DEAR PEACEKEEPERS ! MESSAGE FROM FORCE COMMANDER Welcoming the spring in Golan, the media team wishes It is a great honour for me and for my country everyone a “Happy Easter”. The cold and chilling weath- Nepal to assume the leadership of UNDOF, a mis- er of winter, the snow covered roads and roofs of Camp sion that served in Golan for the last 41 long years Ziouani are now but a distant memory as the pleasant with distinction. The last few months were undisput- Spring weather begins to take hold. I thank all the mem- edly the most critical chapter in UNDOF’s history. bers of UNDOF for their dedication, hard labour, team- Despite all, UNDOF has confirmed the implemen- work and commitment to the mission tation of its mandate as envisaged in the Disengage- HoM/FC EDITORAL ment Agreement between Israel and Syria 1974. As is tradition within UNDOF, each edition of the Go- I acknowledge the unflinching dedication, profes- lan Journal has a special focus, this one being specifically sionalism and commitments of all the staff and the dedicated to the welcoming of the new Head of Mission/ troops. I must also pay my tribute to my predeces- Force Commander Maj Gen Purna Chandra Thapa, and sor Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha for his new members of INDCON and IRE CON to the mission. resolute leadership during the most difficult times We wish them all success in the days ahead. Similarly, of the mission. I also take this opportunity to thank we say goodbye to our outgoing IRECON Force Reserve the Chief of Mission Support Mr Bernard Lee and Company, and INDCON Log Batt, and wish them the Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General very best of luck in the future. Tony Hanlonl forf successfullyf llll leadingl d UNDOF to consolidate the mission from the condi- UNDOF Media Team is receiving a new Staff Officer (SO PR) from Nepal very soon. We humbly request all tions of uncertainty and taking it to this point, from where I can see every possibility of rede- our members to provide him with your usual support and cooperation. UNDOF Media team once again ployment to the AOS. Together you gave the mission a direction and made transition smooth. hope you “Enjoy Reading”. I must also acknowledge the contributions of the Observer Group Golan to UNDOF through- out all these years. The OGG remains a critical element of UNDOF’s operation in the future as well. DHANYABAD, VINAKA, SUKRIYA, THANK YOU, GO-RAIBH MAITH AGAT !!! There is a considerable challenge ahead for all of us as we are together moving from reconfigu- Editorial Staff: Unit Press Officers: SOPR Editorial.................................................................................... 2 ration to redeployment phase. The situation in our area of operation is fluid; therefore we need Editor in Chief, UNDOF - Maj Amit Singh Gurung FC UNDOF Force Commander’s Message.....................................................3 Proofreader , Layout Designer FIJIBATT - Lt Seluvaia Qetaki to be very observant, thoughtful and primed in carrying out our duties. This is why I am call- DFC DFC ......................................................................................... 4 & SSO Media Maj Amit Gurung INDCON - Lt Bhuvan ing on all of you to apply ‘One Mission, One Team, One Goal’ motto to the implementa- COS/CMS COS .................................................................................. 5 NEPCON - Capt Silwal Aditya tion of the mandate, in observing the respect of the 1974 cease fire agreement by the parties. New People in UNDOF................................................................................ 6-7 Co-Editor IRECON - Capt Phelim Carroll Force Commander’s Arrival............................................................. 8 Maj Mick Murphy Capt Venina Yabia UNDOF UNIFIL Deployment................................................................ 9 Proofreaders UNDOF enjoys the support and acceptance from both parties; it is quintessential that UNDOF Saint Patrick’s Day...............................................................10-11 Force Photographer Capt Phelim Carroll we maintain this support. To do so, first and foremost we must continue to be impar- Lt Bartley McFadden UNDOF Centre Page (Pictorials) ........................................................12-13 Sgt Tomasi Delana tial in our actions and behaviour. As United Nations personnel, our behavior must UNDOF International Women’s Day Celebration.............................. 14-15 be of the highest standards and in line with the United Nations rules and regulations. UNDOF INDCON........................................................................... 16-17 UNDOF FIJI BATT...........................................................................18-19 Editorial Office: UNDOF NEPCON..........................................................................20-21 UNDOF HQ Since my arrival on 13 February, I have gathered plenty of confidence that UNDOF will be suc- UNDOF Exercise Golan Days ...............................................................22 Camp ZIOUANI cessful in the collaboration of diverse, experienced and committed civilian and military person- E-Mail: [email protected] UNDOF Mass Casualty Exercise ..............................................23 nel in the mission. I am overwhelmed with the commitment and determination of each one of you. I would also like to assure you that your safety and security remains my priority consideration in Front (Page 1): Force Commander Presenting UNDOF Medal Online edition: all decisions about UNDOF’s activities, and in particular when it comes to our return to the AOS. to Deputy Force Commander.......................................................... http://undof.unmissions.org Back (Page 24): UNDOF WOMEN’S DAY The Golan Journal is the magazine of the United Nations Disengagement It is also the time for me to convey my best wishes to the outgoing members of the Irish Force Reserve Photos by Sgt Tomasi Delama Observer Force and it is intended to provide information about the Force and events within it which are of interest to its members. The UNDOF Media/ Company and to address a warm welcome to the incoming Irish contingent members to the Golan. Public Relations Office publishes the Golan Journal quarterly. While articles and photographs are welcomed from all members of the Force, the view and opinions I thank you all for the warm welcome to the UNDOF family and I look forward to working with you. expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily coincide with May peace prevail on the Golan! those of the United Nations or the Force Commander. The copyright of all material in this journal is vested in United Nations Publica- Thank You. tions except where an acknowledgment is made to another holder. No articles or illustrations may be reproduced without the permission of the editorial staff. — 2 — U N D O F — 3 — U N D O F DFC ADDRESS COS ADDRESS The New Year of 2015 arrived three months ago and yet it is only now Bula Vinaka, it is indeed a great pleasure and honour for me as your we begin to emerge from an enduring and very harsh winter on Golan. new Chief of Staff to address you, members of the UNDOF Family The period from December to the end of March has been characterised for the first time in this edition of the Golan Journal. Upon my ar- by the significant challenges faced by our mission support branches rival into the Mission Area in early January 2015, I was greeted by an in dealing with the daily pressures on our infrastructure and real life UNDOF team of dedicated professionals on the Bravo side, to which support services in all our posts and positions. They have done excep- has left an impeccable impression on me. Even more impressing were the Nepalese elements on Mount Hermon displaying a high regard of tional work in the most trying of circumstances. We have also been COS unwavering commitment and selfless service towards their role in the faced with the continued turbulence around the change and internal midst of ever growing challenges. Similarly, I can gladly state that such configuration of the Mission as we continue the process of aligning professionalism is being reflected also on the Alpha side of the Area UNDOF and its resources to meet its primary task of Mandate Im- of Separation following the detailed and highly informative induc- plementation. This has resulted in the redeployment out of UNDOF tion program accorded to my arrival. Visits to Position 80 and 22 has of 146 members of our Fijian Battalion to UNIFIL. We are saddened by their departure and wish them well in their shown me the endless sacrifices, dedication and commitments required by the soldiers, in order for UN- new environment where they will face new challenges and be exposed to different experiences in South Lebanon. DOF to achieve its Mission and mandated tasks. Whilst soldiers are on the ground 24 hours a day 7 days a week, observing, reporting activities/violations observed within the AOS, I must also commend the con- A major part of the progress in the reconfiguration process has been the establishment of our Temporary tinuous and endless assistance rendered from the Mission Support. Without proper administration and Headquarters in Damascus where the Office of the Force Commander and Head of Mission is now located. logistical assistance, the operational side of the Mission would not function successfully. We wish all our staff and colleagues posted to the new Headquarters a safe and rewarding deployment. This period has also been