Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) 1982 - Present
Op Mazurka (1993 - Present)
Australian Deployment Dates: 9 February 1982 to 28 April 1986; 6 January 1993 to Present.
Strength: 1,152 personnel (1982-1986) consisting 8 UH-1H helicopters with 144 personnel on six-month tours. 5 Army and 2 RAAF officers worked at HQ MFO. Approximately 676 personnel (1993 to present) 26 -strong contingent at HQ MFO.
Area of Operations (AO): The Arab Republic of Egypt (ARE), and Israel.
Purpose: The MFO was established to supervise the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. Under the Accords, Israel withdrew from the Egyptian territory it had occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The MFO was created outside the framework of the UN because the Soviet Union was opposed to UN involvement. The MFO is governed by the US State Department and is headquartered in Rome
Comments: Australia and New Zealand contributed to the MFO at the outset by providing the Force's Rotary Wing Aviation Unit (RWAU). The ADF provided a joint RAN / Army / RAAF detachment, comprising 8 UH-1H helicopters. The Contingent was withdrawn in April 1986 as the government sought to reduce Australia's peacekeeping commitments.
On 8 January 1993 the ADF returned to the Sinai again. A 26 strong contingent of HQ staff and MP's initially on 12 month tours, then reduced to 6 - 9 month tours, rejoined the MFO following a review of the government's position.
The MFO Force Component was commanded by Australian Major General David Ferguson,
AM, CSC; during the period 1995-1998.
Veteran Entitlement Act (VEA) :
Schedule 3; 18 February 1983 onward.
Service Type: Non-warlike.
Gazette: S27 of 23 Jan 97
Awards & Qualifying Periods:
 ASM 75 + |
 MFO Medal |