Oral history interview with Sergeant Nicholas Petersen of the Australian Army and a Tactical Operations Centre Sergeant with the Multinational Force and Observer group (MFO) at Forward Operating Base – North (FOB-N) at El Gorah in 2019.

Oral history interview with Sergeant Nicholas Petersen of the Australian Army and a Tactical Operations Centre Sergeant with the Multinational Force and Observer group (MFO) at Forward Operating Base – North (FOB-N) at El Gorah in 2019. Interview by Dr Aaron Pegram of the Australian War Memorial at ‘The Billabong’ – the Australian contingent quarters at FOB-N, El Gorah, Arab Republic of Egypt, 8 November 2019. Topics include: growing up in Bairnsdale VIC, motivation and enlistment in the Australian Regular Army, mustering as an Armoured Vehicle Crewman in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC), family military history, posting to 1st Combat Signals Regiment (1CSR) and training on M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier, School of Armour at Puckapunyal and conversion to Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) variants, carrying out gunners course, posting to 2/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and immediate deployment to Afghanistan (RTF-4, 2008), overview to cavalry detachment mission on RTF-4, patrol overwatch and convoy escort, discussion on subsequent deployments to Afghanistan with MTF-1 (2010) and MTF-3 (2011), overview of ASLAV vehicle, lessons learnt from multiple Afghanistan deployments, postings to Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Kapooka NSW, School of Armour Puckapunyal VIC and 2/14 LHR QMI, deployment to MFO. Understanding of Operation Mazurka and mission preparation, headquarters experience, overview of role in the tactical operations centre, tracking, managing and troubleshooting issues for patrols within the surrounding area, reporting and liaison with the Egyptian Liaison Agency with International Organizations (LAIO), local threats, ISIS/Wilayat Sinai, indirect rocket attacks, relative safety of MFO, lessons learnt from MFO deployment, plans after returning home, thoughts on the Australian War Memorial and future displays.