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Multinational Force (Iraq)

image by Eugene Ipavec, 29 April 2006

See also:

'The World' on BBC4 TV, 26 April 2006, had coverage of the visit to Baghdad of Condoleezza Rice and Donald Rumsfeld. Footage of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld included a flag of the Multi-National Force in Iraq.
André Coutanche, 27 April 2006

When Operation Iraqi Freedom began on 20 March 2003, it was carried out by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), established by Commander, US Army Forces Central Command, in 2002/3, to oversee two corps-sized organizations, I Marine Expeditionary Force and V Corps. Later, Combined Joint Task Force 7 (CJTF-7) replaced the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on 14 June 2003. Then Multinational Force - Iraq (MNF-I) replaced Combined Joint Task Force 7 on May 15, 2004. Multinational Force Iraq was established to handle strategic level issues while Multinational Corps Iraq (MNC-I) directed the tactical battle.

Multinational Force Iraq Official website: http://www.mnf-iraq.com
Multinational Corps Iraq Official website: http://www.mnci.centcom.mil

Esteban Rivera, 22 December 2006

Today on a news show relating to the US withdrawal I saw a flag identical to the one above but with the text "UNITED STATES FORCES-IRAQ" - one assumes this is the structure that replaced the MFI after all the other coalition members pulled out.
Eugene Ipavec, 31 August 2010

The United States Forces - Iraq (USF-I) is a U.S. military sub-unified command, part of U.S. Central Command. It is stationed in Iraq as agreed with the Government of Iraq under the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement. United States Forces - Iraq replaced the previous commands, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi- National Security Transition Command - Iraq from January 2010. The coat of arms is seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USF-I_Logo.png. Two flags can be seen here as well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Usfi_ceremony.jpg.

During 2008 and 2009, all non-U.S. foreign forces withdrew from Iraq. Withdrawal of all non-US forces was complete by July 31, 2009. As of January 1, 2009, the Iraqi Government is fully responsible, through its security ministries, for maintaining and providing security and rule of law for its people. Furthermore, as of June 28, 2009, no foreign forces are stationed within any of Iraq's major cities. The United States decided after negotiations to cease combat operations, that is, patrolling, serving arrest warrants, route clearance, etc., within Iraq by September 1, 2010, and transition to a pure advise, train and assist role. The changing mission entails major troop reductions; from 115,000 on December 15, 2009, to 50,000 by September 1, 2010, and to zero by December 31, 2011.

As a result of the evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom, three major commands (Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq) were merged on January 1, 2010. The streamlining reduced the total number of staff positions by 41%, and serves the new advise, train and assist role of the U.S. forces under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The reduced number of staff positions decreases the personnel requirements on the United States armed forces and allows the services to utilize their people in other commands that need them.

The new USF-I was claimed to be organized into three divisions, which as of January 2009 were actually four. United States Division - North takes over from the former MND-N, United States Division - Center takes over from United States Force - West and MND-Baghdad, amalgamated on January 23, 2010, and United States Division - South, takes over from the old MND-South. In December 2009/January 2010 whenthe transition occurred, the 34th Infantry Division was providing the headquarters of MND/USD South. On February 3, 2010, the 1st Infantry Division took command of USD-South (covering nine Governorates of Iraq, including Wasit Governorate and Babil Governorate) from the 34th Infantry Division.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Forces_%E2%80%93_Iraq.

For additional information please see: USF-I (official website): http://www.usf-iraq.com/
Esteban Rivera, 31 August 2010