RCAF Air Traffic Control

Operation CALUMET

The historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in 1979 led to the creation of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) later that year.

Operation CALUMET is Canada's contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), the non-UN peacekeeping mission established with 1,800 troops to monitor compliance by Israel and Egypt with the historic Camp David Accords. In 1986, when Operation CALUMET began, Canada committed a helicopter unit and 140 CF personnel; since then, the Canadian contingent has been scaled back to 29 people, including an air traffic control unit and administrative and support personnel located in El Gorah, Egypt.

The Canadian Contingent consists of twenty-nine volunteers ranging in rank from Corporal (E-4) to Colonel. All three branches of service, Army, Navy and Air Force are represented. Canadian personnel, with the exception of the Chief of Liaison and the Force Sergeant Major, are posted unaccompanied to the Sinai for a period of either six months or one year. The unit does not rotate as a contingent but individually to provide corporate memory and continuity.

The Canadian Contingent's mission is to provide personnel to perform line and staff functions in support of the MFO. The Contingent’s twenty-nine personnel fill a wide variety of appointments within the Multinational Force and Observers. All Canadians are based at North Camp, El Gorah, Sinai. The Commander of the Canadian Contingent is the Force Chief of Liaison. This officer's primary MFO responsibility is the day to day running of the Force Liaison organization. A designated Major/Lieutenant Commander fills the Deputy Commander position. This officer is responsible for his MFO duty as well as the day to day administration of the Canadian Contingent.

The Canadian Contingent also fills the position of Force Sergeant Major (FSM). The FSM is the senior soldier in the MFO and is responsible for the welfare and discipline of all MFO troops. The remaining Canadians serve in the following areas:

* Flight Following Section. Flight Following is the largest single group of Canadians and provides Air Traffic control in the northern sector of the Sinai. This section is comprised of six personnel. They rotate on a staggered basis after six months in the Sinai. In effect one controller leaves roughly every month. This schedule provides good continuity and increases air safety.

* Force HQ Personnel. Sixteen Canadians are employed in various HQ positions including Operations, Air Traffic Control, Training, Force Engineering, Food Services, Fleet Management, Force Information Systems, Press and Visits, Recreation and Morale Support, Signals and Force Safety. These positions rotate on either a yearly or six-month basis. Most officers serve a one-year tour.

* Contingent Staff. The Contingent has its own small support element of four personnel. Contingent support staff rotate every six months with the exception of the supervisor who serves for a year.

In addition to their normal duties Canadians are active participants in the myriad other aspects of MFO life. Despite the small size of the contingent, Canada is a participant in every major sport event and most minor events. In many events we have proven to be formidable opponents for the other small contingents and have shown good sportsmanship despite the outcome.

Finally, it is important to note that the Canadians regard their tour in the Sinai not just as an important peace support mission but also as an opportunity to learn more about the cultural identity and history of the Middle East.

It is well known that Canada, as a country of immigrants and great diversity, has a significant number of Egyptian, Arab, Moslem and Jewish communities. Living and working with the MFO is good for our soldiers, sailors and airmen to help them understand more about the diverse background of all Canadians.