Operation Mazurka

{{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Infobox military operation |name = Operation Mazurka |partof = Multinational Force and Observers |location = Sinai Peninsula |location2 = |planned_by = |commanded_by = |objective = Overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel |target = |date = |time = |time-begin = {{start date|1981}} |time-end = ongoing |timezone = |executed_by = Australia |outcome = |casualties = |fatalities = |injuries = }}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} '''Operation Mazurka''' is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an international peacekeeping force, based in the Sinai Peninsula, overseeing the terms of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.<ref>[http://www.army.gov.au/OpMazurka/ Australian Army official Operation Mazurka site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711105913/http://www.army.gov.au/OpMazurka/ |date=2009-07-11 }} note Chronology August 1994</ref>

The MFO operates from two secure bases: * North Camp, located at El Gorah in the Northern Sinai, and * South Camp, located at Sharm el-Sheikh. The Australian personnel operate predominantly in South Camp.

Australia was an original contributor to the MFO with a joint Australian-New Zealand rotary wing squadron deployed in 1981. In 1993, Australia returned to the MFO with an ADF contingent of 25 personnel. Since that time approximately 1,200 personnel have deployed on Operation Mazurka.<ref>[http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories_war=PK_id=186.html Australians at War Operation Mazurka story]</ref><ref>[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/former-sergeant-fighting-a-culture-of-cover-ups/story-e6frea6u-1226038814047 Australian Operation Mazurka Contingent hit and run incident in 1994] also see Chronology August 1994 at Multinational Force and Observers</ref> The ADF contingent operates on a 6 monthly posting cycle, with a part of the contingent rotating every 3 months.<ref name=web>[http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/20050901/groups/cjo.htm Op Mazurka], ''Defence'' magazine, Sept 2005, accessed 5 June 2009</ref>

==Role== The mission of the MFO is: <blockquote>"...to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms."<ref>[http://www.mfo.org/ Multinational Force and Observers Website], accessed 30 August 2007</ref></blockquote>

The ADF contingent performs various staff functions in the MFO Headquarters, as well as providing the Force Regimental Signals Officer, Security Sergeants to work with the Colombian Infantry Battalion for the base security at North Camp and Operational and Training staff to the MFO.<ref name=web/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Mazurka Category:Multinational Force and Observers