US-Task Force HQ Contingent - Multinational Force & Observers

›› UNITED STATES TASK FORCE HQ

›› This HQ Contingent is comprised of forty US soldiers, mostly officers and senior NCOs. They are assigned to key leadership positions on the Force Commander's staff, including personnel, operations, logistics, medical, engineering, communications, force protection, safety and aviation. Many of these personnel are dual-hatted and also serve a staff function for Task Force Sinai (TFS), the internal US headquarters organized to provide command and control to all US soldiers assigned to the MFO.

›› The Contingents

The senior American in the Force serves as the Force Chief of Staff (COS) and also commands Task Force Sinai. As the Chief of Staff, this officer coordinates and directs all staff actions within the Force and answers for the Force in the Force Commander's absence. As TFS Commander, COS has been centrally-selected for brigade command in the US Army selection system. COS provides the US command and control for the US Infantry Battalion, the US Support Battalion and the US HQ Contingent.

The Chief of Support (CSP) is also an American Colonel and is responsible for the timely and effective logistical support to the entire Force. CSP orchestrates all aspects of transportation, food service and maintenance (aviation and ground) support throughout the extremely demanding environment of the Sinai. Under his supervision, the Force Transportation Office plans and executes in-region support for individual and group rotations for all twelve contingents within the Force and provides the critical supply lifeline to all the 28 MFO remote sites as well as the major bases at North and South Camp.

The Operations Officer, under the COP, manages the day to day execution of the MFO mission, and is responsible for the effectiveness of the Force Operations Center as it monitors ground, sea and air reports from all over the Sinai twenty-four hours per day. This officer also provides direct supervision for the training and execution of all duty investigations and medical evacuations. The Air Operations Officer plans all air support missions for the Force and coordinates all rotary wing support for Civilian Observer reconnaissance and verification missions.

American officers and NCOs also provide essential leadership in other staff branches. The Force Protection Officer and the Safety Officer perform critical roles in keeping all MFO soldiers and civilians safe in the harsh and 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, including the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service and information systems at both North and South Camp. An American officer heads the Press and Visits branch and not only coordinates the countless visits to the Sinai by various dignitaries from around the world, but also writes and produces periodic publications that tell the MFO story and help maintain high morale. Americans also provide key leadership positions in the personnel and engineering branches and they support soldiers and civilians from all contingents, not just Americans.

These officers and NCOs serve one-year tours and rotate individually or in small groups each month. Contingent members have historically taken advantage of the many opportunities for professional and personnel development throughout their tours.

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