KFORThe KFOR Magazine for KFOR CHRONICLE Soldiers April 2016
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MINE AWARENESS
EXERCISE FOX II www.nato.int/kfor CONTENT PICTURE: MNBG-E April 13th 2016, Turkish Maneuver Company (MNBG-E) conducts Change of Command Ceremony.
FIRE FIGHTERS KFOR Helicopter Crew Assists EOD Local Authority to Fight Fire International Day of Mine 03 04 Awareness NL AT KSF Training and Doctrine DANCON 06 Command Dancon March in Kosovo JRD-C 08 Kosovo Police Workshop COS 09 The General’s Perspective KFOR HQ 10 A Visual Overview KTM 12 Exercise FOX II KFOR 14 Units Change of Command LMT Croatian Delegation Visits 16 KFOR CULTURAL CORNER 18 Gadima Cave PICTURES OF THE MONTH 19 Your Chance to be a Part of it! PROFILES 20 Will Bastic MEDICAL ADVICE 21 Vasiliki Letsou 22 Allergic Rhinitis MP MESSAGE & KFOR RADIO 23 90.2 FM and 96.6 FM 2 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 FIRE FIGHTERS KFOR HELICOPTER CREW ASSISTS LOCAL AUTHORITY TO FIGHT FIRE Multinational Battle Group-East assisted local re ghters near Vidomiric, Mitrovica municipality, on April 19, 2016. Local authorities contacted KFOR, through EULEX, to request assistance in ghting a wild re, which threatened to cause loss of life and property.
Bondsteel and the citizens of Vidomiric were permitted to return to their homes.
rough these activities such as extinguishing re, KFOR continues to preserve a safe and secure environment and ensure freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo.
Maj. James Jenkins, OF-3 USA-A
Reports from the ground re crew indicated that the wild re ames were as high as 10 meters with heavy smoke obscuring visibility and that the citizens of Vidomiric were asked to evacuate, as a precautionary measure. MNBG-E utilized an UH60L Blackhawk helicopter with a water bucket to assist getting the re under control by dropping 2,400 gallons of water at a designated location.
A er MNBG-E completed the water drops, ground re crews con rmed e ectiveness of reducing the ames and smoke resulting in increased visibility. e MNBG-E aviation crew then returned to Camp PICTURE: OF-3 Jenkins (3)
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 3 EOD INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MINE AWARENESS
On the 4th April each year, the international community celebrates International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. In Kosovo, this day represents the start of the Humanitarian Demining season and the Mine Action Centre from Kosovo Security Force, with KFOR EOD assets in support, marked the event with a disposal activity. Since the end of the Kosovo war in 1999, men, women and children have been working to rebuild their war-torn region. Duval Thomas Sgt. PICTURE: Sta A quick drive through the main cities proves there is optimism exactly how many of these UXOs the Orahovac Demolition Range in the rebuilding as many of the are hidden within Kosovo, teams for a joint operation to dispose of streets are lined with smiling faces of explosive ordnance disposal more than 60 UXOs. and newly constructed stores. members from Kosovo Force and The operation also marked the While the people of Kosovo NATO are working together with beginning of the demining season work diligently to rebuild their the Kosovars to eliminate the in Kosovo. countryside, remnants of war threat. “By getting rid of the UXO’s we continue to resurface. Every year, On the 4th April, multinational are taking a danger away from hundreds of pieces of unexploded EOD teams from the Kosovo the public space,” said Maj. Alex ordnance and munition left Security Forces (KSF), Spora, Swiss EOD detachment over from war are unearthed Switzerland, Ukraine, Moldova, commander. “This is what the and exposed to unsuspected and U.S. armies came together at basic function of an EOD team is. pedestrians. While no one can calculate
We try to protect the Kosovo population from the explosive hazards being left out in the country.” Among the pile of explosives turned over to the KSF and NATO were a mixture of anti-
4 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 EOD tank mines, grenades, mortars, and rocket propelled grenades. Each pile of UXO’s highlights a different era of war in the Balkan regions. “We cannot forget that Kosovo and a major part of the Balkans has been a battlefield for centuries which means we have old munitions dating back to 1912, 1914 into the 1990’s,” said Spora. For many Kosovo soldiers like Cpl. Roland Reshitaj, of KSF EOD Company, forgetting that his land was once a battlefield is not an option and instead said he uses it as motivation when doing his job. “Every demolition makes Kosovo a safer place,” said Reshitaj. “When we do a demolition, in our mind we think we are doing our job right and we are so proud.” While the KSF have an invested interest since it is their region and their people, Spora and the members of the Kosovo Force team share the weight of keeping the Kosovars safe. “We share the common language as EOD techs, we share common burdens and challenges, this is what makes us brothers in arms,” said Spora. With the demining season just starting the KFOR and KSF EOD teams are preparing for a busy season but are prepared to tackle the challenges that lay ahead, shoulder to shoulder. “The KSF teams are very professional, they’re very capable, and they have a very good relationship with the KFOR EOD teams. We work very well together,” said Spora. “Glad to be part of this operation,” said Reshitaj. “I am so happy to work with the other countries.”
Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval
OR-6 USA-A (3) Duval Thomas Sgt. PICTURE: Sta
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 5 NL AT PUBLIC COLLABORATION OF NLAT AND KSF TRADOC IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF KSF
Established on the 4th of July 2013, this through the provision of charge of education, training and NATO Liaison and Advisory Team advice and support at brigade level development, and standardization (NLAT) supports the ongoing and above. In this scope, NLAT of the KSF doctrinal publications. development of the Kosovo collaborates with KSF Training and TRADOC, consisting of di erent Security Force (KSF) within its Doctrine Command (TRADOC), centres such as Basic Training, current mandate. NLAT achieves a brigade level institution in Specialist Training, Leadership PICTURE: Lt Col Halil Sıddık AYHAN (2) PICTURE: Halil Sıddık AYHAN Col Lt
6 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 NL AT
and Professional Development, Collective Training Centre and University Study is responsible for conducting basic, specialized, leadership and collective training for the KSF active and reserve personnel alike. KSF TRADOC Deputy Commander, Col Irfete Spahiu met with the Chief of NLAT Command Advisory Branch Col Cem Sen (TUR A) and Chief of Subject Matter Experts Branch
Col Wolfgang Mika (GER A), and (2) PICTURE: Halil Sıddık AYHAN Col Lt the advisors. She expressed her gratitude to the NLAT personnel completed the march even though are eager to learn military skills for their outstanding contribution the route was steep and Cadets until it is mastered. e students and support in training the KSF carried the mandatory 15 kg back are also aware that these training personnel. She also stressed that pack, ri e and helmet. As NLAT skills will develop their con dence closer cooperation with TRADOC, advisors, we appreciated the physical to perform their operational tasks advisors and subject matter experts strength, discipline, motivation of in the future. It is an undeniable from NLAT embodying an array of the Cadets and a er the challenge fact that the collaboration of the 14 di erent nations has helped KSF we departed with positive hopes for professional NLAT Advisors and progress in its path to a professional the future o cers of the KSF. the highly quali ed KSF instructors force. In April, NLAT Advisors attended is key to the success of TRADOC. On the 11th March, NLAT Advisors various courses in TRADOC. and the KSF Cadets currently ese courses were Basic NCO enrolled in the University Study Training Course, Sta Command Centre conducted a 20km route Procedures and Language Courses. Lt Col Halil Sıddık AYHAN march. All participants successfully It was observed that the students OF-4 TUR A
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 7 DANCON DANCON MARCH IN KOSOVO e famous and popular “DANCON March” was held at Camp Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny with more than 950 participants (EULEX KOSOVO, KFOR troops) on the 3rd of April 2016.
aiding another if the need arises and to triumph together as we reach our goals,” said M.H. Klausen, re team leader for the Danish contingent. “A marching soldier is older than the wheel and in this simple discipline we can strengthen ourselves as an individual and our bond as fellow brothers in arms.” For each one of the participants who nished the DANCON March within a predetermined time the reward was a medal, a diploma and a nice day with their comrades. e DANCON March is a tradition Kosovo, the DANCON march In the advertised categories in the Danish Defence Forces and it served as a milestone and an the rst three participants who was initially held in 1972 when the opportunity to bond with their successfully completed the march Royal Danish Army was deployed allied partners. “We are deployed as got recognition. e awards were handed by Major Peter Kaplers, who 25 km (men): 25 km (women): is the Danish Senior Representative in Kosovo. OR-9 Marek MAZUR (POL) 2h31m OR-3 Petra ZNIDARIC (SVN) 3h56m OF-1 Oleksandr NEDASHOVSKYI (UKR) OR-3 Arnò CARMEN (ITA) 4h05m Congratulations to all the 2h45m OR-4 Arlae VALENZUELA (USA) 4h09m participants, and well done to the OR-7 Sándor KOMOR (HUN) 2h49m Danish Platoon for organising the event.
40 km (women): 40 km (men):
OR-6 Lemos MARISA (PRT) 6h33m OR-1 Marco SANTOS (PRT) 5h11m OR-5 Cinus PIERPAOLO (ITA) 5h22m OR-2 Andrea FILIPINYI (HUN) 6h56m 2/Lt Csaba BÚZ OR-6 Julia MATSCHUGA (GER) 7h26m OR-6 Gomes LEONEL (PRT) 5h24m OF-1 HUN-A & SSgt omas Duvall to Cyprus. an alliance and therefore we march OR-5 USA-A e Danish Platoon responsible in allegiance to each other, pushing for security at Camp Maréchal de to reach and nd our limitations, Lattre de Tassigny (CMLT) in Novo Selo organized this march. e level of di culty varied for participants as the event o ered two separate routes: a 25km and a 40km march. In addition to the distance, each hopeful had to carry at least 22 pounds (10kg) of gear, not including the weight of their normal combat uniform and the water necessary to survive the challenge.
For many soldiers deployed to (2) PICTURE: MNBG - E PAO
8 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 JRD - C JOINT REGIONAL DETACHMENT CENTRE HOSTS KOSOVO POLICE WORKSHOP On the 14th April, Joint Regional Detachment Centre (JRD-C) organized the 1st Workshop for Kosovo Police (KP) Commanders from JRD-C Area of Responsibility (AOR). e event was held in the Hollywood Center in Camp Film City.
e idea for the workshop originated with JRD-C to discuss policing issues and priorities in their Commander Colonel Massimo Mela and its aims were municipalities. to: • Engage in a constructive dialogue on security issues; • Exchange relevant information for better mutual Lt. Dénes MOLNÁR, understanding and reciprocal assistance; OF-1 HUN-A • Reinforce relationships and expand the scope of possible cooperation. Kosovar Albanian and Kosovar Serb Police O cers accepted the invitation and took part in the event which was arranged and hosted by JRD-C with the support of KFOR Headquarters Branches. Topics related to security issues were discussed with KFOR specialists and KP Commanders. e workshop was based on di erent approaches of the same problem and it was a very good opportunity to exchange the experience and the results that the two organizations (KFOR and Kosovo Police) revealed in the event. KFOR Chief of Sta , Brigadier General Boyles, honoured the event with his presence and greeted the KP Commanders. JRD-C Commander, Colonel Massimo Mela, mentioned in his speech the huge e ort that the Police o cers give in providing a Safe and Secure Environment (SASE) in KOSOVO. Colonel Mela also appreciated the results that the Kosovo Police has already gained in a short period since its establishment in 2008. e main aim of the event was to tighten the links among the KFOR and Kosovo Police and to pursue a common goal to create and maintain Safe and Secure Environment Kosovo wide. e workshop also presented an opportunity for the KP Commanders PICTURE: (3) Perna
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 9 COS THE GENERAL’S PERSPECTIVE is month the Chronicle Team spoke with KFOR’s Chief of Sta , Brigadier General Janson D. Boyles.
Brigadier General Janson D. Boyles took over as the Chief of Sta of KFOR on 09 June 2015. BG Boyles’ previous appointment before becoming COS KFOR was commander of the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. BG Boyles was commissioned in 1982 through the Reserve O cer Training Corps program at Mississippi State University. He spent his initial apprenticeship as a young o cer in the United States Army Medical Corp before re-commissioning to the United States Army Engineer Corps. BG Boyles was in command of the engineer response to hurricane Katrina, in 2005, and deployed to Operational Enduring Freedom PICTURE: Hajrullahu Afrim in Afghanistan, in 2008, as the drawn from over 30 nations. 3. What are your main deputy commander overseeing Uno cially, I do what’s called priorities as CoS between now and engineer sustainment operations “herding cats” back home! By that the end of the mission? in regional commands East and I mean that I try to get all sta I have 2 months le in the mission South for the 101st and 82nd moving in the one direction and so my priorities are to nish those Airborne Divisions. focused on a common goal. jobs that I started: getting the BG Boyles was awarded a Rotarary Wing Deployed Operating Bachelor in Engineering from 2. What are the biggest Base (RWDOB) to IOC, closing Mississippi State University, in challenges you face in your FOB 31, manning the new BN, 1982, and also has a Masters in appointment? establishing a path of success for strategic studies from the United I was a one star Commander back the new Role 2 Medical Treatment States Army War College. BG home, so the work of the Chief of Facility. I also want to ensure that Boyles is a highly decorated Sta came pretty easy to me. My my HOTO is comprehensive, so o cer with many awards to his approach is to identify the task, that the new CoS is empowered and name including the Bronze Star assign the right sta and let them can hit the ground running. medal. do the job. I am fortunate to have a very talented sta , that is very 4. How has your service and 1. Sir, can you describe what good at identifying, analysing and education in the US National Guard are the roles and responsibilities of developing Courses of Action for prepared you for this role? the Chief of Sta in KFOR? the issues which challenge this I am an engineer by trade and O cially, as Chief of Sta I serve headquarters. was a one-star Commander of a as the principal coordinator and My biggest challenge, as Chief logistical command before arriving executive coordination agent of Sta , is managing timelines in Kosovo. My command had for the Commander of KFOR especially when factors outside our just nished preparing for their (COMKFOR). I supervise the control impact our plans. “War ghter” exercise. So without Headquarters (HQ) sta , that is a doubt, the preparation I received made up of a large multi-national preparing for the “War ghter” contingent of soldiers and civilians was very bene cial. e National
10 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 COS
Guard functions very similar to the active army. Decision making process are the same so - at this level, having experience making decisions, prioritizing decisions, in a military manner has been my best preparation over time.
5. National Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training and readiness. As a Brigadier General in the National Guard, how do you balance your command responsibilities with your civilian life? e two complement each other. PICTURE: Hajrullahu Afrim My civilian job requires engineering helps to make me a better o cer. such as religion, alcohol, family and skills as does my military National In my business, I o en employ stay safely behind that line. Guard job. Time availability is an elements of the MDMP such as issue; however, as a business owner developing and presenting Courses 8. Based on your observations I am able to manage my time in of Action to customers to help as CoS what are the biggest order to serve in the military, as the with proposals and to aid decision challenges KFOR faces and how can military dictates. Without doubt, making. KFOR prepare to deal with these the National Guard in uences challenges? my life every day. In my business 7. What is your personal We perform our mission very well o ce, I have one desk for my risk leadership philosophy and how has and our challenge is to get the mix of management work and another it evolved as you progressed through the future of KFOR right. We need desk for my National Guard work. your career? to strike a balance between kinetic e National Guard is supposed to I have a speech that I give to young and non-kinetic forces. We also be part time, but every day I sit at o cers and the essential message is: need to engage in putting a Kosovo my military desk and work on some take care of your soldiers, take care face on everything we do. By doing aspect of National Guard business. of your family and stay out of jail this, we will create the conditions (metaphorically speaking). for mission success. 6. Are the skills you employ in • Based on my experience, your civilian job transferrable to I believe that soldiers want to be 9. What message would you your military life (and vice versa)? trained to improve their skills, like to give to KFOR soldiers? Both jobs are engineering jobs, so empowered and rewarded for their I really enjoyed the multi-national yes. My civilian job is more oriented e orts. If you can manage these environment and it has been one of towards risk management projects elements as a commander, your the most rewarding jobs I’ve had in in the medical community while soldiers will respect you. my military service. I encourage my military job allows me to get my • With regard to family, it’s the soldiers of KFOR to embrace hands dirty, actually performing important to be patient with them. the multi-national environment! construction oriented projects. e In the military we are used to making Work hard and enjoy learning about thought processes are the same quick decisions, with almost instant your partner nation’s soldiers, their and are transferrable. e military grati cation. Managing family country, traditions and customs. work gives me a distraction from life is di erent and the investment Learn all you can about Kosovo, my full time work while still being of time and e ort may take 20-30 its history and people – enjoy the productive. e Military Decision years to see the end product. experience and stay out of jail! Making Process (MDMP) makes • By staying out of jail, I me a better businessman, while am talking about living a life of the customer service skills I have integrity. is is where you draw Maj. Colin Lawlor developed over my working life a line in the sand on moral issues OF-3 IRL-A
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 11 A VISUAL OVERVIEW
06 APR 2016 Pristina, Kosovo. Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta and the Chief of General Sta of the FYROM* Army, Lieutenant General Metodija Velichkovski, engage in High Level Talks. PICTURE: Mercuri
08 APR 2016 Pristina, Kosovo. KFOR Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta welcomes the President of Republic of Croatia, H.E. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, at Camp “Film City” NATO KFOR Headquarters. PICTURE: Perna
11 APR 2016 Pristina, Kosovo. Kosovo Force Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, meets the Chief of Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad. PICTURE: (3) Perna
*Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia“ (FYROM). Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
12 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 A VISUAL OVERVIEW
12 APR 2016 Pristina, Kosovo. Kosovo Force Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, meets with President Hashim aci. PICTURE: Mercuri (2)
18 APR 2016 e Italian Minister of Defence, Mrs. Roberta Pinotti was welcomed to Kosovo, by Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta.
20 APR 2016 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. KFOR Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, meets EUFOR Commander, Major General Friedrich Schrötter. PICTURE: Perna
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 13 MNBG - E EXERCISE FOX II From 8-18th April KFOR’s Tactical Manoeuvre Battalion (KTM) engaged in an intense period of training in preparation for the Full Operational Capability exercise “FOX II”. e purpose of “FOX II” is to validate to COMKFOR that the newly arrived KTM unit has reached Full Operational Capability.
Preparation training for this exercise was conducted at the KTM base at Camp Slim Lines and also at Camp Vrelo. Training focused mainly on practicing tactics, techniques and procedures required for dealing with a Crowd Riot Control situation. Training culminated when “FOX II” started on early in the morning of the 18th of April. e exercise required the employment of the full battalion and was a true test of command, control and interoperability of KTM’s companies that are composed of Portuguese and Hungarian Soldiers. US forces from the Multi- PICTURE: Hajrullahu Afrim National Battle Group East (MNBG-E) provided enthusiastic Switzerland contingents and the Francisco Sousa, Commander of exercise troops and simulated the Tactical Psychological Operations the KTM, declared the KTM’s Full challenging situation of violent Team (TPT) from Romanian and Operational Capability – ready to public disorder in an urban area. Danish contingents. deploy directly under COMKFOR’s Road blocks on a Main Supply Route During the exercise, the Tactical Control as KFOR’s tactical (MSR) creating signi cant Freedom KTM demonstrated that the reserve. of Movement (FOM) problems, harmonization of Standard KTM’s capabilities includes a wide violent clashes, casualty evacuation, Operational Procedures (SOPs), range of security operations, person booby traps and a hot reception of TTPs and C2 were achieved. Lt Col designated with special status close Molotov cocktails were just some of the tactical problems the KTM troops faced. KTM’s Command and Control (C2) at tactical level, the inter-nation coordination and the standardization of CRC Tactical and Technical Procedures (TTPs) were tested comprehensively. e KTM unit rose to the challenge admirably with the assistance of other KFOR nations who supported the exercise including: the Air Tactical Reserve from Croatia and Switzerland contingents, the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) from Switzerland contingent, the Freedom of Movement Detachment (FOMD#1) from Ukraine contingent, the KFOR International Military Police (IMP) from Austria and PICTURE: Lawlor Colin Maj.
14 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 MNBG - E PICTURE: Lawlor Colin Maj. security, property designated with special status security, road control, escorting columns, surveillance, reconnaissance, population aid and other infantry tasks. is Unit can be deployed anywhere in the theatre of operations and perform any task or mission for an unlimited period of time, being completely independent.
Capt. Paulo Gomes OF-2 PRT-A PICTURE: Hajrullahu (2) Afrim
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 15 CoC KFOR UNITS CHANGE OF COMMAND April was a busy month with several Change of Command ceremonies taking place within KFOR’s Units. COM KFOR, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, presided over the ceremonies thanking the outgoing units for their service with KFOR and welcoming the incoming commanders and their units to the mission area.
JOINT LOGISTIC SUPPORT BATTALION
After six months of serving as the commander of the JLSG and the 33rd Austrian Contingent, Colonel Rudolf Zauner relinquished command and responsibility, on 2nd April, to Colonel Arnold Staudacher who now commands the JLSG and the 34th Austrian Contingent. Currently, there are around 500 Austrian service members deployed with KFOR. JLSG’s role is to ensure theatre level logistics support and military engineering support to KFOR forces by employing organic Combat Support and Combat Service Support capabilities in order facilitate a Safe and Secure Environment and Freedom of Movement. JLSG’s functions includes general engineer support, transportation and recovery, EOD, fuel supply and reception, staging and onward movement. The unit is commanded by an Austrian Officer and is comprised of troops from 16 different troop
contributing nations. PICTURE: Mercuri (2)
KFOR TACTICAL MANOEUVRE BATTALION On the 07th April, KFOR Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, presided over the change of command ceremony for the KTM in Slim Lines Camp, in Pristina. The ceremony marked the official handover of the post of KFOR Tactical Manoeuvre Battalion Commander from Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Macieira to Lieutenant Colonel Francisco PICTURE: KTM PAO
16 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 CoC
Sousa. After six months, the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion has been replaced by the 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Battalion. The KFOR Tactical Reserve Manoeuvre Battalion (KTM), multinational unit comprised of Portuguese and Hungarian soldiers, is directly under COMKFOR’s Tactical Control as tactical reserve. PICTURE: KTM PAO
JOINT REGIONAL DETACHMENT NORTH CHANGE OF COMMAND
On 9th April, the handover of command from Swiss Colonel Hansjorg Fischer to Swiss Colonel Reto Ulrich Fluhmann within Joint Regional Detachment North (JRD-N) was marked at “Camp Marechal de Lattre de Tassigny”, in Novo Selo. Colonel Fischer has commanded JRD-N since December 2014 and, during this period, he led intense liaison activity with the political, social and religious authorities in JRD-N’s area of operations. This work contributed significantly to the improved relationships between all the communities of the area. JRD-N is a multinational unit and is made up of military personnel from Greece, Slovenia and Switzerland operating through non-kinetic assets called Liaison and Monitoring Teams (LMTs). The primary role of JRD-N is to monitor possible hot spots providing early warning on critical situations and new risk areas; identifying possible key leaders/key factors; liaising at local level with population, authorities, IOs and NGOs.
Maj. Colin Lawlor OF-3 IRL-A PICTURE: Mercuri (3)
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 17 LMT CROATIAN DELEGATION VISITS KFOR Forces have run KFOR LMT courses speci cally designed for personnel that will be deployed with LMTs. e purpose of this visit was to identify the way ahead with respect how to revitalise and shape the LMT course to the current situation in Kosovo. is visit a orded the members of the delegation the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the unique requirements of KFOR’s LMT role so that they could adapt the course content for KFOR’s needs. ey visited all the three JRDs and several LMTs where the visiting team was briefed in detail on the e commander of the within their areas. ey achieve role that LMTs play in Kosovo. International Military Operations this by gathering information and “ is is a very important visit” said Centre of Croatia (IMOC) and liaising with local authorities, IOs Brigadier General Korom. “ e representatives of the Croatian and NGOs. JRDs work closely with ground work completed during this all Municipalities where the unit visit will lay the foundation for the contributes to the maintenance of education of future KFOR LMTs, so a Safe and Secure Environment and it’s important that we get it right” he Freedom of Movement through the said. monitoring and early identi cation According to the IMOC of security, socio-economic and commander, the updated NATO political situations. LMT course is expected to Traditionally, soldiers are taught commence at the Croatian Armed the “hard” military skills and are Forces, International Military trained in the use of kinetic assets Operations Centre, before the end that are required to win battles or of this year. wars. e JRDs however, require a “so er” approach and a di erent Land Forces Command visited skillset. ey require soldiers to KFOR from 19-22 April 2016 to operate as non-kinetic assets within Lt Col Attila Murinko view the work of KFOR’s Joint LMTs. LMTs require training OF-4 HUN-A Regional Detachments (JRDs) and appropriated for their role in order Liaison and Monitoring Teams to maximise their e ectiveness. (LMTs). e visit was hosted Since 2010, the Croatian Armed by Deputy Commander KFOR, Brigadier General Ferenc Korom and the purpose of the visit was to re-establish the NATO accredited LMT Courses organised by IMOC. Currently, there are three JRDs within KFOR’s organisational structure: JRD-N, JRD-S and JRD-C. Essentially, their role is to support COMKFOR’s situational awareness and communication campaign PICTURE: Hajrullahu(2) Afrim
18 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 CULTURAL CORNER GADIMA CAVE A visit to Gadima Cave o ers a window into Kosovo’s 500 million year old past. is month the Chronicle Team spent a morning with Director of Gadima Cave, Mr. Përparim Gashi exploring Kosovo’s wonderful subterranean world!
Gadima Cave is located in the district of Gadima, in Lipjan, approximately 20km south east of Pristina. Unearthed by a local man quarrying rocks in his back garden in 1969, over 5000m of passages and galleries have been discovered to date, but the full extent of the cave has not yet been established. In 1976, the cave was opened to the public and, since 2014, it
has come under the auspices of PICTURE: Hajrullahu (3) Afrim Kosovo’s Protection Agency for the environment. e infrastructure “ ere are a number of di erent of blue, green, red and white. of the site is well developed with types of rock of di erent ages found ere are some great examples accessible paths, guided tours and in the area of Gadima. Geological of geological features such as an adjacent café and restaurant. experts believe that the oldest rocks stalactites, stalagmites, pillars Gadima Cave is an important date back to the Paleozoic period” and curtains at various stages of tourist attraction for a wide variety said Mr. Gashi. is means the development throughout the cave. Some of the more life-like features have been given names such as ‘ e Hand’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘ e Swallows Nest’. Another unusual feature is the presence of white aragonite crystals growing on the roof of the cave that oriented in all directions appearing to defy the laws of gravity. ere are three di erent levels to the cave: an upper level that is not open to the public, the middle level has roughly parallel corridors, the middle level is open to visitors and is of visitors including schools, rocks are somewhere between approximately 1200m in length and families and geoecotourists. 542 and 251 million years old! a closed lower level that consists of e Chronicle Team were ese rocks were metamorphosed up to 30 lakes. Most of the lakes are pleasantly surprised by what this site (changed) by both pressure and contained in the compact marbles presented. e Cave Director – Mr. heat due to volcanic and/or tectonic and are up to 25m deep. Përparim Gashi kindly escorted us activity in the Mesozoic Era (250 e Chronicle team highly through the underground labyrinth – 65 million years ago) to form recommends a visit to Gadima of tunnels and briefed us on the the marble limestone we can see Cave. A team of eight guides are geology and history of the site. today in the cave. ere are only a on hand to lead visitors through the Having studied geology in college few marble caves in the world and caves and explain the key features. and spent some time in caves as a this feature alone makes a visit to student, I recognised that this cave Gadima very worthwhile. Maj. Colin Lawlor was very di erent to those I visited One of the outstanding features of OF-3 IRL-A before. this cave is the colourful marbles
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 19 PICTURE OF THE MONTH
Commander KFOR XX Major General PICTURE OF THE MONTH Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, Italian Army April 2016 Chief Public Affairs Office & COMKFOR Spokesman Col. Francesco Patalano, Italian Army Chief Internal Information & Editor KFOR Chronicle Maj. Colin Lawlor, Irish Defence Forces [email protected] Design & Photographer: Mr. Afrim Hajrullahu Cover Photo: Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval E-mail and Web [email protected] www.nato.int/kfor Printed by BLENDI Tel.: 044 149 115 NATO Nations within KFOR Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. Non-NATO Nations within KFOR “ The hidden beauty” Armenia, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Equipment Used: Moldova, Sweden, Switzerland, Olympus OMD EM10 Ukraine. Lens: Olympus Zuiko 14-150 Contribute to the ISO 200 1/100; f/5.6 Soft Focus The KFOR Chronicle is produced KFORChronicle! and fully funded by HQ KFOR. It is Just send your photos to: Naim Shala published for KFOR soldiers in the area of responsibility. The contents [email protected] by the 25th are not necessarily the official views of the month explaining where you took the of, or endorsed by, the coalition photo and what equipment you used. We will governments’ defence departments. then select one of the submitted images and Editorial content is edited, prepared publish it in the next edition of the Chronicle. and provided by the Internal Infor- mation Section of HQ KFOR’s Pub- lic Affairs Office (PAO) in Pristina, You will be immortalised in the KFOR Kosovo. PAO HQ KFOR reserves Chronicle! the right to edit content to conform Is that not something to be proud of? to style and space requirements. Articles are run on a space-availa- Sincerely ble basis. The Chronicle Team
20 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 PROFILES
Military Education: I joined the Greek Army in 2004 when I was 20 years old. I completed my Basic Training and Military School Training for non- graduate officer level at the Military School in Trikola City, in the centre of Greece. I then completed a Basic Infantry Course followed by a military vehicle driver’s course. I am a trained mechanic on Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and I have worked in several APC units. I also am a quali- fied military parachutist.
About the Mission: The Greek Guard is responsible for security of Camp Film City and I am responsible for security at the main gate. It is a very im- portant job and we are very busy.
Family Reaction: My parents and sister live in Greece and we stay in touch Name: Vasiliki Letsou through Skype and Viber.
Rank: OR-7 Hobbies: I was a sprinter and competed nationally at the 100m and 200m. When I was competing I was ranked 12th in Greece for the 100m and 16th Nationality: Greek for the 200m. I like swimming and CrossFit training. I enjoy Greek and Unit: Greek Guard house music. I like spending time on the beach and visiting the Greek Islands.
Military Education: I joined the Irish Defence Forces in September 1997. I completed my Recruit and 2-3* Training in Athlone and was posted to the 4th Artillery Regiment. I completed a Parachute Course, several Artillery Young Entry and Instructor Courses including the Artillery Gun Comman- ders Course. I completed my Potential NCO Course in 2001, my Standard NCO Course in 2005 and Senior NCO Course in 2009. My current unit is the 2nd Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade where my appointment is Battery Sergeant. I deployed overseas to Lebanon in 1998, 2000 and 2012. I de- ployed to Liberia in 2004 and this deployment to KFOR is my 5th overseas mission.
About the Mission: I work in the Joint Visitors Bureau where I assist in the planning, preparation and co-ordination of all visits to KFOR HQ. The job Name: Will Bastic is very different to any job that I have done before. It is very busy and I enjoy working there. Rank: OR-9 Family Reaction: I am married to Rachelle and we have four children – two Nationality: Irish girls and two boys: Callum (9), Caitlin (8), Jamie (6) and Ellie (5). We stay Unit: JVB in touch through Skype. Hobbies: I enjoy competing in and training for triathlon and I also like shooting. Spending time with my family is the most important hobby I have.
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 21 BEWARE ALLERGIC RHINITIS Allergic rhinitis is a common complaint consisting of the in ammation of nasal mucosa due to exposure to a range of substances. It a ects more than 10% of world’s population.
e risk of contracting this ailment is increased in people that: • Live in very polluted areas; • Are susceptible to allergies; • Were born during spring.
ere are two types of patients: •“Th e Blocker” with nose e most alarming symptoms are of rhinitis are more likely to be congestion, mucous and rarely asthma and a sensation of short reported. e new generation sneezing; breath. If this occurs the patient anti-histaminic drugs are long •“Th e Sneezer and Runner” with must be brought to the medical lasting with the chance of a unique sneezing, running nose, nose itch, facility. e most e cient form of administration su cient for 24 nose congestion and conjunctivitis. prevention is the removal of the hours. allergen that causes the symptoms, even if this is di cult to achieve. e medical therapy is aimed to reduce the levels of histamine in the Salvatore Della Volpe blood. Histamine is the mediator OF-2 ITA-A of in ammation responsible for & this process and it is produced by Dafne Evangelista our body every 24 hours with the OF-2 ITA-A maximum concentration in the early morning. is is the time of the day that acute manifestations
To reduce the risk of outdoor allergies we can: • Have sport when the pollen concentration in To reduce the risk of indoor allergies can be the air is low (pollen is more concentrated from helpful: 5.00 am to 10.00 am • Removing dust from fl oors, linens, blankets • Keep car windows closed when travelling in and carpets polluted areas • Preventing the infestation by insects and • Prevent the accumulation of pollen on the beatles body taking frequent showers, washing hair • Avoiding the growing of mould in dark and and changing clothes when you go back in humid rooms your room • Avoid touching fresh cut grass
22 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 MP MESSAGE & RADIO K4
KEEP CALM - and check your bank account! Cashless payments and the usage of cash terminals are common in our society, even KFOR in the mission area and inside the camps. There are some risks to have your money stolen can be prevented by a view easy precautions. MOP
In Kosovo the most frequently used currency is the Euro. While it is a modern and technologically advanced currency beware of counterfeit bank notes. All banknotes can be checked following the FEEL – LOOK – TILT routine. Also a variety of smartphone- apps are available to assist you. If you want to con rm the validity of your banknote contact your MP station or a nearby bank! If you withdraw cash from a cash terminal keep the receipt until you have checked your bank account!
Cashless paymet is convenient but...
It results in digital data transfer that can be accessed by sophisticated criminal activity. Contact your bank and the MP station if you suspect your are a victim of cyber crime. Always keep receipts of yor transactions as they can be useful if you need to make a complaint. Check your bank account transactions frequently and compare this with your spending records.
KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016 23 www.nato.int/kfor
24 KFOR CHRONICLE 04/2016