The Government of France advised the MFO in May 2009 that it would withdraw from service the CASA CN-235 aircraft and crew it had provided for MFO missions due to competing requirements.  The aircraft and crew completed their service with the MFO on June 15th and have departed the Sinai. 

The U.S. Government has agreed to assure continuity of this important mission and has supplied a Sherpa C-23 aircraft and crew.  Today, the aircraft and crew assumed the MFO's Fixed Wing aviation mission.  

The MFO is grateful to France for the Fixed Wing support it has provided since 1982 and thanks the United States Government for ensuring the MFO's capability to sustain this critical mission. 

Following the departure of the CASA, France continues to participate in the MFO contributing two liaison officers.