Unit Citation goes to Cambodia comms unit

Just over two decades ago, Australian and some New Zealand troops concluded a perilous mission in the jungles of Cambodia, providing communications for the UN peacekeeping mission.

The soldiers operated in remote outposts which in one case was overrun by members of the Khmer Rouge, fortunately without casualties.

That service was recognised with award of the Meritorious Unit Citation to the Force Communications Unit (FCU) in the Australia Day honours.

The citation recognises the outstanding service of about 480 Australians and 40 New Zealanders who in warlike operations provided communications support to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) between March 1992 and October 1993.

FCU was Australia's principal contribution to UNTAC, the mission launched from the 1991 Paris peace agreement.

That was designed to end a brutal conflict which pitted the Khmer Rouge and their international backers against the Vietnam-backed Cambodia regime. It culminated with elections in May 1993.

Defence said the role of the FCU expanded well beyond what was initially anticipated.

"Working in a hostile environment as a result of inter-factional conflict, the Force Communications Unit provided additional logistic support to the election process, while maintaining the communications network at 50 locations across Cambodia," Defence said in a statement.

Retired Major General Tim Ford, chairman of the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project, said the FCU was highly regarded throughout Cambodia for its contribution to the peace process.

"After many years, the peacekeeping role of this unit has been recognised by this nation," he said in a statement.

The Australia Day honours also recognises a number of defence personnel for their service in operations in Afghanistan.

Among them was Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith who was commended for his distinguished performance of duty as a patrol commander with the Special Operations Task Group.