability, develop cultural awareness and operate in an austere environment.
The MFO remains a model for successful multinational cooperation, and Australia continues to play a key role in enabling its operational success and continuing relevance.
