File: aacwr_30.txt
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coalition forces a vital and necessary edge in dealing with Iraqi forces," who invariably fell back. A complex logistical infrastructure took shape in southern Turkey and northern Iraq to support the refugees. Ground transport of supplies gradually supplanted air deliveries. Although the Americans arrived first, Provide Comfort evolved quickly into a multinational operation. At the governmental level, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain sent military forces, as did the CIF's host nation, Turkey. Thirty countries sent materiel; 50 non-governmental organizations also took part.

With the immediate emergency under control, the next major step for U.S. military forces was transferring responsibility for the refugees to a civilian agency. On 7 June, the day after the last mountain camp closed, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees took control of relief operations. Multinational military forces continued to provide security, but only for a few more weeks. General Shalikashvili began a gradual withdrawal of all coalition forces from Iraq that was completed 15 July. To deter Iraqi attacks on the Kurds, the CTF stationed a battalion task force at Silopi, supported by air forces at Incirlik. Aircraft and helicopter armed reconnaissance flights over Iraq north of 36 degrees continued as a show of force. With the emphasis shifting back to aerial operations, General Shalikashvili relinquished command of the CTF to General Jamerson on 24 July.

With the pullout from Iraq and activation of the battalion task force, Provide Comfort I came to an end. Coalition aircraft had flown 3,857 successful air drop sorties, 3,657 fighter sorties, and 9,374 support sorties. In addition to flying cover for the air drop missions, the fighters had flown visual reconnaissance missions over Iraq north of 36 degrees and maintained a presence there to enforce the United Nation's prohibition against Iraqi flights in the area.

Overall, the effects of the operation on USAFE and its 1 units were a mixed bag. Provide Comfort strengthened the I command's knowledge and experience in joint and combined 1 operations It also was the occasion for much favorable 1 publicity. On the other hand, most units pointed to the lack T of training opportunities during their long deployments to Turkey. A-10s could conduct some close air support training, but Only until mid-July, when coalition ground troops withdrew from Iraq. There were no opportunities for air-to-air training for the F-15s and F-16s. Provide Comfort also affected

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