TAMPA, Fla. - General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited troops from the Multinational Force and Observer (MFO) mission on the Sinai Peninsula, Sept. 10, 2022. 

 

An international peacekeeping force, the MFO oversees the terms of the 1979 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, originally established to provide free passage of Israeli ships through the Suez Canal, as well as to recognize the Strait of Tiran and the Gulf of Aqaba as international waterways. 

 

Today the MFO is commanded by Defence Force New Zealand (Army) Major General Evan Williams who's forces are responsible for the vital mission manning security provisions along four security zones: three in the Sinai in Egypt and one in Israel along the international border. 

 

The multinational force is currently made up of service members from 13 countries: Australia, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.