Suffolk’s airborne engineers return from construction mission, June 2016.

Some 100 troops from 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, part of Woodbridge-based 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, deployed to the Sinai Peninsula to update infrastructure at bases used by the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), a non-UN multinational peacekeeping organisation.

The MFO was created by an agreement between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel to monitor the terms of the 1979 Treaty of the Peace and continues to make an important contribution to peace and stability in the region.

The sappers renewed the bases’ protective walls and checkpoints and carried out electrical and plumbing work on accommodation blocks. A particularly important task was installing air conditioning units to make the harsh desert environment more bearable, with temperatures peaking at 42°C.

Major Dave Stead, Officer Commanding 9 Para Sqn RE, said: “This deployment tested all of our combat engineering and trade skills, requiring real flexibility, initiative and ingenuity in both planning and execution. We have gained a lot as a Squadron through going out together to complete a demanding job in arduous conditions. Everyone can be very proud of their role, both in terms of the quality and volume of work they delivered and their contribution to the MFO’s peacekeeping mission.”

Lance Corporal Aaron Swann, 25 from Newcastle, said: “It was hard work but very rewarding. I’m an electrician and was doing wiring full-time for three months, so I really feel like I’ve used and developed my skills. It was great to go on tour as a Squadron and we’ve learnt a lot about each other, how everyone works and how our different jobs fit together.”

The sappers returned at the beginning of June after deploying in March. During their time with the MFO they worked alongside peacekeepers from across the world, including USA, Uruguay, Colombia, Fiji and Canada.

Sergeant Matthew Paxton, 30 from Stafford, said: “Everyone was singing our praises - the work the blokes did was excellent and has made a real difference to the MFO’s facilities. It was a very friendly place and all the different nationalities made it an interesting experience, to see the differences between how we operate.”

The UK has a long history of supporting the MFO, and currently provides an Engineer Officer of the rank of Major to serve on the Force Commander’s Staff.

In last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Government pledged to strengthen the UK’s commitment to international peacekeeping. This deployment further underlines UK support to regional peace and security.