KFORThe KFOR Magazine for KFOR CHRONICLE Soldiers January 2015 THE SNOW DIDN‘T AFFECT MNBG-W‘S OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY NATO SECRETARY NEW YEAR’S GENERAL VISITS CHARITY CONCERT KFOR www.nato.int/kfor CONTENT COM KFOR’S NEW YEAR ADDRESS LOOKING FORWARD. SAFETY ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY 03 04 DURING WINTER. NATO VISIT OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TO KFOR. CHARITY 06 NEW YEAR’S CHARITY CONCERT. VISITS TO KFOR HQ 08 A VISUAL OVERVIEW. JLSG 10 JLSG MARKS 5 YEARS IN CSM KFOR KFOR. NCOS AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS 12 CHALLENGE. 14 NLAT CHANGE of COMMAND. OPERATION “BOZIC”: 16 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! 18 KFOR GENAD GENDER TRAINING. PROFILES 20 George SAVVIDIS. 21 Judith MARLOWE. SUDOKU AN ACTIVITY FOR THE PICTURE OF THE MONTH BRAIN. YOUR CHANCE TO BE A 22 23 PART OF IT! 2 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 COM KFOR’S NEW YEAR ADDRESS COM KFOR’S NEW YEAR ADDRESS – LOOKING FORWARD As usual every New Year brings with it its share of hopes, expectations and opportunities, but also allows us to reflect on what we have achieved. This year is no different. kind in over four years and served to highlight some of our achievements. We have proven ourselves to be an extremely As outlined by Mr Stoltenberg: “Sixteen years ago, dynamic and versatile force here in Kosovo and we NATO came here in the aftermath of bloodshed have improved the security situation throughout and war. Today, Kosovo is a very different place. the region by rethinking the way activities such Peaceful, stable, increasingly prosperous. Under as patrols, static observation posts and electronic a clear United Nations mandate, our mission has surveillance were performed. Additionally, we helped transform Kosovo into a safer place. And it continue to work with all parties to find a viable has helped make the Western Balkans more stable. solution to the issues related to the Administrative KFOR will continue to preserve a safe and secure Boundaries Lines. environment and guarantee freedom of movement Over the last number of months we successfully for all people in Kosovo”. You have, in no small promoted inter-religious dialogue amongst the way, contributed to this new reality and we will Orthodox, Muslim and Christian religious leaders continue to strive for a better future in the region. by organizing and hosting a trilateral meeting. Be confident that you are held in the highest regard Much progress has been witnessed in this area as by the people of Kosovo. In recent independent principles of peace and tolerance were displayed. surveys carried out amongst all ethnic groups, The road that was built at the Decane Monastery KFOR emerged as the international organisation was a symbolic act that brought together, for the first perceived to be the most reliable. Of that you can time ever, the political and religious stakeholders be proud. of the town of Decane, namely the Mayor and the We have already commenced 2015 in a most Abbot of the Monastery, changing dramatically the positive and productive way, moving forward with record of confrontation and incomprehension. strong determination and commitment. Colleagues Moving forward we remain committed to we should all look ahead with anticipation as to contributing to a safe and secure environment and what the future will hold. maintaining freedom of movement here in Kosovo. Happy New Year to You all The KFOR team is a multinational organisation with soldiers from 31 different countries all Francesco Paolo FIGLIUOLO contributing in their own way to the success of Major General the mission. The recent visit of NATO Secretary COM KFOR General, Mr. Stoltenberg, was the first visit of its KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 3 TRAFFIC SAFETY ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY DURING WINTER Driving in KOSOVO especially in to winter weather conditions can be a very dangerous concern when operating military vehicles. In addition, most of the roads in KOSOVO are narrow, in bad condition, not illuminated during the night and without any road markings which makes crossing, particularly for large military vehicles, very difficult. Therefore it is essential to be drugs or medications - Examine your tyres (snow familiar with all the chronicled - Always make certain that tires), the tyre pressure and make determinations (SOP´s) and the you had enough sleep or rest be- sure that you have skid chains rules of protocol referring to road fore operating a vehicle. available safety. Such SOPs are valid the- - All drivers who are opera- - Dim lights must be used atre wide. Beyond that, KFOR- ting vehicles in the KFOR AOR even during daylight personal should always keep in and AOO have to be familiar with - Always fasten seatbelts mind that self-responsibility be- the SOP´s and the traffic regula- - NO cell phone usage when fore, during and after operating tions in KOSOVO (vehicle move- driving KFOR-vehicles is also extremely ment codes, speed limits, traffic - Adapt your speed to the important. routes, location of minefields in road conditions (hint for driving the area of travelling and adequa- on an icy road: drive like having The following instructions are te maps) a raw egg between your boot and for your safety and the safety of - Make sure, before you use the accelerator pedal) everyone else! a vehicle, that its reliability is gua- - KFOR drivers (Blue Fleet, ranteed Green Fleet, national force vehic- - Do NOT operate a vehic- - Be capable of using emer- les) must follow the speed limit as le under the influence of alcohol, gency and winter equipment shown on the posted traffic signs. 4 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 TRAFFIC SAFETY - Keep a safe distance be- The aim of this article is to rai- Things always seem to happen hind the vehicle in front of you se awareness of drivers and com- when you least expect them. - Reduce the speed of the manders of all ranks, to the risks vehicle even if traffic signs autho- and possible life threatening situ- rize higher speed limits especially ations they are likely to encounter when people or animals are close whilst driving in the KFOR AOR Lt Col Roland Reinprecht to the edge of the road or AOO. OF-4 AUT A - Slow down when the mo- FORCE PROVOST MARSHAL torway is getting foggy, rainy or snowy, on bridges and when ap- proaching intersections - Always keep in mind that the local drivers may not have winter tyres or have bald tyres but are still driving - The driver next to you may not drive as you are used to. That means their style is more ag- gressive and risky. Therefore be patient and use defensive driving techniques. - Make sure that you know the destination of your trip, the length of the trip and at least one alternative route to get there - Do not try to make up for lost time! Right now, during win- tertime, it is life threatening to speed. KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 5 NATO SECRETARY GENERAL VISIT OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TO KFOR On the 23rd January 2015 NATO Secretary General Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, visited Camp “Film City” NATO KFOR Headquarters in Pristina. This was the first such visit in over four years. Mr Stoltenberg who was accompanied by Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III Commander JFC Naples, was welcomed to the camp by COM KFOR, Major General Francesco Paolo FIGLIUOLO The NATO Secretary General was briefed by KFOR Commander and the international HQ Staff on the latest developments in the current security and socio-political situation in Kosovo. In particular, they highlighted the important results achieved by KFOR to ensure a secure environment, thus allowing the development of better social and economic conditions for all citizens of Kosovo. After the briefing, Mr. Stoltenberg met with the Representatives of the International Community in Kosovo, namely the UNMIK the mutual cooperation among Isa Mustafa, Mr. Hashim Thaçi, Mr. Head of mission, the EU Special the International Community Branimir Stojanović, and Mr. Haki Representative, the EULEX Organizations in order to enhance Demolli. Mr. Stoltenberg confirmed Head of Mission, and the OSCE the stability and the overall security that NATO would continue to Head of Mission. During these of the Kosovo were underlined. support security in Kosovo, talks, the great importance of the NATO Secretary General was also promoting progress and dialogue in comprehensive approach and received by Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, Mr. the area. PICTURE: Hajrullahu (2) Afrim 6 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 NATO SECRETARY GENERAL During the visit, the NATO Mr. Stoltenberg said, “Sixteen KFOR will continue to preserve a Secretary General also had the years ago, NATO came here in the safe and secure environment and opportunity to speak to KFOR aftermath of bloodshed and war. guarantee freedom of movement service-members deployed in Camp Today, Kosovo is a very different for all people in Kosovo. And I “Film City”. He expressed his pride place. Peaceful, stable, increasingly know you will do this firmly, fairly for the excellent results achieved prosperous. Under a clear United and impartially”. by KFOR, in improving the overall Nations mandate, our mission has security situation in Kosovo, thanks helped transform Kosovo into a Commandant Roisin Condron to the professionalism, dedication safer place. And it has helped make OF-3 IRL A and devotion of its soldiers. As the Western Balkans more stable. PICTURE: Hajrullahu (2) Afrim KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2015 7 CHARITY CONCERT NEW YEAR’S CHARITY CONCERT A New Year’s Charity Concert was held at the Mother Theresa Catholic Cathedral in Pristina on 13 January 2015. The concert was performed by the Wehrbereichsmucikkorps III Erfurt, Germany under the skillful hand of conductor Lieutenant Colonel Roland Kahle. The event was hosted by the German Embassy and the German Contingent at KFOR Headquarters and sought to raise funds for local charitable project.