France's commitment to the MFO has been unbroken since 1982. Currently, the French Contingent mission is to provide one fixed wing aircraft (currently a CASA CN-235) and crew along with staff officers for the Force headquarters.
The mission of the aircraft is to support the COU (Civilian Observer Unit) observation mission, support the Liaison System in facilitating meetings of the Treaty Parties, transport VIPS, conduct medical evacuation as well as to move Force members between North Camp and South Camp.
The French Contingent consists of up to eighteen personnel, including five Air Force and two Army officers along with Air Force non-commissioned officers.
The French Contingent Commander is an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, who also assumes the role of senior air staff officer within the Operations Branch, and is the adviser to the Force Commander on all matters relating to aviation. The two Army Lieutenant Colonels work within the Liaison Branch, one in North Camp as the Deputy Chief of Liaison and the second as the senior South Camp Liaison Officer.
A Major works within the Air Operations office and conducts all planning and tracking of air operations. A Captain and a senior non-commissioned officer, who is also the contingent sergeant major, are the logistic team which interacts with the MFO while three non-commissioned officers from the Contingent conduct the administration, signals and supply functions.
The tour of duty for the Contingent personnel ranges from two months to a year.
The CASA CN-235 normally operates 550 flight hours a year and the Contingent rotates aircraft every six months.
Link: Defense.Gouv.fr