On May 15, 2004, “after a year of concerted efforts led by [Central Command (CENTCOM) leader] GEN John Abizaid, CJTF-7 [Combined Joint Task Force] split into two components. Multi-National Force Iraq (MNFI) was the new four-star headquarters with responsibility for the strategic international, political, and military interface that would direct the Iraqi theater of operations. It would also coordinate with CENTCOM and other national and international agencies. Multi-National Corps Iraq was now a subordinate unit of MNFI that would focus on operational and tactical warfighting operations.”
– Ricardo S. Sanchez with Donald T. Phillips, Wiser in Battle, Pages 383-384