{"html":"\u003cdiv class=\"timeline-details-description \"\u003e\n \u003ch4 class=\"js-timeline-anchor timeline-anchor\"\u003eUNTSO - United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation - Sinai\u003c/h4\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAustralia has deployed personnel in support of this operation since 1956 when it was put in place to monitor the truce following the 1956 Suez War between Egypt and Israel (which was supported by the UK and France). It remains Australia's longest continuous commitment to Peacekeeping Operations. The fact that it has been in place for nearly 65 years is a measure of the instability that grips the region, and AUstralia's contiunuing commitment to help find solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSet up in May 1948, UNTSO was the first ever peacekeeping operation established by the United Nations. Since then, UNTSO military observers (Military Experts on Mission) have remained in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other UN peacekeeping operations in the region to fulfil their respective mandates.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe UNTSO area of operations comprises Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. Australian military personnel can be assigned to observation posts, liaison offices and patrol bases throughout the UNTSO area of operations or as Headquarters Staff in Jerusalem. UNTSO comprises 153 commissioned officers from rank Captain (Equivalent) to Major General. These officers are drawn from 27 Troop Contributing Countries and from all continents . Officers are selected from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Forces and operate together in small teams. Most participants take advantage of many unstructured opportunities to establish friendships and learn from non-traditional defence partners they may not otherwise ever meet in their military career.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Military are but one component of UNTSO, which also comprises a team of United Nations civilians—local nationals and international staff—who provide a variety of specialist functions, including, in headquarters, mission support, security and as language assistants on patrol.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOperation PALADIN is the ADF Operation name for its contribution to UNTSO. The current ADF contingent comprises 12 officers from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe usual period of service for ADF officers with UNTSO is 12 months.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAustralia has generally deployed 12 people at a time, each for a 12 month tour of Duty. It is estimated that some 700 Australians have served with UNTSO in that time. The operation to deploy support and replace Australian personnel is named \"Operation Paladin\".\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n"}