Operation Paladin is Australia's contribution to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) that was established in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War.[1]
Involving Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, Australian personnel have supported this operation since 1956.[2] According to the Australian Department of Defence, "members of the Australian contingent may be employed in a variety of roles including staff officers in the UNTSO Headquarters in Jerusalem and military observers in a variety of locations".[1] On 12 January 1988, one officer assigned to the operation, Captain Peter McCarthy was killed when by a landmine while conducting a vehicle mounted patrol in southern Lebanon. Other Australians have also been kidnapped and assaulted during the course of their duties.[3]
In 1995, there were 13 personnel assigned to the operation, although in 2009 there were 11 personnel assigned, with the most senior being an Australian Army lieutenant colonel.[1] As of 2018, 12 personnel were assigned in an unarmed role.[4] As part of the rotation, Australians have on occasion also served as UNTSO chief of staff. Officers who have filled this role include Major Generals Ian Gordon and Tim Ford.[3][5]
Notes edit
- ^ a b c "Operation Paladin". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ Dennis et al (1995), p. 458
- ^ a b "Operations". Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ "Gone but not forgotten". Defence News. Department of Defence. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ "UN Secretary-General appoints MAJGEN Ian Gordon as COS UNTSO". United Nations. 22 November 2006. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
References edit
- Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (1st ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195532272.