KFOR CHRONICLE the MAGAZINE for KFOR PEOPLE May 2020
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KFOR CHRONICLE THE MAGAZINE FOR KFOR PEOPLE May 2020 FIGHTING BACK NATO RESPONSE TO COVID-19 A STRONG BACKUP KOSOVO FROM ABOVE CONTENT An Austrian disinfection team prepares to enter the Headquarters in Camp Film City to conduct a disinfection task. A variety of chemicals can be used depending on surface type. Even the size of the room and ventiliation systems are factors taken into consideration when deciding on the best approach. AN OPEN LETTER Address by the Commander MG Michele Risi p.3 STORY OF THE MONTH; FIGHTING BACK A Joint Effort KFOR PAO Staff p.4 A Strong Backup MAJ Catherine Palmberg p.7 NATO Response to Covid 19 Col Mario Renna p.9 Coronavirus… Towards the New World LTC Nico Caiazza p.11 FROM THE FIELD Maintaining Readiness Capt. Emanuele Colini p.13 Patrolling in Motrovicia PAO Staff p.13 Hungarian Mobile Patrol PAO Staff p.14 Delivering Aid Spc Miguel Ruiz p.14 SNAPSHOTS KFOR’s Activities in Pictures KFOR PAO Staff p.15 TROOPS OF KFOR Kosovo from above KFOR PAO Staff p.18 KFOR NEWS Protect yourself, Protect the animals Capt Megan Guyan P.20 High level meetings & more KFOR PAO Staff p.21 PROFILES Hungary, Poland Sweden, p.22 PHOTO OF THE MONTH ‘Sunset and Silhouette’ Maj. Stefano De Ruggieri p.23 2 AN OPEN LETTER My KFOR family colleagues, As you are well aware KFOR is operating in a particularly challenging environment. There are two main issues I want to address with you: Covid-19 and the security situation in Kosovo. But first, as commander of KFOR, I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued efforts. I want to assure you, your contributions are valued and appreciated by all KFOR leadership and indeed by the people of Kosovo. Through your efforts and commitment, your professionalism and resilience, the KFOR mission of contributing to a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo has continued unabated. As you know, every soldier needs a bit of luck, and regarding Covid-19 KFOR has, on the whole, been lucky. But we cannot and have not relied on luck. We have, and continue to work hard at minimizing the risk to you and the people of Kosovo. From the very beginning of this unprecedented crisis, I started meeting with Senior National Representatives of all troop contributing nations three times a week. These are informal gatherings in which all had a chance to express their grievances, concerns and suggestions. Such meetings continue and arising from such meetings, decisions are made, sometimes unpopular decisions, but they are made with the safety of you as an individual and as a member of the KFOR family uppermost in my mind. Many leisure facilities in CFC have been closed. Civilian staff had to live on base. All personnel, both civilian and military have been tested for Covid-19. The wearing of face masks is now mandatory in all KFOR camps. New procedures have been introduced regarding troop rotations. areas. In light of this, and in spite of the challenges of We have come to realize that immediate stratevac Covid-19, our operational tempo has increased, and in confirmed cases is the best option. I had one or we have the capacity to increase further if necessary. two instances in which the health conditions of some I have held a number of meetings with senior political patients deteriorated quickly and an urgent stratevac and community leaders to facilitate dialogue in easing saved their lives. We are now in a position to ease tensions. KFOR continues to support the institutions restrictions somewhat. This is thanks to the ‘buy in’ of Kosovo. KFOR has donated 70,000 Euro of from all of you. We must all continue with the very Personal Protection Equipment to hospitals in Pristina basics: washing your hands, maintaining social distance and Gracanica. Do not underestimate the impact you practices and wearing your facemask. We continue to have as you go about your daily security tasks. Your monitor, assess and evaluate our processes. We will contribution is valued and impactful. make changes if deemed necessary, either to ease or In conclusion, I thank you all once again. This is not a time reinstate restrictions. Why? To minimize the risk to for complacency either in regard to our on-going efforts you – our most valuable asset – and to ensure our against Covid-19 or regarding the security challenges mission continues, as it must. we face, I stand in admiration of your commitment Regarding our mission and the security challenges and professionalism. I urge you to keep up your efforts. we face, I should say that the political situation in Together, we make a difference. Kosovo at the moment is fragile. This fragility has led to an increased risk of civil disturbance. At the same Major General Michele Risi time we have seen a rise in tension in Serb inhabited COM KFOR 3 FIGHTING BACK A JOINT EFFORT Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there. The team advised on the from Austria, Slovenia and Allied armed forces have been best practices to implement Switzerland, under the supervision playing an important role in concerning the treatment and the of KFOR Headquarters Support supporting the Alliance’s response evacuation of possible COVID-19 Group. to the global pandemic. In Kosovo, patients and on individual The team has deployed to Pristina teams of specialists from NATO behaviours and hygiene measures in the first week of May and has Allies and partners – including to further prevent the spread of already disinfected the military Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and the virus. section of the airport, where Switzerland - have joined efforts The Italian Army is also providing KFOR troops and cargo are to this effect. The Italian Army’s a team of nine personnel from transiting on a regular basis. The Logistic Command provided a the 7Th Chemical-Biological- Italian specialists will now carry team of three medical doctors Radiological-Nuclear Defence out their activities at the medical who performed a 4-day survey Regiment ‘Cremona’ contributing facilities and accommodation sites in KFOR headquarters and to the current disinfection of in Camp Film City, which houses conducted a comprehensive common areas within the NATO- KFOR Headquarters. Special screening of multinational military led Kosovo Force, together with equipment of the 7th Regiment and civilian personnel deployed personnel and assets contributed includes indoor decontamination 4 KFOR Fighting Back: Specialist Teams from Austria,Italy and Switzerland conducted a comprehensive disinfection programme in all KFOR facilities, to minimize the risk to all military and civilian personnel and ensure continuity of operations is not affected by the Covid Pandemic. systems, suits to protect against virus. Otherwise, on some surfaces we demonstration of the important chemical-biological-radiological- make use of ethanol. Our schedule contributions delivered from NATO nuclear threats, FFP3 respirators, features about 30 whole buildings: Allies and partners to KFOR efforts. gloves and other special personal it is demanding work that will bring We are fully integrating these protection items. much improvement to the health of contributions into the preventive Capt. Paolo Nasto is the team the camp and its inhabitants.” measures that we have been leader and his Regiment has The whole effort provided for implementing to contain the spread already had similar experiences weeks by specialist teams from of the virus and successfully minimize in Northern Italy, as part of the the mentioned NATO Allies and risks to our soldiers and civilians, Italian Army’s task force consisting partners will have an impact on and to all the communities we serve of 21 teams, some of which have keeping key facilities safe and throughout Kosovo,” stated Major been deployed also overseas. “In sanitized. General Michele Risi. general we use a solution of 0.1% “The medical survey and the Sodium Hypochlorite, which is an disinfection of KFOR multinational appropriate concentration to kill the premises are another concrete KFOR PAO Staff 5 A member of the Austrian specialist disinfection team conducts his disinfection tasks. All common touch surfaces, like tables, computers, photocopiers etc are thoroughly cleaned with decontamination agent capable of killing the Covid-19 virus. Italian Captain Jacopo Bestetti discusses disinfection tactics techniques and procedures with specialists Rory Mibus of the Swiss contingent and Lt. Agnes Wildauer of the Austrian contingent. The sharing of expertise is an essential component of KFOR’s fight back against Covid-19. Two members of the Italian team prepare to conduct their disinfection tasks. The protective clothing they wear allows them to conduct their tasks safely. The best way to ensure everything is in order and all seals are secure is to operate the buddy – buddy system. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a member of the Italian disinfection team disinfects a medical facility in KFOR Headquarters, Camp Film City. 6 FIGHTING BACK A STRONG BACKUP “COM KFOR’s intent behind the setup of Officers from 9 countries, with team was no exception. Twelve of an alternate JOC (Joint Operations the ranks from 2nd Lieutenant to personnel worked, lived, ate and Centre) was to ensure a redundant Brigadier General. When asked celebrated together for one C2 capability for KFOR and therefore what the greatest challenge was, month. Major Nils Wiesner (SWE- to ensure the fulfillment of the LTC Berardi, the Alternate JOC AF), one of the Alternate JOC mission. On short notice, the alternate Director, stated, “Achieving perfect Shift directors shared, “My Birthday JOC was built up and ready to take synchronization was the biggest was the most memorable event of over. This was only possible because of challenge.