Peacekeeping

Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veteran Association

Patron: Major General John Pearn AM RFD
Surgeon General Australian Defence Force

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE INVOLVEMENT IN
PEACEMAKING AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

From 1947 to the PRESENT DAY

The Australian Defence Force (ADF), has been involved in peacekeeping since 1947. The mission in 1947 is known as the first peacekeeping operation conducted using Military Observers, that being the United Nations Good Offices Commission to Indonesia (UNCI). The Australian commitment of this mission was up to 15 Military Observer Officers.

Since UNCI, the ADF has been extensively involved in UN missions. Of a recent note, ADF personnel were involved in the United Nations Advance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), fulfilling the role of Military Liaison Officers (MLOs). Events that have taken place since the successful Election of the people of East Timor has seen a more rigorous approach by the Australian Government. These approaches are intended to ensure the safety and democracy of the East Timorese, by deploying a 4500 Strong contingent to conduct Peacemaking Operations. This force is to be known as the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET).

It is envisaged that after law and peace is re-established in East Timor, the UN will then be fulfilling a Peacekeeping Operation for a number of years, with a large commitment of ADF personnel.

To monitor ceasefires and ensure the peace between Dutch and Indonesian nationalists, during the Indonesian Republic/Dutch East Indies war of 1947.

To supervise the first ceasefire between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, and has remained in place ever since, as Kashmir remains 'territory in dispute' under international law. Australia provided 6 man Observer teams serving one or two year tours of duty. During the Vietnam War, Army reservists were used to man the contingent, as the army's resources were stretched - fighting in the Vietnam War.

Of note, the first and longest serving commander of UNMOGIP was Australian Major General (later Lieutenant General), R.H. Nimmo CBE, who was appointed the Chief Military Observer (CMO) UNMOGIP in October 1950, and he remained in command until his death on 4 January 1966. His 15 year command is a UN record and one unlikely to ever be broken.

In March 1975 to January 1979, an RAAF DHC-4 Caribou from the 38^TH Squadron, comprising 12 men, conducted operations in support of UNMOGIP.

In 1985 the contingent was withdrawn because the government considered Australia was overcommitted to the UN at that time.

UNCOK was originally established in 1948 as a diplomatic mission to monitor the withdrawal of WWII occupation forces from Korea, an provide UN good offices for unification of the two regimes fostered by the USA and USSR as occupying powers. In May 1950, war loomed on the still divided Korean peninsula and UNCOK was supplemented by military observers to undertake monitoring activities in the field.

By the eve of hostilities, only two Australian Observers, Major F.S.B Peach and Squadron Leader R.J. Rankin, were on the ground in Korea. Whilst Australia's smallest peacekeeping contingents, it was one of the most important since they were the only UNCOK observers in place when North Korea invaded South Korea in late June 1950. Their thorough report proved that North Korea had initiated hostilities and provided the evidence needed for the UN to intervene in South Korea.

Strength: one Aircraft Carrier (HMAS Sydney), two destroyers, two Infantry Battalions with supporting arms and services, and a fighter squadron with supporting services. Collectively several thousand.

UNC-K was the UN's first peace restoration operation. An armistice was concluded in 1953. By the time the Australian commitment formally ended in 1956, 339 Australians had been killed, over 1,200 wounded and 29 had become prisoners of war.

UNCMAC was established in 1953 to represent the UN as a signatory to the armistice between the UN and North Korea, as well as to monitor the armistice. Australia's contribution is one senior service officer. Since 1956 Australia's UNCMAC responsibilities have been conducted by the Defence Attache at the Australian Embassy in Seoul.

Strength: 13 - Continual 12 month tours - Collectively it is estimated that 342 Australian Army Officers have
deployed on UNTSO.

In April 1948 a Truce Commission was established to supervise the various armistices and truces after the first Arab-Israeli War. In mid-June 1948 military observers were added to the Commission and UNTSO was formed, becoming an independent observer mission in mid-August 1949. UNTSO has continued to supervise subsequent ceasefires after the 1956, 1967, 1973 and 1982 Arab-Israeli Wars. UNTSO's area of operations covers Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan and Egypt.

On 12 January, 1988, Captain Peter McCarthy, Royal Australian Corps of Transport, became the twenty-second UNTSO soldier to be killed in action when his jeep was blown up by a landmine during a patrol in southern Lebanon. Other Australians serving with the Observer Group Lebanon have been kidnapped and maltreated by irregular militias.

In mid-1960, the newly independent Republic of the Congo began to disintegrate as a viable state and the former colonial power, Belgium, intervened to protect the large number of its citizens remaining there. ONUC was established to assist the Congolese government restore law and order and to supervise the withdrawal of Belgian forces.

Australia's contribution was an Army medical team of three personnel was seconded to the International Red Cross though the Australian Red Cross and deployed to Bakwanga in the Congo to support ONUC's efforts at national rehabilitation. Team members returned to Australia in December 1960 and February 1961.

Strength: Detachment from 16 Army Light Aircraft Squadron, consisting of four Army pilots, seven RAAF ground crew and two Sioux helicopters.

In early 1962 Indonesian forces landed in the disputed territory of West New Guinea, which was then under Dutch control. Following the cessation of hostilities between Indonesia and the Netherlands, UNTEA was established in October 1962 to supervise the transfer of West New Guinea from Dutch to Indonesian administration.

Australia's Helicopter team, joined UNTEA to assist with the conduct of a cholera eradication program. The detachment was withdrawn near the end of the program after one of the helicopters crashed.

In September, 1965, the UN negotiated a ceasefire to end the second Indo-Pakistan war and established UNIPOM to assist UNMOGIP in supervising the ceasefire and withdrawal of forces along the India-Pakistan border. This di not include Kashmir, which remained an UNMOGIP responsibility. Lieutenant General Nimmo, the Australian CMO of UNMOGIP, was appointed acting CMO UNIPOM until a separate CMO was available. When this occurred in October 1965, UN HQ delegated Nimmo oversight of both missions due to their close relationship.

Strength: 46-man Detachment from 5 Squadron RAAF, operating four UH-1H Iroquois helicopters on six month tours. Army provided a staff officer on a twelve month tour to HQ UNEF and also a Warrant Officer. Total Strength estimated at 280 personnel.

In October 1973, the UN established UNEF II to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula. Australia contributed four UH-1H choppers complete with crew, a staff officer and Warrant Officer on the UNEF HQ Staff. The operation was wound down in August 1979.

In December 1979, the CMF was established by the Commonwealth to supervise the implementation of the Lancaster House Agreement between the government of Southern Rhodesia and the guerilla forces of the Patriotic Front. Under the agreement UK authority was restored over its rebellious colony, a ceasefire implemented, a general election held and independence achieved by the new Republic of Zimbabwe. The CMF was tasked with monitoring the agreement and resembled a UN observer mission except that its duties were more extensive, it enjoyed municipal backing and its personnel were armed.

The Australians were largely spread throughout the force which consisted of a HQ and 3 Groups.

Strength: 8 UH-1H helicopters with 89 personnel on six-month tours. 5 army and 2 RAAF officers worked at HQ MFO. (1982-1986). 26 -strong contingent of HQ staff and MP on 6 month tours. (1993-present) Total contribution: 1,272 and continuing.

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.

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 on initially 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.

In early August 1988 the UN established UNIIMOG to supervise the ceasefire between Iran and Iraq at the end of their eight year long war, known as the First Gulf War. Australia's involvement began with the temporary secondment of an observer from UNTSO, followed by a fifteen-man contingent from Australia four days later on 16 August. All the Australians served on the Iranian side of the ceasefire line because Iraq vetoed an Australian presence in Iraqi held territory. This was due to the fact that an Australian government scientist, Dr Peter Dunn, was a member of the UN team that had proved Iraqi use of chemical weapons during three inspections in the 1984-87 period..

UNIIMOG service was particularly arduous due to a combination of a volatile ceasefire, climatic extremes, harsh terrain, primitive operational conditions, and the stress and social deprivation experienced by Westerners in a fundamentalist Islamic society.

On 10 December 1990, the contingent was withdrawn due to UN endorsed military operations against Iraq prior to the Gulf War.

Strength: 613, mostly Royal Australian Engineers from 17 Construction Squadron, with on RAAF officer, 5 man Military Police Detachment, 3 man Signals Detachment and 14 New Zealand Personnel.

In April 1989, the UN established UNTAG in Namibia, South Western Africa, and to limited extent in neighbouring countries in order to supervise the return of refugees, the holding of a general election, the withdrawal of South African forces and Namibia's transition to independence.

The Australian Contingent mainly consisted of Army Engineers. From 26 October to 20 November 1989, the Australian Electoral Commission provided an electoral organisation expert and 27 electoral supervisors - the Australian Federal Police contributed a fingerprint expert - in order to assist in the conduct of the general election in early November.

The Australians were vital to the success of the mission as the Australian engineer and British signals advance parties were the only troops on the ground when the ceasefire collapsed in early April 1989. They were hurriedly redeployed to bolster a renegotiated ceasefire by supervising the withdrawal of SWAPO guerillas from Namibia. The Second contingent's engineering and local security activities were also instrumental in the successful return of thousands of refugees and the conduct of the general election.

Strength: RAN Task Group - HMAS Adelaide, Darwin and Success, 8 man Air Defence Detachment from 16 AD Regt, RAN Logistic Support Element established at Muscat in Oman (13 strong), an Liaison Officer attached to the senior US commander afloat in the area - Total estimated to be approx 1000 service personnel.

The Second Gulf War began on 2 August 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. In response the UN Security Council passed Resolution 660 demanding Iraq withdraw. On 26 August, Resolution 665 called on UN members to contribute naval forces to assist in implementing the trade sanctions from Resolution 665. Australian contributed to a Navel Task Group of 3 ships, LO and Logistics support.

By the end of December 1990, MIF I had conducted 6,945 interceptions of merchant vessels, including 487 boardings to check for illicit cargo, and 35 ships had been diverted to non Iraqi ports. The Australian Task Group conducted a significant share of these operations with 1,627 interrogations, 11 interceptions, 8 boardings and 2 diversions.

Strength: approx 1,000, including HMA Ships Adelaide, Darwin, Success, Westralia, Sydney, Clearance Diving Team 3, Medical teams on board US navy Hospital ships in the area, plus a further composition of 18 ADF personnel who served with US and British Land, Sea and Air forces, and a 10 person Army/RAAF intelligence detachment was attached to the US HQ Central Command.

On 29 November 1990 Resolution 678 gave Iraq six weeks to withdraw from Kuwait and authorised UN members to 'use all necessary means' if Iraq failed to comply. The UN -sanctioned peace restoration operation to liberate Kuwait commenced with air and maritime campaigns in the early morning of 17 January 1991.

Australia with it's pre-positioned Ships operating in the Gulf and Red Sea areas were included into the operation. Further additions of Clearance Diving Teams, Intelligence and Medical and Surgical support were also involved. 18 ADF personnel that were posted to various British and US units on exchange postings deployed with their parent unit to the Gulf.

Following the liberation of Kuwait UN sanctions continued against Iraq because it continued to defy Security Council Resolutions. HMAS Westralia remained in the Arabian Gulf supporting these sanctions and was replaced by HMAS Darwin in mid June 1991. In October 1991, Darwin was replaced by HMAS Sydney.

Since then HMAS Darwin, Canberra Sydney and more recently - HMAS Melbourne (Apr-Sep 99) have rotated on six-months tours of duty.

Since Spain's unilateral withdrawal from the Western Sahara territory in 1975, the Saharawi people have fiercely resisted annexation by neighbouring Morocco. MINURSO was established in September 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and supervise a referendum on whether the Saharawi people wanted independence or incorporation into Morocco.

Australia provided the mission's 45-strong Force Communications Unit, until the end of 1994, when the Australian Government withdrew the Unit. The contingent was dispersed over four areas and operated in exceptionally harsh climatic and environmental conditions. The referendum has been postponed several times and is yet to occur. On 21 June 1993, an Army Doctor, Major Susan Felsche, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, became the first Australian female soldier to die in a multinational peacekeeping operation when she was killed in an aircraft crash.

MINURSO has yet to have it's referendum, and it is perceived that Australian will again take on the role of the Force Communications Unit in the future.

UN Advanced Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC)/UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC): 1991-1993

Strength: 1,215 ADF personnel - 65 pers of the UNAMIC Contingent, mainly consisting of the 2^nd Signal Regiment on 12 month tour of duty, New Zealand communications staff (45 personnel on 6 month tours) collectively forming the Force Communications Unit (FCU UNTAC comprised 545 personnel from 1992-1993). Movement Control Group of 30 ADF Personnel. One Blackhawk Helicopter Squadron accompanied by an Infantry Protection Platoon.

In October 1991, prior to UNTAC being formally established, Australia contributed a 65-strong communications unit to its precursor, the UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC). On UNTAC's establishment, the ADF Contingent increased to 502 personnel, comprising 488 Force Communications Unit (FCU) and 14 staff on HQ UNTAC. The FCU was originally based on the 2^nd Signal Regiment but reinforced from any other units, including 20 personnel each from the RAN and the RAAF. 45 New Zealand personnel also bolstered the FCU. The FCU was spread across 56 locations throughout Cambodia.

UNTAC was established under the 1991 Paris Agreements to supervise a ceasefire and a general election in Cambodia. UNTAC's Military component consisted of 16,000 personnel from 32 countries. The Force Commander of this highly demanding and complex operation was Lieutenant General J.M. Sanderson AC.

UN Protection Force in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia (UNPROFOR): 1992 - 1994

In mid-January 1992, following the outbreak of serious fighting as the Yugoslav federation disintegrated, the UN established the UN Mission of Liaison Officers in Yugoslavia (UNMLOY). This became UNPROFOR in June 1992. Australia's involvement began from the start when Colonel (later Brigadier) J.B. Wilson, then serving as Chief of Staff HQ UNTSO, was seconded to command UNMLOY on 11 January 1992.

Brigadier Wilson, served as Chief Military Observer (CMO) of UNPROFOR's Observer Group until December 1992.

In late 1990 and throughout 1991, Somalia collapsed into clan warfare and then civil war. As 1992 progressed the civil war worsened and the country effectively ceased to function as an organised nation state. Mass starvation and anarchy followed.

Beginning tentatively in September 1992, the UN stepped in to protect the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to reconstitute Somalia as a functioning political, social and economic entity.

On 20 October 1992, the 30 Strong ADF Movement Control Unit (MCU) arrived in Somalia to assist UNOSOM I cope with the influx of assigned forces.

By late 1992, the catastrophic situation in Somalia had outstripped the UN's ability to quickly restore peace and stability, mainly because the UN was hamstrung by insufficient forces and UN peacekeeping principles and methods could not cope with the need to sue force in such complex situations. On 3 December 1992, UN Security Council Resolution 794 authorised a coalition of UN members led by the US to form UNITAF and intervene to protect the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restore peace.

Australian deployed a Battalion plus Supporting elements, including a Squadron of Armoured Personnel Carriers, HQ Staff, Engineers, Communications and Electronic Warfare, and Administrative elements and HMAS Tobruk. The RAAF were also used to move the Australian Forces to and from the Area of Operations from Australia and conducted regular resupply missions.

The Battalion group operated the 17,000 square kilometre Baidoa Humanitarian Relief Sector in southwestern Somalia. The Battalion group was very successful at fostering and protecting humanitarian relief efforts and won widespread international praise for its efforts in restoring law and order and re-establishing functional legal, social and economic systems. On 2 April 1993, Lance Corporal Shannon McAliney, Royal Australian Infantry, was accidentally shot dead on patrol during these operations.

Strength: 36 Movements and Air Traffic Control Staff, 12 man Ready Reaction Security Team (mainly SAS) and some HQ staff - total of 50 personnel per tour of duty - totalling to approx 250.

On 5 May 1993, UNITAF handed over to a reinforced UNOSOM II. The Australian Battalion Group withdrew to Australia. The ADF Contingent provided Movement control, Air Traffic Control, some HQ Staff and a Ready Reaction Security Team of the Mogadishu airport (mainly SAS). The Australian Force was withdrawn in 1996.

The UNMCTT originally consisted of contingents from nine countries, but only Australia remained by 1992. Its activities are conducted under the auspices of the Geneva based UN Coordinator for Afghanistan (UNOCA).

The original purpose was to train Pakistan based Afghan refugees in mine and ordnance recognition and basic clearance techniques. In January 1991, this broadened to include the planning and supervision of mine clearance activities in Afghanistan.

In July 1993, Australia announced it would withdraw from HQ UNOCA and extracted its teams in December 1993.

Strength: Between 2 and 6 ADF personnel on 3 - 6 month tours. Approx total contribution is 96 personnel.

In April 1991 Resolution 687 imposed a peace agreement and disarmament provisions on Iraq and established a UN Special Commission. UNSCOM was tasked with locating and supervising the destruction of Iraqi nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction capabilities.

Australia deployed between 2 and 6 ADF personnel and scientific experts to UNSCOM on three to six month tours. The Commission wound up operations in 1999, due to controversial circumstances that the US and British used spying methods to detect the Iraqi Weapons of mass destruction. At the centre of the controversy, was UNSCOM's Commissioner - Australian Richard Butler.

Following the ceasefire in UN endorsed military operations against Iraq, Resolution 688 authorised humanitarian assistance to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. Between 16 May and 16 Jun 1991, some 72 Army and 3 RAAF medical, dental, engineering and logistic personnel were deployed to Turkey and Iraq to assist Kurdish refugees.

Following the Disastrous Droughts in PNG, Australia contributed a Logistical force to provide food and medical relief to thousands of PNG people.

Apart from Operation Ples Dri, the ADF has continually assisted our Pacific Neighbours in Disaster relief operations. A recent deployment was the well known PNG Tsunami disaster, to which thousands of people were killed by a tidal wave caused by an Earth Quake in the Coral Sea.

These Operations are a continual commitment of the Australian Government to assist those neighbours in need of Assistance.

Operation BEL-ISI - Truce Monitoring Group and Peace Monitoring Group - Bougainville

Operation Bel-ISI is the Pacific Nations Truce and Peace Monitoring between the Bougainvillean Guerrillas and the PNG Defence Force in the disputed territory of Bougainville. The force comprises of Fiji, Vanuatu, Tongan, NZ, Australian and Solomon Islander Defence Forces.

The operation consists of approx 250 ADF logistical staff, including the HQ Peace Monitoring Group. Australian Defence Civilians have also deployed in the capacity of Observers. Electoral Commission personnel have also deployed.

A recent mission which saw the referendum of the East Timorese people to vote for Independence or Integration into Indonesia. The Election result was on overwhelming 4 to 1 vote for Independence from Indonesia.

Unfortunately Aitarak Militia and Indonesian Military have conducted horrendous crimes including rape, murder and destruction of East Timor, since the vote was recognised by the UN on 31 August 1999.

INTERFET is the Australian Government initiative to re-install law and order to East Timor. The Australian force will led the insertion of forces onto East Timor. Their mission was expected to continue until the UN is able to raise a Peacekeeping force - it is envisaged that this peacekeeping force will have a large Australian involvement.

Total Military personnel: Approximately 20, 890 personnel (to be adjusted after confirmation of Korean war figures)

This summary did not include the Cambodian Mine Action Centre mission (1993-1997) and the Ugandan Training Team(1980) total of approx 60 personnel.

Veterans Support and Advocacy Service Australia Inc.
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