New commands in Iraq replacing combined joint task force Published May 14, 2004 By John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Two new military commands will stand up in Iraq on 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 May 14, 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."General 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, General Kimmitt said.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 the force, 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.