4-3 Cav to support peacekeeping in Sinai

FORT HOOD, Texas – The 1st Cavalry Division announced today a reconnaissance squadron task force from the 3d Cavalry Regiment will deploy to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula this summer as part of the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping force.

The 4th Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, will observe and report adherence to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty during its nine-month deployment. The 400-plus Soldier U.S. “Longknife” squadron will man observation posts along the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula between Taba and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. The peacekeeping mission will mark the first deployment for the Longknife Squadron since it was formed in November 2010.

 The squadron developed a comprehensive training program in November 2013 aided by dialogue with members of 6-9 Cav, the unit currently carrying out the MFO mission. Longknife troopers executed individual, leader, and comprehensive training exercises spanning a wide range of mission-specific skills that culminated in a multi-day MFO squadron training scenario.

A series of mobile training teams traveled to Fort Hood over the past few months to train 4th Squadron Soldiers on a variety of specific tasks, from cultural awareness and slingload operations, to up-armored vehicle driving.

The MFO is a result of the Camp David Accords and resulting 1979 Treaty of Peace and its 1981 Protocol, which were signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli President Menachem Begin, and witnessed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The MFO force in the Sinai is currently comprised of service members from 13 nations. U.S. forces have participated in the MFO mission since its inception in 1982.

For more information concerning Multinational Force and Observers-Sinai, visit their webpage at http://www.MFO.org. For more information on 4-3 Cavalry, contact 3d Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 553-6780.