UN Advance
Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC)
Australian Service Contingent (ASC)
UN Transitional Authority in
Cambodia (UNTAC)
Force Communications Unit (FCU)
1991 - 1993
After Vietnam
intervened in Cambodia in 1979 to overthrow the Khmer Rouge regime,
Cambodia became embroiled in a four-sided civil war.
The four groups are the Vietnamese-installed government of the
State of Cambodia (SOC) which is supported by the Cambodian People's
Armed Forces (CPAF); the communist Democratic Kampuchea (DK -
commonly known as the Khmer Rouge) which is supported by the
National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (NADK); and the two noncommunist
factions, the Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF)
which is supported by Khmer People's National Liberation Armed
Forces (KPNLAF); and the United Front for an Independent, Neutral,
Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) which is supported
by the National Army of Independent Cambodia (ANKI).
In August 1989, the UN proposed an observer mission to monitor
the withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Cambodia and supervise
an internal peace process between the four factions. From 6-22
August 1989, two Australian officers were deployed to Thailand
and Cambodia on the UN reconnaissance team planning the mission.
In late March 1992, UNTAC was established under the 1991 Paris
Agreements to supervise a cease-fire and general election in
Cambodia. Australian diplomacy during 1989-1991 assisted the
successful conclusion of the Agreements.
In October 1991, prior to UNTAC being formally established,
Australia contributed a 65-strong communications unit to its
precursor, the UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC). The Australians
(under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Russell Stuart) were
among the first UN troops in Cambodia, to provide communications
support to UNAMIC which was tasked to set in motion the peace
process and pave the way for the deployment of UNTAC. UNAMICs
mandate expired in March 1992 after the establishment of UNTAC
in February.
On UNTACs establishment, the ADF contingent
increased to 502 personnel, comprising the 488 strong Force
Communications Unit (FCU) and 14 staff on HQ UNTAC spread out
across 60 locations throughout Cambodia. The FCU was originally
based on the
2nd Signal Regiment (based in Watsonia, Melbourne), but reinforced
from many other units, including 20 personnel each from the RAN
and the RAAF. The FCU also included a further 40 New Zealand
personnel. UNTAC's military component comprised some 16,000 personnel
from 32 countries. The Force Commander of this operation was
Australia's Lieutenant General J.M. Sanderson AC.
Since 1991 when the original
Australian UNAMIC contingent provided the communications network
between the four Cambodian factions' military headquarters and
the UNAMIC headquarters, the task of the Australians mushroomed
under its UNTAC mandate. To achieve those tasks, the FCU based
its RHQ in Phnom Penh (Pteah Kangaroo), along with the headquarters
of its administrative squadron and 1 Sig Sqn (Pteah Australii).
2 Sig Sqn was based in the northern provincial capital of Battambang.
The
FCU was spread across 56 locations throughout Cambodia and was
the only unit to serve in Cambodia to see more action than any
other UN unit. The table below shows all the sectors and locations
of FCU components - as at 10 June 1993. The first location in
each sector is generally the HQ for the sector.
SECTOR |
LOCATION |
COORDS |
Pers |
1 |
Sisaphon |
TA8203 |
17 |
| CT4 - Banteay Meanrith |
UA1378 |
2 |
| CT5 |
TA7761 |
1 |
| CT6 - Phum Khu |
TA7249 |
2 |
| CT7 |
TA6140 |
1 |
| CT8 - Phum Nimit |
TA3611 |
1 |
| CT13 - Sok San |
TU5972 |
3 |
2 |
Siem Reap |
UV7778 |
16 |
| CT3 |
UA6169 |
1 |
3 |
Tbeng Meanchey |
VA9822 |
12 |
| CL2 |
WA8456 |
2 |
| CT1 |
VA9572 |
2 |
4 |
Stoeng Treng |
XV0595 |
15 |
| Bunglung |
YA1519 |
4 |
| Sen Monorom |
YU3879 |
4 |
| Kratie |
XU1280 |
4 |
| CV7-Snoul |
XU5535 |
1 |
| CV7A |
YU0447 |
1 |
| CV10 |
YA7023 |
1 |
| CL1 |
XA0837 |
1 |
5E |
Kampong Cham |
WU5126 |
12 |
| Svay Reing |
WT8825 |
10 |
| Prey Veng |
WT3569 |
4 |
| CV4 |
XT2824 |
1 |
| CV5 |
WT9943 |
1 |
| CV5A |
WT8862 |
1 |
| CV6 |
XT0789 |
1 |
| CV6A |
XU2908 |
1 |
5W |
Kampong Thom |
VV8805 |
16 |
6 |
Sihanoukville |
US3675 |
15 |
| Koh Kong |
TT8084 |
4 |
| Kampot |
VS1073 |
4 |
| Takeo |
VT7615 |
4 |
| Sre Amble |
UT6530 |
3 |
| CV1 |
VS4053 |
1 |
| CV2 |
VS9271 |
1 |
8 |
Battambang |
UV0548 |
43 |
9 |
Phnom Penh |
VT9075 |
260 |
9E
|
Kampong Speu |
|
10 |
| Takhmao |
VT9469 |
2 |
| CV3M |
WT2005 |
1 |
| CV3A |
WT0912 |
1 |
| |
Kampong Chhnang |
VU6355 |
12 |
| Pursat |
UU8385 |
4 |
| |
|
TOTAL |
503 |
From 11 May to 9 September 1992, a Movement Control Group (MCG)
comprising seven RAN, 16 Army and seven RAAF personnel joined
UNTAC. The MCG included a headquarters and nine three person
teams, and coordinated the reception and movement of forces during
UNTAC's main deployment phase. From 15 May to 19 July 1993, Australia
contributed a further 115 troops and six S70A Blackhawk helicopters,
with the deployment of a squadron from 5 Aviation Regiment and
an infantry platoon protection party from the 2/4th Battalion,
the Royal Australian Regiment.
After the elections, UNTAC was closed on 15 November 1993 and
replaced by the United Nations Military Liaison Team (UNMLT).
UNMLT comprises of 20 military observers and their task is to
maintain close liaison with the Cambodian Government and report
to the Secretary-General on matters affecting security in Cambodia
and also assisting the Government in dealing with residual military
matters related to the Paris Agreement. UNMLT was established
for a single period of six months. Military Observers are eligible
to receive the UNTAC medal.
The FCU
(Australia) detachment, who was involved in the pull down of
UNTAC and return to Australia of stores, was awarded a CGS
Commendation for services. The commendation read:
FORCE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT (AUSTRALIA) DETACHMENT
The Land Commander Australia has brought to my attention the
dedicated and tireless efforts of the Force Communications Unit
(Australia) Detachment in the closure of the Force Communications
Unit which supported the United Nations Transitional Authority
in Cambodia.
While in Cambodia, members of the Detachment planned and executed
the withdrawal of approximately 1,000 tonnes of stores and equipment
as deployed sub units were withdrawn to Phnom Penh from their
provincial areas of deployment. The ease and speed with which
most equipment was able to be cleared by Customs and Quarantine
services and moved to Broadmeadows after unloading in Melbourne,
is testimony to the Detachment's dedication and effectiveness.
The Detachment was settled at Broadmeadows, Victoria in January
1994. Over the following nine months the work of the Detachment
involved dealing with an enormous amount of equipment identification,
counting, checking and documentation. The Detachment has continued
the excellent work it commenced in Cambodia, working tirelessly
to ensure the best possible outcome with regard to refurbishment
of stores and the recovery of the maximum entitled claims from
the United Nations. A number of the staff have endured extended
separation from their families to accomplish this vital task.
I commend the Force Communications Unit (Australia)
Detachment for its dedication and tireless efforts over an
extended period. The Detachment's outstanding effort and achievement
has resulted in the best possible restoration and return into
service of vital equipment. The accomplishment of this important
mission is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian
Army.
Chief of General Staff
All ADF personnel serving in Cambodia were originally
entitled to the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Cambodia
clasp, depending on the date that they were in Cambodia and the
UN medal for UNAMIC or UNTAC.
The ASM with Cambodia clasp was
upgraded to the Australian Active Service Medal (ASSM) with Cambodia
Clasp around 2001. This was due to the amount of "war-like service"
that was encountered and the efforts of Barry Martin (RSM UNTAC)
to have the medal upgraded.
Simon Woolleys Medals
AASM (far left) + UN UNTAC (far right)
(click to enlarge)
UNAMIC Medal
(click to enlarge)
