The US Contingent - Task Force Sinai

• The senior American Colonel in the Force serves as the Force Chief of Staff (COS) and also commands TFS. The TFS Commander has been centrally-selected for brigade command in the US Army command selection system.  As Force COS, this officer coordinates and directs all staff actions within the Force and serves as the deputy to the Force Commander.
• There is also an American Colonel (CJ4) responsible for timely and effective logistical support to the entire Force. The CJ4 orchestrates air and ground transportation and aviation maintenance support for the Force as well as planning and executing in-region support for individual and group rotations for all contingents.
• American officers and NCOs also provide essential leadership in other staff branches. The Force Protection Officer performs a critical role in keeping all MFO soldiers and civilians safe in the often-changing Sinai environment.  Contingent personnel are heavily integrated into the information and communications technology support provided to the Force.  They are involved in the operations and maintenance of all communications systems within the MFO.  An American officer heads the Press and Visits Office and coordinates the countless visits to the Sinai by various dignitaries from around the world.  Other Officers and NCOs fill key leadership positions in the personnel and engineering branches supporting all MFO personnel.
• These officers and NCOs serve one-year tours and rotate individually or in groups. Contingent members have historically taken advantage of the many opportunities for professional and personnel development throughout their tours.

The US Contingent – Security Battalion

The United States has provided combat arms personnel in support of the MFO mission since its inception. Their mission is to occupy the southern sector of Zone C and to observe and report in accordance with the Treaty of Peace and its Protocol.  The unit operates remote sites in this sector on a 24/7 basis as well as routine mobile patrols.

From 1982 through 2002, the responsibility for providing Infantry personnel in support of the MFO mission was rotated, every six months, among US Army Active Component Infantry Divisions.  After January 2002, the Security Battalion has come from either the Army National Guard or the Active Component.  At first, National Guard personnel also served six month tours of duty but in January 2005, tours were extended to one year.  Currently, tours are for nine-month periods.