The Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, and the Commander, Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Lou Gardiner visited New Zealand Defence Force personnel serving in Afghanistan and the Middle East recently.
Their visit included observations of the activities being planned and conducted by the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, including support to the upcoming parliamentary elections. Air Marshal Ferguson made several defence diplomacy visits throughout the Middle East, and Major General Gardiner saw the work being done by the nine-member team of New Zealanders serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), and the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). The Kiwi UNTSO members help monitor the truce between Israel and the bordering countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
The MFO monitors the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt from the Sinai Peninsula.
Major General Gardiner visited the military observers at their remote outposts in the areas of separation between Israel and South Lebanon, and Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights. He held discussions with United Nations commanders in Damascus and Lebanon, and also with Major General Clive Lilley, the New Zealand Army officer who is Chief of Staff of UNTSO, and is based in Jerusalem.
In Egypt where the 26 New Zealanders are part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), Major General Gardiner spoke with the MFO Commander and the senior staff about the Mission and progress being made, as well as with New Zealand Defence personnel about the work they are doing. He was also taken by helicopter to the MFO’s most northern outpost near the Gaza Strip to observe the activities taking place.
CDF and COMJFNZ said their visits enabled them to see first-hand the work their personnel are doing, the conditions in which they are working, and the impact they are having in the region. Air Marshal Ferguson said he was impressed at the impact the New Zealanders are making, and by the comments made by military leaders with whom the Kiwis are working alongside.
The work being done by the NZ PRT was important, tangible, and much appreciated by local people who want peace, stability and security.
Major General Gardiner agreed.
"From my observations, and those of the commanders I spoke with, the NZDF personnel we have working there are effective, hard-working and resilient. They bring uniquely New Zealand characteristics and skills to the job at hand, and I was very proud of their professionalism in what are at times difficult, and often dangerous, conditions. New Zealanders can be confident that the performance of Defence personnel reflects well on New Zealand."
An article on CDF’s visit to the Middle East will appear in the next issue of Defence Update.
Major General Gardiner congratulates RNZAF driver AC Geoff Stainton, who received a commendation for his driving skills in the Sinai.