as of mid-april 2002, the 1-186th infantry was preparing to deploy for a six-month rotation and assume peacekeeping duties in the sinai region of egypt in july 2002, as part of the u.s. portion of the multinational force and observers (mfo) mission. the unit was slated to replace the active-duty 172nd separate infantry brigade out of fort wainwright, alaska, which had originally been tasked to provide one of its battalions for the next mfo rotation. the switch was to enable freeing an active-duty unit for other missions related to the war on terrorism if needed, and marked only the second time a reserve-component unit has been called upon to perform the sinai mission. as of mid-april 2002, the 1-186th was scheduled to train at fort carson, co, for the last of its mobilization requirements in may, and formally assume the u.s. portion of the mfo mission in july.