Mackay army captain deployed on UN mission

Former St Patrick’s College student Craig Ashburner critical to peacekeeping mission in Israel

Australian Army officer, Captain (CAPT) Craig Ashburner is an United Nations Military Observer to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), deployed on Operation Paladin. Picture: Commonwealth of Australia

A MACKAY army captain has been deployed to Israel to help keep the peace between Israel and Syria.

Former St Patrick's College student Craig Ashburner is part of an unarmed and "impartial" UN team made up of more than 20 nations that monitor Israel and Syria's obligations under the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement.

Coined Operation Paladin, Cpt Ashburner is serving as a military observer with the Truce Supervision Organisation.

"Most of our time is spent either conducting vehicle patrols or on an observation post at the area of separation," Cpt Ashburner said.

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He was born in South Africa, migrating to Mackay with family in 2001 and joining the Australia Army in 2007.

Australian Army officer, Captain (CAPT) Craig Ashburner is an United Nations Military Observer to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), deployed on Operation Paladin. Picture: Commonwealth of Australia

Before his overseas deployment, Cpt Ashburner was an officer in the Royal Australian Engineers with his most recent role as project engineer managing the development of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program 2020.

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He said he was looking forward to returning home in December.

"I can't wait to spend time hiking with my partner Lisa before getting back in the ocean and doing some diving and surfing."

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