The Multi National Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt              

The MFO has been observing, reporting and verifying on the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Israel and Egypt since 1982—New Zealand has been in the Sinai with the MFO since its inception.  Although the MFO headquarters is in Rome, the majority of the 2,500 strong force is located at the two main camps (North and South) and around 30 remote sites on the Sinai Peninsula. 

LT Sarah Smith RNZN stands with the MFO Force Commander, Major General Warren Whiting.

by LT Sarah Smith

I ventured over to Sinai, Egypt in November last year with 14 other Kiwis (from all three Services). We were joining the 26-strong NZ Contingent (NZCON) serving in the Multi-National Force and Observers (MFO) for six months.

The NZCON, along with the majority of MFO personnel, are based in North Camp, El Gorah, which is so close to Israel that we could feel the explosions from any Israeli air raids on Gaza. South Camp is located right in the middle of Sharm El Sheikh, one of the most famous diving spots in the world and a favourite with Russian and UK tourists. 

The Force

The majority of the Force is made up of Fijian, Colombian and US Battalions, who man the remote sites and report any possible violations of the Treaty. The Italian Navy also has a contingent and provide three Esploratore-class patrol vessels which monitor the Straits of Tiran and the Red Sea. The other contingents are from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Norway and Uruguay. The NZCON, although small, provides important transport, training and staff functions in the MFO.

 For the six months I was in the Sinai, I was Aide-de-Camp to the Force Commander (FC). This role included running the FC’s calendar and appointments, arranging social events and hosting guests, organising travel and transport, liaison with internal and external agencies and administering correspondence. I had the opportunity to work for two FCs, as on 1 March Norwegian Major General Kjell Narve Ludvigsen handed command over to Major General Warren Whiting from the NZ Army. Although the job was challenging and very busy at times, I also got the chance to meet some fascinating people and experience some once-in-a-life-time opportunities. 

One thing I wasn’t expecting was the number of parades that take place at the MFO.  Every rotation from each of the 12 contributing nations has an MFO Medals Parade prior to their departure from Sinai. NZCON parades are always the most popular for spectators because we conclude our ceremonies with a Haka.

Maori culture was prevalent in a lot of our NZCON activities, which included Powhiris and Poroporoakes for the welcoming and farewell of NZ rotations, diplomats and politicians. On Waitangi Day, we showed off the best of NZ culture, wine and food (all sponsored and sent over by NZ companies) to the wider MFO community. I think we were more excited to get a taste of home than our guests!

Rugby

One special experience was the rugby competition in Alexandria. The MFO entered both a men’s and a women’s team. The games were played in the middle of the desert on a lonely patch of grass on the outskirts of Alexandria. Bedouin life continued around us as normal while the games were being played. Locals relocated their sheep and goats from one area to another, and some even took some time out to stop and watch.

The MFO men’s team (comprising Kiwis and Fijians) obliterated all competition to take out the competition! Our women’s team had a much more international flavour with players from NZ, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Hungary and the USA. They finished the competition in 2nd place on a points difference; a massive achievement considering only one player had ever played rugby before. Our players were super nervous leading into the first game but, what a transformation! Our girls looked like seasoned Black Ferns by the end of the tournament—sporting black eyes and bruises to prove it! (I was happy to support from the safety of the sideline!)

The six months just flew by. It really was a great opportunity to be involved in a truly multinational, multi-service organisation. I had some wonderful experiences and met some awesome people.  Visiting the pyramids and the chaotic Cairo markets, wandering through Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and floating in the Dead Sea, were definite highlights! The opportunity to serve in an organisation like the MFO is one that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone.