France
 There
are more than 4,200 French military personnel currently operating in
the CENTCOM AOR.
The
French Air Force, deploying C-160 and C-130 aircraft to Dushanbe,
Tajikistan, have provided humanitarian assistance as well as national
and coalition airlift support. Two KC-135 aircraft have deployed to
Manas, Kyrgyzstan to provide aerial refueling. Six Mirage 2000 fighter
aircraft have also deployed to Manas to provide close air support (CAS)
capability.
French
engineers helped construct runways, a tent city and a munitions
storage facility at Manas. France also provided airfield security
(with dogs), a field mess unit, a deployable weather bureau, and a
Civil Military Operations (CMO) team.
France
deployed an infantry company to Mazar-e-Sharif to provide area
security up to December 2001.
Two
French officers are currently serving as air coordinators at the RAMCC.
Atlantique
aircraft deployed in Djibouti under national control are participating
daily in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
France
provided its only Carrier Battle Group to support combat operations in
the North Arabian
Sea. Aircraft from this Battle Group have flown more than 2,000 hours
for OEF to date, supporting the coalition with air reconnaissance,
strike and AEW missions. France's naval contribution to OEF accounts
for approximately 24 percent of their entire naval forces.
France
is the only coalition country to be flying fighter aircraft from Manas
airfield in Kyrgyzstan.
Their Mirage and tanker aircraft actively supported the coalition
during Operation Anaconda in March and are maintaining their full
combat and support capabilities for further operations.
Kabul
Medical Institute: The World Health Organization, French Embassy, Loma
Linda (NGO) and French forces (500 personnel) inserted into ISAF are
working to make major improvements to the Kabul Medical Institute -
with equipment, books and a new curriculum. The student body of about
2,800 includes 544 women.
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