The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces has been honoured after three of its senior officers serving in Sinai were awarded the Order of Saint Maurice from the United States Army.

RFMF chief of staff, Colonel Ratu Jone Kalouniwai said yesterday it was a major achievements for senior military officers in the RFMF.

The recipients were Major Henry Macomber, Major Ilaitia Tawakedrau and Major Jone Dugu.

He said it was a first for the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces.

The three were part of the Fijian battalion led by RFMF Commanding Officer 2FIR, Lieutenant-Colonel Avinish Kumar, under the Multinational Force and Observers mission in Sinai.

Colonel Kalouniwai said it was an American Order which was an honour for the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces.

“I understand it is the appreciation to our troops who have served with the American forces in Sinai,” Colonel Kalouniwai said.

He said since the Fijian troops were moved to South Camp from the North they had been embedded with the American troops in Sinai.

“It is also first time that we were under the US Commanding forces in Sinai , the order is a form of appreciation towards the leadership of our Fijian troops there,” Colonel Kalouniwai said.

The Order of Saint Maurice is awarded by the National Infantry Association and certificate is signed by the United States Army Chief of Infantry.

It is named after Saint Maurice who was the leader of the Roman Theban Legion in the third century.

The nominee of the order was someone who have served with the infantry community with distinction and demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the infantry and represented the highest standards of integrity with dedication to duty.

Colonel Kalouniwai said the next arrival of military personnel returning from their Sinai peacekeeping tour is next week.

Colonel Kalouniwai said the next deployment to Sinai would take place next year followed by rotations to the Golan and Lebanon.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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