New Commands in Iraq to Replace Combined Joint Task Force

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2004 – Two new military commands will stand up in Iraq May 15, replacing the current coalition military organization.

Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq will replace Combined Joint Task Force 7.

Coalition military spokesman Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, at a Baghdad news conference today, said the change addresses a concern that a combined joint task force headquarters was not sufficient to handle the military workload in Iraq efficiently.

"It's certainly more than a formality," he said. "It is trying to get the proper command structure for the days, weeks and months ahead."

Kimmitt explained that Multinational Corps Iraq will focus on the tactical fight -- the day-to-day military operations and the maneuvering of the six multinational divisions on the ground. Army Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz will command the corps. Meanwhile, Multinational Force Iraq will focus on more strategic aspects of the military presence in Iraq, such as talking with sheiks and political leaders, and on training, equipping and fielding Iraqi security forces.

Multinational Force Iraq "will certainly be involved in the tactical operations, but only to the extent that they have somewhat of an operational and strategic impact on this country," Kimmitt said. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, current CJTF 7 commander who will head MNF Iraq, already has been working the strategic issues, and the new command structure will enable him to focus more of his time and energy in that direction, Kimmitt said.

Biography:
Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez and Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz

1 posted on 05/14/2004 3:50:27 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

Two new military commands will stand up in Iraq May 15, replacing the current coalition military organization.
Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq will replace Combined Joint Task Force 7.

...Multinational Corps Iraq will focus on the tactical fight -- the day-to-day military operations and the maneuvering of the six multinational divisions on the ground. Army Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz will command the corps.

..Multinational Force Iraq will focus on more strategic aspects of the military presence in Iraq...talking with sheiks and political leaders...training, equipping and fielding Iraqi security forces. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, current CJTF 7 commander - will head MNF Iraq.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CJTf7 We Will Not Falter, We Will Not Fail

CJTF-7's last day, today.

Flexible plan,
adults in charge,
non-UN-ilateral, ping!

More changes afoot:
8 Rumsfeld Set To Shake Up Leadership At Two Key Combat Commands ~ Washington Times | 5/13/04 | Elaine Grossman

2 posted on 05/14/2004 4:01:51 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Sounds like LTG Sanchez has been punished for Abu Graib.

3 posted on 05/14/2004 4:08:03 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Interesting. This is LTG Metz' first assignment in a combat zone.

4 posted on 05/14/2004 4:12:48 PM PDT by leadpenny

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

5 posted on 05/14/2004 4:16:33 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

To: Cannoneer No. 4

I don't think so, if that were it he would not be put in charge of the strategic portion. I think this is more in line with what is happening June 30th. Sanchez has been there from the start and probably wants to go home. I think he's done a tremendous job, but you can't be doing everything.

6 posted on 05/14/2004 5:18:22 PM PDT by McGavin999 (If Kerry can't deal with the "Republican Attack Machine" how is he going to deal with Al Qaeda)

Perhaps you are right, but it sure looks to me like he got kicked upstairs.

7 posted on 05/14/2004 6:07:03 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Hmmmm,..... gotta see how this one turns out.

8 posted on 05/14/2004 6:43:12 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

9 posted on 05/14/2004 9:16:04 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

10 posted on 05/15/2004 2:38:44 AM PDT by windchime (Podesta about Bush: "He's got four years to try to undo all the stuff we've done." (TIME-1/22/01))

To: Cannoneer No. 4

This has been in the works since late fall. Officers started receiving orders to deploy to serve in the new HQ in January and have been doing the nug-work to get it ready for the last few months. Sanchez loves the tactical war-fighting aspects of command, but--in the view of some--has paid insufficient attention to the larger aspects of military ops in Iraq; coordinating ops & responsibilities with U.S., Iraqi, and the coalition forces; and building up the Iraqi military to where it could take over the lion's share of security. By establishing two separate HQ with high-powered commanders with well-defined separation of responsibilities, General Abizaid has provided some focus to each of the two major aspects of military ops in Iraq.

11 posted on 05/15/2004 6:14:35 AM PDT by mark502inf

Sanchez to Be Replaced As Iraq Commander

LTG Sanchez' next assignment will tell the tale. I think his upward mobility has plateaued.

12 posted on 05/25/2004 1:42:37 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

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