www.nato.int/kfor The KFOR magazine for KFOR soldiers February 2012 KFOR CHRONICLE
THE FIRST TIME EVERYTHING HAS AN END RESIST THE COLDNESS - KFOR - - ADVICE - - KFOR - WORLD SKI COMPETITION GOING HOME SOLDERING IN THE SNOW CONTENT PICTURE: H. GRIMONPREZ
SOLDERING IN THE 4 SNOW 3COM MNBG-E 8TEN YEARS AGO CAMP BONDSTEEL PICTURE: H. PREU 10 KFOR WORLD SKI COMPETITION12 SKI COMPETITION: 15WINNERS ADVICE: GOING HOME PICTURE: H. PREU
22 PUBLIC AFFAIRS16 OFFICE 23PROFILES PICTURE: A.HAJRULLAHU
RELIGIONS 18IN KOSOVO
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - RELATIONSHIP BUILDING MNBG-E
s the Commander of common goals we created a AContingent 15 Multinational unified team. Battle Group – East (MNBG-E)
I have the privilege of leading and Not long into my deployment, PICTURE: ARCHIVE working alongside very talented rumors began circulating individuals while working to help amongst the local populace Kosovo progress into a stable and that the U.S. Government safe place to live. Throughout my planned to close Camp Bond- deployment, I have had to face steel. I knew I had to put an many challenges, including the end to the false rumors, so I challenges that come with provid- invited the media onto Camp ing a safe and secure environment Bondsteel to talk to them and freedom of movement for the directly, answer their ques- people of Kosovo. The important tions and let them tour the lesson I have learned along the camp. I soon found out that it way is that you can overcome was the first time the Serbian challenges by building relation- media had been invited to ships. Camp Bondsteel for such an event. The media gratefully I learned this lesson early in accepted my invitation and my deployment when my Army thanked me for the opportu- National Guard unit, the 157th nity. As a result of the event, Building relationships will result Maneuver Enhancement Brigade I was able to get my message out in the facilitation of greater com- from Wisconsin, joined U.S. Army and begin building relationships munication and an opportunity soldiers from 13 other military with the media and all of Kosovo. for sustainable stability. MNBG-E units to form the U.S. contingent will continue to cooperate closely of MNBG-E. Even though we are That is when I realized that each with our multinational partners to all Americans, we all came from unit, organization and agency safeguard the progress that KFOR different military and civilian in Kosovo is a piece of a puzzle has made during the past 13 years backgrounds which presented a that needs to connect through the and have this grow towards the challenge. However, as we trained patient process of relationship increased capability of a viable and and worked together during our building. Once all the pieces con- vibrant self-governing Kosovo. mobilization we formed a bond that nect, a clear picture will emerge. united us into one cohesive unit. MNBG-E is only one part of I arrived in Kosovo feeling proud KFOR - a peacekeeping force of the unified team I brought with responsible for providing a safe COM MNBG-E Colonel Jeffrey J. Liethen me, but quickly realized I had more environment and freedom of relationship building to do. I now movement for all. KFOR cannot had to incorporate my unit with unilaterally solve all of Kosovo’s our multinational NATO partners. problems. Teamwork, time and I feared our cultural and language perseverance play their part, but differences would make uniting we must trust in the process. difficult, but I soon discovered that Barricades in the north are a we had more things in common political issue and will be solved than I expected. By finding these through political and diplomatic similarities and focusing on our dialogue.
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 2 3 SOLDERING IN THE SNOW
PICTURES: H. GRIMONPREZ, C. TRÄGER AND F. REICHENBACH
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - TOGETHER AS ONE
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 4 5 ight snow, heavy snow, driv- normal life throughout Kosovo. Ling snow, plummeting day and Notwithstanding the extreme night-time temperatures; unspar- adverse weather conditions, ing wind-chill factor; all these the work of KFOR soldiers had harsh freezing conditions meant to continue in order for it not to real winter had arrived in Kosovo. have a negative impact on KFOR With the entire Balkans caught in operations. With Camp Bondsteel the grip of an icy freeze, the severe having record levels of snow- snow and bitter winter cold meant fall, in northern Kosovo the raw it was the worst winter in Kosovo arctic biting cold was not allowed since 1984.While dangerous driv- to hamper those tasks which had to ing conditions were experienced, be performed by KFOR. All over meters high snow drifts blocked Kosovo it was soldiering in the many roads, falling temperatures snow time for KFOR troops and forced schools to close, and some they proved they were equal to the areas even experienced avalanches. challenges presented by the heavy One such, in Restelica proved snow storms and the hard winter deadly, claiming 10 lives. All of weather. this meant much disruption to
STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: H. GRIMONPREZ
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - - KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 6 7 10 YEARS AGO
TASK FORCE VIKING
large military operation of AKFOR soldiers took place in the more remote areas of the Drenica Valley in the last week of January. Over 500 soldiers from four nations took part in a three- day operation, aiming at areas with a low KFOR presence. The force that was deployed is otherwise known as Task Force Viking, and is the COMKFOR’s operational reserve. It has previ- ously been deployed in Mitrovica and several times at the FYROM/ Kosovo-border, the last time being in December last year when it was operational near the Kosovo/Serbia the search of vehicles and houses. Still the main benefactor of the boundary. The Norwegian-led Task However, randomly based searches operation was the local community. Force Viking consists of nearly discovered some forged vehicle A number of smaller projects were all the nations in MNB Centre; registration papers and false license launched, such as information on British, Norwegians, Swedes and plates. There was a large search the Euro currency transition. Also, Finns, and this deployment was conducted in the nearby mines, apart from a few minor mine clear the largest one so far of Task Force where a handgrenade was confis- ing projects, several kilometres of Viking. cated. “We were able to train our road was repaired by the KFOR The aim of the actions in the Lower force to deploy in another area and engineer troops. “Now the roads Drenica valley was mainly a show in co-ordinating the co-operation in should be passable for normal ve- of force, and a show of presence between the different nations,” hicles,” says Sergeant Goeran An- in areas normally not frequently says Operational Officer Major dersen of the Norwegian engineers, patrolled by KFOR soldiers. Rela- Rune Karlsen, “Working in a multi- “People are very satisfied with the tively few confiscations were national environment requires work we do, and it is fulfilling that made, as the main purpose was not training”. people appreciate what we do”.
STORY AND PICTURES: PIO MBNC
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 10 YEARS AGO
DESTROYING WEAPONS
2001. The programme made incinerators the ammunition has been a success, is destroyed completely, and at the with 10,365 weapons same time the metal is used by the entering the pro- contractor in the production of dif- gramme and 8,581 ferent products.” destroyed, so far. KFOR has collected more than With funds in hand, seven million rounds of small donated by the Neat- arms ammunition. Using the new herlands government method the ADP has the capac- (EUR 59.405) KFOR ity of burning more than 75,000 signed a new WDP rounds of ammunition every day. contract with the lo- More than three million rounds cal company Metal have been destroyed in the factory Holding on Feb 6. south of Pristina by Feb 6, and the As a part of the con- six locals working there will be tract, Metal Holding busy burning more ammunition in will build a new fur- the future, using the metal for more nace with the capacity peaceful products. of melting down six tons weapons com- pletely every day, starting late in March 2002. In addition, the Am- munition Destruction Programme (ADP) has been initi- ated. The programme started Jan 14 and will be carried out by ince day one, KFOR has spent the same local com- Sa lot of manpower and recours- pany. KFOR initiated the ADP in es on the collection and destruction order to make the destruction of of weapons and ammunition all ammunition more efficient. “Ear- over Kosovo. Since the number of lier the Brigades tried to destroy items is considerable, several meth- small arms ammunition by using ods of destroying them have been explosives. This was not success- tested. Recently KFOR and a local ful because the ammunition was contractor signed an agreement on spread out over a large area,” says further destruction of ammunition Norwegian Maj. Gabor Koteles, and weapons. KFOR Project Officer in charge of The previous Weapon Destruction the programmes. “The ADP uses Programme (WDP) started in April a different and easier method. By 2000, and lasted until December burning the ammunition in self STORY AND PICTURE: K. ANDERSEN
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 8 9 CAMP BONDSTEEL
t Ferizaj/Urosevac under the electricity, enough for a mid- ASharr mountains in south size city, has an enormous bulk east Kosovo, on a 1,000 acre site fuel farm and operates its own which involved the flattening water and waste water treatment of two hill-tops and in-filling in facilities. There is a well-equipped between, is built the largest US Role Two hospital and a Fire- military base constructed from Station. It currently houses 1,500 scratch since the Vietnam War. personnel in 187 South East Asia It was a Medal of Honour winner, (SEA) huts and its dining facility Staff-Sergeant James has a seating capacity for 800. Bondsteel, who earned his It has Sports fields, an in-door award during an heroic fitness gym, Education Centre, action in the Vietnam conflict Chapel, movie theater, fast-food which has given it it’s name. franchise outlets and a large two- KFOR’s Multinational Battle story PX. 8 transportation and 3 US Group East is led by the US Blackhawks along with 2 Croatian Contingent based at Camp MI 171 helicopters, 2 Swiss Bondsteel. Think big when Camp Puma helicopters and 1 Slovenian Bondsteel is ever mentioned and helicopter operate out of Bondsteel then expand the dimensions of in support of the KFOR mission. that thought, again and again. At its height over 50 helicopters The statistics are staggering were based here with some because Camp Bondsteel is huge, 5,000 troops. Now as then Camp and is a self-sustaining complex Bondsteel remains an impressive and community. It’s perimeter military base, facilitating the fence is 7 miles long and has 15 important work being undertaken Guard Towers. It produces its own by KFOR.
STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: ARCHIVE
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - MNBG-E
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 10 11 KFOR WORLD SKI COMPETITION
irst an absence then an Ski Competition and the KFOR was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Fabundance of driving snow organising team was marshaled Interestingly earlier this month the meant the first ever KFOR by KFOR Headquarters Support EU Office in Kosovo presented its World Ski Competition went Group (HSG) Commander master plan for a new Brezovica from a shuddering stop to an Colonel John Hamill from Ireland. Tourist Resort which will serve as electrifying go. Temperatures COMKFOR Major General a blueprint of a year-round tourist however plummeted to low but Erhard Drews in a municipality development west of the existing the participants did not, anything visit late last year initiated the ski centre where 230 million Euro but in fact and throughout all idea and Trojan work by Colonel will be invested and approximately four categories the more than 90 Hamill’s small administration 3000 people will be employed. participants from 15 contingents team put the necessary pieces eagerly engaged the challenge in place to organize the ski and and the competitiveness was hot. apre-ski activities. In the event, Brezovica Ski Centre in the Strpce/ despite the unfortunate weather Shterpce municipality played host conditions, the competition was a to the inaugural KFOR World highly successful undertaking and
STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: H. PREU
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - KFOR
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 12 13 WINNERS
PICTURES: H. PREU
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - WINNERS
Women Competitors Male over 40 Male 36-45 Male 18-35
1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place
Andreja Oblak, Miro Stular, Drazen Coric, Erich Premm, Slovenia Slovenia Croatia Austria
2nd place 2nd place 2nd place 2nd place
Sonja Bolliger, Johann Seer, Primoz Savinsek, Matthias Wolf, Switzerland Austria Slovenia Switzerland
3rd place 3rd place 3rd place 3rd place
Sara Eklund, Christian Kostel, Christian Stűger, Aljaz Karnicar, Sweden Austria Austria Slovenia
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 14 15 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
“I fear three newspapers more than one hundred thousand bayonets” Napoleon Bonaparte
hile militaries the world function that contributes to mission operational tempo, reacting to Wover may once have echoed success. Military commanders unfolding events, has in turn Napoleon Bonaparte’s reservations at all levels are putting more demanded the need to increase about dealing with the media and more emphasis on the public’s awareness and there is today a realisation communications. understanding of the related that modern conflict is The KFOR Public incidents which occurred. as much about public Affairs Office To successively achieve this opinion as it is about the (PAO) through its effective engagement with the destruction of targets. media operations public via the media KFOR PAO Indeed the very nature and internal relied heavily on mobilizing of conflicts have changed, communications is the structures inherent in its battlefields no longer existing telling and showing the organization and increasing exclusively in isolated arenas, KFOR story. The intensity its own internal battle rhythm. many in the very midst of the and development of KFOR’s The news never sleeps and people. Also changed dramatically operations and associated the PAO is a critical means in is the rapid developments in support effort, especially in contributing towards the shaping communications technology. northern Kosovo has increased of the positive perception There is a strong understanding dramatically in recent months. management of KFOR. now that military public affairs is a This new and significant
STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: T. KORDEL, F. MARTIN, F. REICHENBACH AND ARCHIVE
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - HQ KFOR
or a journalist trying to Serb dominated areas of Northern day and half, provided excellent Fgrasp the complexities and Kosovo. Accompanied by KFOR background material and informal the fluidity of a situation such PAO spokespersons I travelled briefings and updates whenever I as that which currently exists in north to the checkpoint at Zupce requested them. Kosovo, in the space of a short 4, north of Mitrovica, where we visit, the work of the KFOR observed the Austrian and German NATO’s mission in Kosovo Public Affairs Office is of vital contingent of the Operational is sometimes referred to as a assistance. Intending to convey Reserve Force (ORF) in the course ‘forgotten’ mission, which I find to a specific Irish audience the of their duties and while on the strange considering the war’s security and strategic situation in ground, and during the trip, was relatively recent place in the Kosovo, particularly in light of briefed openly on the situation and Balkan’s history of tragic and the long standing Irish Defence the work of KFOR on the ground. bloody conflict. KFOR today Forces commitment to the KFOR We also observed the stopping of a represent security and stability in mission, some weeks prior to my joint KFOR and EULEX convoy, the eyes of the vast majority of planned visit I made initial contact an indication of the then impasse Kosovars and, through the work with KFOR PAO whose personnel which KFOR had to deal with. of offices such as the PAO, KFOR immediately expressed an interest can enable journalists to provide in the project and provided me Stopping later in the city of reports which shine some light with briefing notes and other Mitrovica I was briefed on the on the reality of the situation in information in order to prepare for situation in the city and also given Kosovo and also why, over 12 my visit. an insight into the social and years later, KFOR still represent cultural divides of the country, the backbone of security for the Nothing matches on the ground which made for most interesting Kosovar state. experience of the situation in order background material. En route to provide the most accurate report back to Pristina, we made a stop at Ruairi Kavanagh is an Irish of the situation in Kosovo, so in the battlefield of Gazimestan, site journalist who specialises in addition to arranging relevant of the 1389 battle which holds such security and international affairs. interviews with personnel in a prominent place in Kosovo’s He travelled to Kosovo under KFOR HQ, the PAO also arranged history. The PAO also organised the Irish Aid sponsored ‘Simon a visit north to see an example of access to KFOR HQ and organised Cumbers Media Fund’. the current difficulties in relation the interviews which we requested, to freedom of movement in the and through the course of the next STORY: R. KAVANAGH PICTURE: H. PREU
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 16 17 NICE TO KNOW RELIGIONS IN KOSOVO
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - RELIGIONS IN KOSOVO
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 18 19 here are three main religious Tbeliefs in Kosovo, Islam, Orthodox and Catholic. Islam however is by far the system of faith and worship which predom- inates. Kosovo’s religious affili- ation corresponds roughly with the ethnic make-up of the population, 90% Muslim, 7% Serb Orthodox, 3% Catholic. It is accurate to say the majority Muslim population has a relaxed observance of their religion, not seeking to chose to define their identity through it. There is tolerance too, to-day, towards and between the different faiths, denominations, and religious communities. Muslims mosques, Catholic churches and Serb monas- teries are spread throughout Kosovo, many important ones having Designated Special Status and are much visited.
STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: H. PREU, A. HAJRULLAHU, H. STOCKINGER AND ARCHIVE
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - - KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 20 21 Commander KFOR Major General Erhard Drews, GOING HOME German Army ADVICE Chief Public Affairs Office & KFOR Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Uwe Nowitzki, German Army ords cannot really describe exactly what it feels like to be going Whome. There are a lot of emotions and in very many ways this Chief Internal Information & giddy, dizzy, light-headed anticipation is the perfect feeling, surpassed Editor KFOR Chronicle only by your actual arrival. Hugs, kisses, smiles, tears, all part of the Commandant Dan Harvey, joyful reunion with loved ones and little ones. After months of separa- Irish Defence Forces tion the missing is over, the return real. It is the moment you waited [email protected] for, since the moment you left. As you prepared for your departure so too you can prepare for your Photographer & Design return. Only give to those at home the actual approved definite date Mr. Afrim Hajrullahu of return, there is no room for speculation based on your guess-work Staff Sergeant Florian Reichenbach, or hoped-for date. Allow yourself time to re-establish your relation- German Army ships, remember in your absence your family members have had [email protected] to, and have got used to, their own routine without you being there. Do not rush matters take time to readjust to finding your place within Cover Photo the family. Respect each other’s sacrifices and give credit to one an- H. Preu other, it was hard for you being away but it was also difficult for them without you. Lastly, make a conscious effort to plan your free time at E-mail and Web home to reactivate your friendships, associations and involvements. [email protected] Finally, you may well find you have a new appreciation of what’s www.nato.int/kfor important in life, the time, distance and experiences in the mission area granting you a new perspective to value what perhaps you previously Printed by N.G.P. “A-1” took for granted. One such case in point being, there is a bit more to Tel.: 044111308 going home, than simply going home. NATO Nations within KFOR Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, PICTURE: M. TERCHA Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United States
Non-NATO Nations within KFOR Austria, Finland, Ireland, Marrocco, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
The KFOR Chronicle is produced and fully funded by HQ KFOR. It is published for KFOR soldiers in the area of respon- STORY: J. PFENNIG sibility. The contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the coalition governments’ defence depart- ments. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Internal Information Section of HQ KFOR’s Public Affairs Of- fice (PAO) in Pristina, Kosovo. PAO HQ KFOR reserves the right to edit content to conform to style and space requirements. Articles run on a space-available basis. - KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - GOING HOME PROFILES
MILITARY EDUCATION: I enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in January 2001. I went to Officer Candidate School in 2007 and was commissioned one year later in 2008. This is my second overseas tour of duty, I arrived in-theatre mid- November 2011. I previously served in the International Zone in Iraq from REICHENBACH PICTURES: F. May 2009 to January 2010.
ABOUT THE MISSION: I am the Aide de Camp (ADC) to KFOR Chief of Staff (COS) at KFOR HQ. IN essence I plan, co-ordinate and deconflict the Chief of Staff’s schedule.
FAMILY REACTION: I am the eldest of six girls, and the only in the military. My parents, mother Name: Christine Kramer especially, is naturally concerned for me but is hugely supportive and proud also. Rank: OF-1 HOBBIES: Nationality: American I exercise as a life-style choice regularly, play the occasional game of table soccer, and am studying Business and Project Management. I am currently Unit KFOR: HQ KFOR learning German.
MILITARY EDUCATION: I have 38 years service enlisting in the Infantry in January 1974. I was for 10 years an Infantry Platoon Leader and paratrooper, then a small arms and sniper instructor before becoming a marksmanship expert. This is my 9th overseas tour of duty having served previously in the Balkans and the Middle East, in such places as the Golan Heights, Albania, Bosnia and pre- viously in Kosovo. Throughout my home and overseas service it has been the comradeship of my colleagues, the leadership at all levels, and also the maintenance of a humane perspective that has impressed me most.
ABOUT THE MISSION: I am the Administration Assistant to Deputy Commander KFOR and this appointment makes me responsible for the smooth management of a busy office and for the proper coordination of a full programme of events. Name: Siegfried Pock FAMILY REACTION: Rank: OR-9 I am married since 1979 and we have two children, a boy and a girl, both grown-up. Nationality: Austrian HOBBIES: Unit KFOR: HQ KFOR I maintain an active involvement in Badminton, Cycling and Wind-Surfing.
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 - 22 23 PICTURE: F. REICHENBACH PICTURE: F.
- KFOR Chronicle 02/2012 -