Golan Journal - Jul 2023
Golan Journal - Jul 2023
Golan Journal - Jul 2023
10 YEARS OF NEPCON
CIVIL AFFAIRS
DEAR READERS
Welcome to the latest edition of the GOLAN – The UNDOF Journal.
CONTENTS
Head of Mission & Force Commander Message Major General Nirmal kumar Thapa P.2
Changing Seasons- My UNDOF Journey Maj Mokshita Singh P.5
A Fond Farewell & a Warm Welcome P.7
Meet the Leaders & Chiefs P.8
10 Years of NepCon with UNDOF Lt. Col Mahesh Kumar Suwal Bata P.13
Medal Parades & Ceremonies P.15
Civil Affairs & QIPs Jurga Didziokaite P.18
Search & Clearance with the FRC Capt. Brian Clarke P.20
Snapshots of UNDOF Activities P.22
CASEVAC Training amidst Adversity Dr. Lt Col Mallika Rayamajhi P.28
UNDOF: An Environmentally Friendly Team Joyce Mulinde P.30
Soldiers Profiles P.31
THE UNDOF JOURNAL IS THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT 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 & PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE PUBLISHES THE GOLAN JOURNAL. WHILE ARTICLES AND
PHOTOGRAPHS ARE WELCOMED FROM ALL MEMBERS OF THE FORCE, THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS AND DO NOT
NECESSARILY COINCIDE WITH THOSE OF THE UNITED NATIONS OR THE FORCE COMMANDER. THE COPYRIGHT OF ALL MATERIAL IN THIS JOURNAL IS VESTED IN UNITED
NATIONS PUBLICATIONS EXCEPT WHERE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS MADE TO ANOTHER HOLDER. NO ARTICLES OR ILLUSTRATIONS MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE
PERMISSION OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF.
MEET THE PILLARS
MEET THEOF UNDOF
PILLARS
CHIEF OF STAFF CHIEF OPS & RESOURCE MGR CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN MGR
COL PRATYUSH KUMAR MR. AMEDEO MICELLI MR. HENRY NUAMAH
INDIA ITALY GBR
JOINED UNDOF MAR 2022 JOINED UNDOF 2016 JOINED UNDOF 2014
“CHANGING SEASONS - MY UNDOF JOURNEY”
Major Mokshita Singh joined UNDOF last September on a 12 month tour of duty - her first overseas
deployment with the United Nations. Here, she shares her story;
On the 14th of April all in UNDOF bid a fond farewell to our DFC Brig Gen Anita Asmah as she
completed two years of dedicated service with UNDOF. Her unwavering commitment to duty,
her exemplary leadership, and her relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark
on our hearts and minds. Her leadership has been marked by her unwavering integrity,
unyielding perseverance, and tireless dedication to the mission. All in UNDOF are immensely
grateful for her service and wish her the very best in all her future endeavors.
Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, has taken over the reins as Deputy Force Commander UNDOF. He
joins UNDOF with a wealth of military experience behind him. Prior to his current appointment as
DFC, UNDOF he was posted as Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at Tri Services
HQ and has worked towards jointness and integration of Armed Forces of India. He has also
served as a Military Observer in the UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo and worked in
multinational environment in UN. All in UNDOF wish him all the best for a successful tour of Duty.
MEET THE LEADERS
HOM & FC MAJOR GENERAL
NIRMAL KUMAR THAPA
Major General Nirmal Kumar Thapa, was born in On the academic front, he holds a Master’s
Lalitpur, Nepal. The General Officer joined the Degree in Security and Development Studies
Nepali Army as an officer cadet on 15th February from Bangladesh University of Professionals.
1987. He was commissioned into Nepali Army as Major General Thapa has previously served as a
Second Lieutenant and joined an Infantry Platoon Commander in UNPROFOR in former
Battalion on 1st June 1988. During his career he has Yugoslavia, Logistic Coy Commander in UNIFIL in
completed various professional courses, both at Lebanon, JOC Operations Officer in UNMEE-
home and abroad, among them the National Ethiopia & Eretria and as a Military Observer in
Defense College - Bangladesh, Higher Command MONUSCO-Congo.
and Management Course - Nepal, Army Command Major General Thapa, has dedicated thirty-four
and Staff College- Nepal and Comprehensive years of service to Nepal and the United Nations.
Crisis Management Course – USA. Furthermore, he He is happily married to Mrs Muna Thapa and the
has participated in seminars and workshops couple is blessed with two sons.
abroad in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, and the
UK.
DFC BRIG GENERAL
AMITABH JHA
Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, is an alumnus of He has attended and successfully completed the
Delhi University and was commissioned into the Junior & Senior Command Course at Army War
Infantry from the Officers Training Academy, College, Mhow and the prestigious Higher
Chennai in 1993. He has vast experience in Defence Management Course at College of
operations across a wide spectrum of conflict and Defence Management, Secundrabad.
terrain profiles. He has commanded a Commando Academically inclined, Brigadier General
Platoon in mountains, a Company in Counter Amitabh Jha has a keen interest in reading on
Terrorist Forces and a Rifle company along Geopolitics, Indo- Pacific, Modern & Small Wars,
Northern borders in the Himalayas. As a Colonel Sub-conventional Warfare, Human psychology,
he has commanded an elite Special Forces Unit. Culture and Spirituality. He is a keen sports
Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, has commanded a enthusiast, who plays troop games and enjoys
Brigade in Glaciated Mountainous terrain in the backpacking in the mountains & enjoys nature
Northern Borders area, and has served as a and music. He is married to Mrs Anupama Jha
Military Observer in the UN mission in Democratic who is an educationalist and an avid reading
Republic of Congo. enthusiast. The couple have two children.
MEET THE CHIEFS
AGRAPH TEXT
CIVIL AFFAIRS & QIPs
All over the world, children are the
same. they love to learn and they love
to have fun. There is nothing like
seeing the smile on a child's face, or
hearing their laughter to cheer you
up.
Sadly, all over the world, children are
amongst the most vulnerable in
suffering the consequences of
conflict - physically and emotionally.
With the drive and vision exhibited by
Jurga Didziokaite, UNDOF has
achieved much, but as always there is
much more to do in trying to help the
communities in the UNDOF area.
The UNDOF Force Commander’s Reserve (FRC) The FRC’s Mechanised Infantry Company
was tasked by UNDOF HQ to Search and Clear provided an on the ground security
OP58 in order to certify it as clear of all perimeter while FRC Engineers conducted
potential hazards for future reoccupation by their Search and Clearance works.
UNTSO Observer Group Golan (OGG) Throughout the operation the FRC
observers. UN OP 58 is approximately 70km remained on 15 minutes notice to move as
SOUTH from Camp FAOUAR (CF) on high the Force Commander’s Reserve.
ground. It is located SOUTH of the village AL There were five phases to the operation.
JAMLAH which is approximately 1km away. The Phase 1 consisted of the move to the
Bravo Line is approximately 1000m and the location of the FRC convoy consisting of
ALPHA line is approximately 2000m WEST of Engineer Specialist Search and Clearance
the OP. The OP is also approximately 20km (ESSC) assets and Mechanised Infantry
SOUTH of UN Position 80. Company MOWAG PIRHANNA III APCs as
part of the security element. Phase 2
Preparation for the operation began a number consisted of the establishment of a cordon.
of days prior. The FRC follows a strict process During this phase troops from the FRC’s
of planning and preparation in advance of all Mechanised Infantry Company took the
deliberate operations to ensure that detailed lead in the establishment of a secure
plans are created, areas and routes are cordon to ensure a safe environment for
reconnoitred, and all eventualities are planned the ESSC team to work. Phase 3 consisted
and prepared for. FRC personnel conducted of the ESSC team conducting its search in
an on the ground reconnaissance of routes to detail. During the process of the Search
and from OP58, and a general reconnaissance and Clearance operation the FRC
of the area and work that was required. searched all buildings and areas within the
OP, and the perimeter of the OP. There
FRC personnel liaised with Alpha side and were no explosive devices or materials
Bravo side authorities in advance of the found during the search. As well as
operation through UNDOF’s liaison branch in searching the OP, FRC Engineers Searched
order to ensure that the operation could go and Cleared an extraction route outside
ahead without any misunderstandings or the OP for OGG observers to utilise in the
surprises for all parties present in the Golan event of an emergency extraction.
Heights
This allows OGG observers to evacuate the
OP to a safe point of extraction in the event
of an emergency in a safe manner without
threat from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) or
Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). Phase 4
consisted of the synchronised and
coordinated collapsing of the security
cordon. During this phase the Mechanised
Infantry Company troops again took the lead
in safely collapsing the cordon in place and
rendezvousing with FRC personnel at OP58.
Phase 5 of the operation consisted of the
reconstituted FRC convoy and all assets
returning to Camp Faouar.
Throughout the operation the FRCs Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was on
standby to render safe any UXOs or ERW
that may have been found during the
searches.
BRIAN CLARKE
CAPT(OF-2)
FRC - IRL
SNAPSHOTS-INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Dear All,
United Nations Peacekeeping missions usually Competent medical evacuation requires the
operate in grim and austere environments. choreography of a range of domains and assets.
UNDOF is no exception to the extreme Planning and preparation is a key factor. Each
operational environment seen in most missions. stakeholder knowing their course of action is also
Added to the operational threats, the fundamental. The need for extended field care due
topographical challenge in UNDOF is something to limited evacuation platforms, requires military
that cannot be overlooked.The northern sector of personnel to practice the full scope of their
the Mission is in Mount Hermon which is manned training to maximize outcomes. Keeping this in
by NEPCON (Nepali Contingent). It also mind CASEVAC exercises have been conducted in
comprises of Hermon Hotel which is the highest the region regularly. These exercises are not only
UN position in the world. This region is notorious meant to test medical response but also assess
for its harsh winters which lasts for four months. transportation capabilities. Transportation of
During this period the northern sector becomes casualty may also require insight resulting in use of
almost cut off from the rest of the mission in whatever resources we have in the best possible
terms of road access. Heli access is something manner. Modification of existing vehicles may also
that remains out of reach for UNDOF as we are in be necessary at times. Piston bully, skidoo with
a No-fly zone. The ability to carry out medical sledges and ski stretchers are used in place of an
evacuation or CASEVAC during this period is one ambulance or 4 wheelers in the mountains. Troops
of the biggest challenges faced by the mission. stationed at Mt Hermon usually arrive by mid-
This drives the requirement to foresee measures October each year. Their early days are focused
that can be adopted by the mission to provide on trainings related to use of all the transport
abilities and resources for the evacuation and facilities available.
treatment of casualties or medical emergencies
within the “10-1-2” metric.
CASEVAC TRAINING AMIDST ADVERSITY: MOUNT HERMON
Joyce Mulinde
Environment Officer
UNDOF
PROFILES
Sergeant Vetiana Gorgal is the current Sergeant of UMIC 4th
Platoon UNDOF.
She was born in Rocha IN Uruguay, which is one of the districts that
divides the country into 19 parts.
She joined the military in 2008 in the 12th Infantry Battalion and has
been serving there ever since.
During this time, she completed several courses such as. Training
and class improvement, Basic and advanced courses for non-
commissioned officers, tank chief of armored and mechanized
vehicles, Chief and sergeant of armored and mechanized infantry
section.
Well regarded and respected among the men under her command,
she managed to become a peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo as Leader of Armored Vehicles from 2018 to 2019 and
repeating the same position from 2022 to 2023 in the Golan
Heights.
Sgt. Gorga demonstrates determination and professionalism in every
task, and is highly regarded by her colleagues.
In conclusion, she would like to send a message to all women in the
forces “persist, persevere, resist and never give up”.
NAME : JOGINDER
RANK : CFN/ PTE
APPOINTMENT IN UNDOF : REFRIGERATOR TECHNICIAN