The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers January 2018

PAPA Company Achieves Full Operational Capability

hhttp://jfcnaples.nato.int/kforttp://jfcnaples..int/kfor hhttp://www.facebook.com/NATOKFOR/ttp://www.facebook.com/NATOKFOR/ hhttps://ttps://fl iic.kr/ps/39kEDhc.kr/ps/39kEDh ttwitter.com/NATO_KFORwitter.com/NATO_KFOR TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 PICTURE: Hjarullahu Afrim 23rd January 2018 - KFOR provides bridging assests to the KSF for repair of a military bridge in Mitrovica

KFOR HQ Camp Film City ROLE 2 page: 3, 4, 5 Multinational Battle Group West Manoeuvre Battalion “PAPA” Coy MNBG E page: 6, 7 Conduct Force Protection Drill page: 8, 9 CAMP BONDSTEEL Bird 745 is Alive page: 10, 11 A VISUAL OVERVIEW page: 12, 13 CIV.-MIL COOPERATION firefighters support their Kosovan colleagues 4U MAGAZINE page: 14, 15 15 Years of Existence page: 16,17 KFOR DANISH CONTINGENT DANCON March 37B page: 18, 19 CAMP FILM CITY Almost like home page: 20, 21 Pictures of the Month Be part of it! page: 22 PROFILES Michał Kaniewski Erik Nilsson page: 23

2 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 KFOR EXPLORES NEW FRONTIERS IN OPERATIONAL MEDICAL SUPPORT PICTURE: OR-4 CASTELLANETA Filippo PICTURE: OR-4 CASTELLANETA

On January 16th, one of the fi rst major events of the in their hospital complex, located in Prizren. Th at New Year for KFOR was launching a new hospital facility will be withdrawn from and relocated level Medical Treatment Facility in Camp Film City, to a diff erent theatre in the future to support another Pristina. KFOR Deputy Commander, Brigadier multinational military operation. Th is was the reason Janos Csombok, simultaneously with Her to launch the new, though smaller, hospital level facility Excellency, Charges D’Aff aires of the Grand Duchy of in Pristina. Luxembourg, Madame Anne Dostert and Mr Peter Dohmen, General Manager of the NATO Support and Th e ultimate role of the military medical support is Procurement Agency (NSPA), cut the blue ribbon with enabling the troops to perform their tasks by preserving surgical scissors to complete the opening ceremony of and restoring their health and fi ghting strength. Th e the new Role 2 facility. Until December 31st 2017, for aim of military medical support on operations is to more than a decade, Germany had been providing the support the commander’s intent through timely and Role 2 operational medical support capability to KFOR eff ective health and medical services to the troops to

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 3 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 PICTURE: OR-4 Castellaneta Filippo (3) PICTURE: Filippo OR-4 Castellaneta achieve outcomes of medical care progress in security situation of for KFOR to utilise a new form of equating to best medical practice. Kosovo during the past years has hospital level medical facility in Public expectations of high quality created a favourable background support of KFOR mission objectives medical support continually increase. Medical support to any NATO operation is provided by a variety of response capabilities. Th ese response capabilities encompass all the necessary medical resources and assets to conduct medical treatment, evacuation, re-supply, and other functions essential to the maintenance of the health of the force. Th e structure and type of required deployable Medical Treatment Facilities vary depending on the type of operation, the medical mission and environmental factors. Th e overall

4 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 and KFOR personnel. Th is new contracted Medical Treatment Facility, which is called Role-2 Basic facility in NATO terminology, is the fi rst of its kind in direct support of military operations.

Th e new Role-2 Basic Medical Treatment Facility is the KFOR initial surgery response capability and is characterised by its ability to perform surgical interventions, including damage control surgery and surgical procedures for emergency surgical cases, to deliver life, limb and function saving

medical treatment, in addition to (2) PICTURE: Filippo OR-4 Castellaneta perform reception/triage (sorting) of casualties; resuscitation and and challenge is that this new facility based on the number of personnel treatment of shock to a higher is not a military, but a contracted in theatre. level than KFOR Role-1 Medical one, provided by an international Treatment Facilities (KFOR initial Contractor, within the framework Although the Role-2 Basic facility medical response capabilities). In of a business project launched on is a contracted one, it is an integral order to fulfi l this requirement, the behalf of KFOR Troop Contributing part of the KFOR military medical Role-2 Basic facility has –among Nations by the NATO Support and support system, and as such falls others- an Operations Room, an Procurement Agency. Th e Role 2 under functional control of the Emergency Room, an Intensive Basic Medical Treatment Facility KFOR Joint Medical Branch. Th is new initiative will provide valuable experience for NATO and the nations as well. Th e new Role-2 Basic facility provides safe, secure and high quality medical care to KFOR troops, is an integral part of the KFOR treatment and evacuation continuum, and is available 24/7 for KFOR personnel. Last but not least, since there was a remarkable progress in quality of medical care provided by the Host Nation (Kosovo) health care system, KFOR Troop Contributing Nations have decided to rely on Host Nation capabilities in those areas of medical services that are not represented in the new Role-2 Care Unit and a High Dependency will cost €22 million over fi ve years. Basic facility. Unit and wards with supporting Th e Grand Duchy of Luxembourg elements as well. Th e Role-2 Basic generously donated twelve million facility has 36 staff members, out euro to the project. Th e remaining Major Eric Doggett of which 20 are clinical and 16 are annual balance will be billed to the Comdt Michael Cullen supporting personnel. Th e novelty KFOR troop contributing nations

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 5 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 PAPA COMPANY ACHIEVES FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY

Multinational Battle Group - Th e activity included simulations Special attention was given to mine West (MNBG-W), Manoeuvre of real scenarios by employing clearance and mine awareness in Battalion “PAPA” Coy has Molotov bottles to test readiness order to deal with any possible conducted and completed the and profi ciency in the use threat caused by minefi elds and rigorous and diffi cult training of Tactics, Techniques and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). necessary to achieve Full Procedures (TTPs) and the use of Operational Capability (FOC), Standard Operating Procedures In order to achieve FOC, it was just ten days aft er the Transfer of (SOPs). necessary to conduct air mobility Authority on 14th of December.

Italian Paratroopers, from 185th Airborne Artillery Regiment “Folgore” and a Moldavian platoon, led by the Company Commander, Lieutenant Tommaso Querusti, completed Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) activities, fully equipped with anti-riot kits, including shields and tactical truncheons.

Co-ordinated by the Kosovo Tactical Reserve Battalion (KTRBN) stationed in Novosellë/ Novo Selo, fi re-phobia training

was led by specialised instructors. W (2) MNBG PICTURE: PAO

6 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018

training with helicopters. Th e provision of helicopters was coordinated with MNBG-E US Aviation TF based in Camp Bondsteel. Th is allowed PAPA company to practice Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) personnel transportation. Th is capability guarantees MNBG-W a swift response to unpredicted menaces and unforeseen circumstances thus ensuring a safe and secure environment and the freedom of movement within MNGB-W area.

Th e Multinational Battle Group West, is located in Pec/Pejë, at Camp “Villaggio Italia”, and is constituted by troops from Italian, Austrian, Slovenian and Moldovian Units. In accordance with their motto “Four Nations, One Force”, MNGB-W soldiers constantly train themselves in order to maintain the highest levels of readiness.

Cpt Fabio G. Capriati OF-2 ITA PICTURE: PAO MNBG W (3) MNBG PICTURE: PAO

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 7 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 CAMP BONDSTEEL PERSONNEL CONDUCT FORCE PROTECTION DRILL

Kosovo Force, Multinational Battle Group – East and Camp Bondsteel support elements conducted a force protection validation drill, December 5, 2017 on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo.

Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin | KFOR Multinational Battle Group-East medical Soldiers prepare to lift a casualty onto a hospital bed to receive medical care during a force protection drill at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Dec. 5, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steven M. Colvin)

Th e installation-wide drill included elements and partners, to respond simulated with purple smoke participation from the Military to incidents on Camp Bondsteel grenades and artillery simulation Police, Explosive Ordnance and act accordingly,” said Cpt. Grant rounds, created a scene involving Disposal, Task Force Medical, the Nicely, the MNBG-East Provost eight casualties. MNBG-East Battle Desk, Southern Marshal. Th e notional explosion prompted a Command Post, Torres Advanced Th e drill helped to validate the force large-scale response. Torres put the Enterprise Solutions, Area protection and emergency response gate on lockdown, apprehended a Support Team – Balkans, the CBS plans for Camp Bondsteel, Nicely suspect driving a possible second fi re department and Emergency added. VBIED and removed casualties out Medical Support. Th e scenario involved a notional of the blast site. MPs established a “Th is event is important because it vehicle-borne improvised explosive cordon as the CBS fi re department demonstrates the eff ectiveness by device that detonated while going and EMS arrived. which we can perform as a battle through security at the main gate “I think the eff ort made by Torres group, along with our support of Camp Bondsteel. Th e blast, Advanced Enterprise Solutions was

8 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 particularly impressive,” said 1st Lt. then disrupted the device with an Derek Drouin, the Multinational improvised water bottle charge. Battle Group - East Deputy Provost “Th e precautions that were taken Marshal. “When the simulated are the ones that we would take in bomb went off , their violence of the real world,” assured Byrd. “We action made for quick work of what generally try to do everything the could have been a more deadly safest way possible.” situation.” Simultaneously, TF Med went EOD was called to the scene once into their mass-casualty incident the second vehicle was confi rmed reaction plan at the CBS Troop as an unexploded VBIED. Staff Medical Clinic. Sgt. Gregory Byrd, the senior Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martinovic, team leader for MNBG-East, EOD the MNBG-East, TF Med First responded. Sergeant, had his medical team Byrd said he approached the tending to casualties with blast VBIED manually, which means that injuries including penetrating instead of using the EOD robot, he chest wounds and shrapnel to put on the bomb suit and searched extremities. “I believe our team the unexploded VBIED himself. acted quickly, eff ectively and did as MNBG E (2) PICTURE: PAO He found the notional device they were trained,” said Martinovic. train. During prior, smaller-scale underneath the right rear bumper. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.” MASCAL training exercises, He removed the IED from the Martinovic contributed TF he would strain their system by vehicle, placed it in a safe area and Med’s eff ectiveness to how they removing senior medical providers from the scenario, forcing the junior medics to take the lead. “If a day like this came and we didn’t have everybody here,” said Martinovic, “we would still know how to function and step into each others shoes to be able to still give world class health care.” All participating units performed very well, said Nicely, who pointed out that this drill took place all while MNBG-East maintained their responsibility to the region, as they were also conducting real world missions at the same time. “For an incident like this versus what happens in the real world, there isn’t really that much diff erence,” Byrd explained. “We stay at a state of readiness because we are base defense.”

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Farina OR-9 US-A

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 9 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 BIRD 745 IS ALIVE CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Multinational Battle Group-East aviation crews and support personnel made a journey of over 200 miles from Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, to the Port of Thessaloniki, Greece, Nov. 22-24, 2017, to receive their newest addition of the UH-60 Black Hawk medical fl eet – Bird 745!

Army National Guard Soldiers Consulate General of Th essaloniki. Th e Port of Th essaloniki from Arkansas, Mississippi and “Today was a remarkable example crewmembers worked diligently Oklahoma, currently serving in and a display of how people from with the U.S. aviation crew when Kosovo, spent months planning two Nations, with diff erent cultural the ship “Liberty” came into port. the operation that would eventually backgrounds can come together to Th ey carefully guided the helicopter bring the new UH-60 Black Hawk achieve operational success.” out of the hull of the ship, down the from the United States to Greece. Fong went on to say there is nothing ramp and onto the landing. From It took a lot of detailed paperwork, more fulfi lling and encouraging to there, the aviation maintainers took but with the help of the National see both countries working shoulder over and began to inventory, inspect Guard Bureau, the logistics team to shoulder for one common goal – and assemble the Black Hawk. and the cooperation of the Greek peace and stability in the Balkans. “I’ve been a Black Hawk maintainer government, the package was “Th e strong U.S. – Greece for over a year and have over 200 delivered. relationship and shared maintenance-man hours,” said Pfc. “Th e United States and Greece are commitment to peace and stability Raymond Fuller, a UH-60 Black working together to promote peace, is a great example of how we can Hawk maintainer with 1st Battalion, rule of law, and freedom worldwide,” continue to build an even stronger 185th Aviation Regiment out of said Rebecca Fong, the U.S. Europe,” said Fong. Tupelo, Missippi. “Th is is the fi rst

Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin | U.S. and Greek soldiers pose with the U.S. Consulate General, Rebecca Fong, in front of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that was shipped from the U.S. to the port of Thessaloniki, Greece, Nov. 22, 2017

10 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 time that I’ve had the opportunity the aviators were able to fl y Forces.” to do my job overseas. It’s actually the helicopter to Th essaloniki Th e purpose of this mission was pretty exciting to perform my duty International Airport where it was to replace a UH-60 Black Hawk as an aviation maintainer in Greece.” topped off with fuel before making helicopter that was damaged in a While the mechanics were a 200-mile fl ight to Camp Bondsteel massive wind storm a few months assembling the helicopter, Fong the following day. ago. Th e aviation crew has been introduced herself to them. She took “Flying from Greece and working one Black Hawk shy of being at full the time to meet the U.S. Soldiers, with international fl ight plans strength of three medical equipped shake their hands and thank them was a unique opportunity for us,” helicopters since the storm. for their service. said 1st Lt. Matthew Richardson, “Before we came to Camp Bondsteel “It is a privilege to witness such MNBG-East’s medical air we were told about the wind storm great cooperation eff orts between ambulance company commander that damaged one of our helicopters,” the Greek and U.S. ,” said out of 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation said Richardson. “We managed to Fong. “I want to thank all of you for Regiment, Oklahoma. “Th is was complete a lot of training using an that.” the fi rst time we have done this. It assault Black Hawk along with two Th roughout the rest of the day was diff erent, but it was defi nitely a of our own, but having one more and into the evening hours, the good experience.” medical evacuation helicopter is aviation maintainers continued Richardson said the higher level going to make it a lot better.” assembling the UH-60 Black Hawk of coordination to get the fl ight Richardson went on to say that the before heading to Camp Kodra, in approved to fl y out of Th essaloniki diff erence between a UH-60 Black Th essaloniki, to rest for the night. International Airport, fl y over Hawk assault helicopter and a UH- Camp Kodra is a Kosovo Forces the former Yugoslav Republic of 60 Black Hawk medical evacuation camp that is ran by the Greek Army. Macedonia (FYROM) and then helicopter is the specifi c rescue and Greek Col. Christos Oikonomidis, into Kosovo seemed to be cordial medical equipment on board. Th ere Communication Zone – South once they were able to take care of is a vast diff erence using an assault commander, was very helpful in some minor issues. helicopter during specifi c medical accommodating the Kosovo Forces “It was really nice working with training scenarios when compared Multinational Battle Group – East the Greek government,” said to using a fully-equipped medical U.S. Soldiers during their three-day Richardson. “It was especially nice evacuation helicopter. mission. working with the Greek Army at “With our helicopters, we have “With its constant and reliable Camp Kodra. Th ose guys were external hoist capabilities, which liaison with the Greek authorities, very helpful, not only in providing are used in rescue situations when both civilian and military, CommZ- a place for us to stay and eat, but there isn’t a place for our helicopters South is available to KFOR also making sure that all of our to safely land,” said Richardson. personnel 24 hours a day,” said other needs were met. It was a great “We also have oxygen tanks, blood Oikonomidis. “We are happy to help experience.” pumps, heart monitors, as well KFOR personnel and accommodate Today, U.S. and Greece share as trauma equipment. Basically, them at Camp Kodra.” a strong military-to-military we have the highest level of pre- On the second day, the fl ight crew relationship with a common goal of hospital care that we can get inside completed the daily inspections and supporting and strengthening that the medical evacuation helicopters.” run-up, which includes inspecting relationship through the continuous Th e aviators and aviation very important mechanical parts cooperation of NATO and bi-lateral crewmembers will continue of the aircraft , inside and out, as training/operations. to conduct training exercises well as checking all avionic systems. “Our partnership with Greece has throughout the rest of their Th ey also made sure that all fl ight prepared hundreds of units to deploy deployment in Kosovo. Now that controls are operating correctly for NATO/KFOR peacekeeping “Bird 745” is alive, they plan on to include the main and tail rotor operations,” said Fong. “Th is getting as much air time as possible. systems, key fl ight instruments, as mission, despite its size, serves to well as communications equipment. further enhance the strong-deep Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin Once that was completed, bonds between Hellenic and U.S. OR-9 US-A

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 11 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforoAr KKFOR VISUALFOR SSoldiersoldiers OVERVIEW JJanuaryanuary 20182018

21 DEC 2017 KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci, met the Chief of , Philippe Rebord, at Camp “Film City” NATO KFOR Headquarters.

26 DEC 2017 KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci, received the offi cial visit of the Bardhyl Kollcaku Chief of of the Albanian Armed Forces.

08 JAN 2018 KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci, received the visit of HE Marija Kapitanovic, Ambassador of the Republic of to Kosovo, at KFOR HQ. PICTURE: OR-4 Castellaneta Filippo (3) PICTURE: Filippo OR-4 Castellaneta

12 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine ffor oAr KKFOR FVISUALOR SSoldiersoldiers OVERVIEW JJanuaryanuary 20182018

16 JAN 2018 COS KFOR Brigadier General Lawrence Powell, received the visit of HE Anne Dostert Charge d’Aff aires of Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg in Kosovo, at KFOR HQ.

17 JAN 2018 KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci, received the visit of HE Strand Sjaastad, Norway Ambassador to Kosovo and Albania, at KFOR Headquarters.

18 JAN 2018 KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci, received the visit of HE Gerrie Willems, Head of the Embassy the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo, at KFOR HQ. PICTURE: OR-4 Castellaneta Filippo (3) PICTURE: Filippo OR-4 Castellaneta

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 13 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION: Bundeswehr fi refi ghters support their Kosovan colleagues

The German Bundeswehr fi re brigade and the Kosovan fi re service working at the scene of the accident (Source: Bundeswehr/PAO DEU EinsKtgt KFOR)

Th e Prizren fi re service receives Prizren. Th e exercise was planned and a fl atbed truck for the crash an emergency call at 13:00 hrs. by the offi cer in charge of civil- vehicles, and also the Camp Prizren A witness reports a severe road military cooperation within the fi re brigade. accident on the northern by-pass 48th German KFOR Contingent, In view of the severity of the of the south Kosovan city. Aft er Lieutenant Michael L. Th e offi cer accident, the Prizren fi re service arriving, the fi remen are confronted is responsible for coordinating the soon realised during the exercise with a gruesome situation: two cars contingent’s cooperation with civil that support would be needed, have apparently collided at high society organisations such as the particularly because – as provided speed. One is lying on its side, while municipal fi re department. for in the exercise scenario – part the other is completely overturned. During the exercise, he was of its personnel were already Both vehicles are severely deformed. supported by Lieutenant Svenja engaged in a fi refi ghting operation Th e fi remen can hear an injured E. As the company commander in another part of the city. person desperately crying for help of the headquarters and service As a city with 200,000 inhabitants, inside one of the vehicles. company of the German Prizren has a fully professional fi re Fortunately, this dramatic scene was contingent, Lieutenant Svenja E. service. Th e 26 fi refi ghters wore only a joint exercise carried out by was responsible for the majority their protective uniforms bearing the Prizren fi re service together with of forces and assets involved in the the words “Zjarrfi kësit e Kosovës/ the German Kosovo Force (KFOR) exercise. Headquarters and service Kosovo Fire Service” with visible Contingent that is stationed in company provided a mobile crane pride. Th ey also knew, however,

14 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 that they would be dependent on tasks were then expertly assigned to by German medical soldiers. support in the event of a major fi re individual fi refi ghters. Incidentally, “Th e exercise demonstrated the or disaster. Th is had recently been this was done without any support importance and necessity of civil- the case when a building caught from interpreters. It seemed that military cooperation and also fi re in the immediate vicinity of fi refi ghters understand each other showed how excellent everything the German camp last summer. across the boundaries of language. worked,” said Michael L., who was “In the past years, we never needed With professional calmness and quite pleased when making his working almost in synchronisation, help from other regions in Kosovo assessment. And the chief of the they treated the injured persons and because we could always rely on Prizren fi re service, Adem Krasniqi, prepared them for rescue. the support of our fi refi ghting said he would also be very happy colleagues from the German camp,” Both fi re brigades made use of to continue the good cooperation said Adem Krasniqi, the chief of the heavy equipment during the with the Bundeswehr fi re brigade. Prizren fi re service. exercise, such as hydraulic cutters During a conversation, he proudly Lieutenant Michael L. confi rmed and spreaders. Within minutes, described how the German fi re Mr. Krasniqi’s remarks. Th e the crash victims were freed brigade from Camp Prizren lieutenant is the offi cer responsible and treated by an emergency has taken part in every annual for civil-military cooperation and physician team dispatched by Firefi ghters’ Day held on 26 June in the contact person via whom the the municipality of Prizren. Th e the city of Prizren since 1999. Prizren fi re service can request emergency physician was visibly He continued to say that he had support from the German fi re pleased about the opportunity to one wish for the future concerning brigade at Camp Prizren. exercise: “Everything was well- Prizren’s partnership agreement Th e fi refi ghters from the German prepared and very convincing.” with the German city of Bingen. It camp then also entered the exercise. Th is was also thanks to the two was from here that his fi re service Using two emergency vehicles, they “severely injured persons”, who had had received a fi re engine as a started to support their Kosovan donation, for which the Kosovan colleagues. At the crash scene, the been professionally made up with fake blood and simulated injuries fi refi ghters were very grateful. Beyond material support, he would like to establish a partnership with the local fi re brigade in Bingen. He suggested that the partnership could be set up similarly to the current cooperation with the fi re brigade of the German KFOR Contingent at Camp Prizren.

Commander Peter Comans OF-4 DEU N PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO DEU EinsKtgt KFOR (3) DEU EinsKtgt PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 15 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 4U MAGAZINE – 15 YEARS OF EXISTENCE In January 2018 the KFOR “For You 4U” Magazine celebrated its fi fteenth anniversary. The magazine is pro- duced by the KFOR PSYOPS Support Element which, is comprised of the print, radio and TV sections. The ele- ment is manned with a mix of soldiers and civilian local specialists including journalists, illustrators, editors, producers, TV-cameramen, technicians etc. PICTURE: KFOR PSYOPS PICTURE: KFOR PSYOPS Th e print section runs the 4U Magazine which is cooperation and support with many local and KFOR’s offi cial publication, dedicated to the youth of international institutions and organisations that operate Kosovo, mainly 12-18 years of age. Th e main goal of in Kosovo. Among them are the Kosovo Police, Kosovo this magazine is to promote values such as cooperation, Security Force, OSCE, UNMIK, Municipalities, various multi-ethnicity, interethnic tolerance, human and NGO’s, schools and students. Th e magazine has also children rights, gender equality, etc. During its fi ft een been active in promoting the rich cultural heritage of years of existence the magazine has managed to establish all the communities living in Kosovo. a great image among its readers who more oft en than 4U Magazine is printed in two versions, Albanian/ not are older than its primary target audience. Th e English (25.000 copies) and Serbian/English (10.000 best indicator of this success, is the many letters from copies). It is also the only magazine in Kosovo that is the readers, that the magazine receives every month. printed in the Braille alphabet for blind people. Th is In addition, the magazine is also very well accepted is why, for three years in a row, the magazine has by teachers and parents alike. Th e English language continuously received recognitions from the Blind teachers, in particular, use it additionally as an excellent Association of Kosovo for the contribution to this tool for their English lectures. community. Th is recognition was re-echoed during a Th e magazine has also managed to establish great recent CIMIC donation by MNBG (W) personnel to

16 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 the Blind Association in Istok/Istog. Th e availability of the braille version of the KFOR 4U Magazine for visually impaired people attending the centre received extremely favourable comment. 4U Magazine is distributed free of charge to schools in Kosovo, primarily by the Liaison and Monitoring Teams (LMT’s). Th e magazine can also be found online at www.magazineforyou.com as well as Facebook at Magazine 4U - Magazina For You Shqip and Magazine 4U - Magazin For You Srpski.

Maj. Troels Frederiksen OF-3 Danish Army

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/201801/2018 1717 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 DANCON MARCH 37B

The DANCON march, or the Danish contingent march is a traditional march, which the royal Danish army has hosted on multiple international missions since 1972. It has been hosted in nations such as , Kosovo, and Afghanistan.

Th e purpose of the march is to invite allies of to participate in the march, so the money earned from the sale of entry tickets can be donated to charity. Th e money earned from DANCON march 37B, also known as the Whitewalkers march, was donated to “Th e Ideas Partnership” which is a kindergarten for minorities such as Roma children. We also donated to hospital clowns in Esbjerg, a city in Denmark. We managed to gather €2,700 for “Th e Ideas Partnership” and €670 for the hospital clowns. Th e march was 29.7 Km, where our chief of guard associated with the diff erent squads of the DANCON, managed to scout a route. Th e route was mostly on asphalt due to the season. Th e route contained a lot of up and downhill, but none the less it was still an enjoyable march. Th ere were 2 categories for the participants. You could either walk with 10kg package or 25kg package. Th e march had 405 participants. Th e march started at 09:00 on the 17th December 2017, where all the participants were gathered in camp CMLT. Th e commander of the Danish Contingent gave a speech and signalled the march to start. On the route there were checkpoints with medics, snacks and water. Th e weather wasn’t ideal, but people still managed to keep up the great spirit, associated with the DANCON and marched on. When the participants fi nished the march, the Commander of the Danish Contingent welcomed them

back and presented them with a (2) PICTURE: CON DAN

18 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 diploma and a medal. Th e previous DANCON march took place on the 15th October with 721 participants. Th ey made a donation to Th e SOS Childrens Village charity on the 24th of Oct 17 Th e Danish Contingent is rotating at the end of Janurary and the fi rst Dancon of 2018 is expected to take place in March or April.

Morten Emil Häbel Lauridsen OR-1 Danish Guard PICTURE: DAN CON (4) PICTURE: CON DAN

KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 19 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 ALMOST LIKE HOME With the beginning of December, almost everywhere within KFOR people started with their Christmas decoration – in the diff erent NSEs, the restaurants and maybe even in the personal containers. But at least for the Germans, the Austrians and the Swiss there is one more thing to add in order to achieve a real “pre-Christmas” atmosphere: A Christmas market. And so – like every year – the three nations joined and organised such a market in Film City as well as in the Fieldcamp Prizren.

Th e square in front of the German Ark had quite a diff erent look on the 15th and 16th of December and almost wasn’t to be recognised: A crowd of people sipping cups of a hot beverage and enjoying the fairy lighted scenery. Several small wooden houses, selling typical specialties originating in the three German speaking countries, completed the look that almost resembled a “real” Christmas market. Typical food and drinks Th e running of the stalls itself was supported by volunteers from the three contingents. All of them were selling typical specialties from their countries: So at the Austrian stalls one could get roasted chestnuts and ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ – a dish prepared PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO DEU EinsKtgt KFOR (2) DEU EinsKtgt PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO

20 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018 like scrambled eggs, but with a Christmas season. all these preparations done, in the dough similar to the one crepes are Weeks before end it almost felt like a Christmas made of. Th e Swiss off ered ‘Raclette’ Many weeks before the selected market back home. – a special cheese that is being representatives from the three melted and eaten with potatos and nations started to meet, to create Capt. Tabea Rudin pickeled vegetables. And of course a fl yer and to organise the market. OF-2 Swiss Army also sausages couldn’t be missing; So for example, for the Swiss that they were prepared at the German meant to transport one wooden stall. All that food could be house from Fieldcamp Prizren to accompanied by Glühwein, a sweet CFC – a task that was accomplished drink that no Christmas market by the JLSG Transport Coy using a would be complete without and semi-trailer truck on which the little which is excellent to warm you up a house was placed. Once the house bit. Furthermore, the Swiss off ered was ready, the decoration work punch as well as a typical coff ee, with diff erent chains of light could the so called ‘Kafi Lutz’, perfect get started in order to achieve a for cold days like those during the Christmassy atmosphere. And with

Christmas market in the Fieldcamp Prizren

Also in Prizren the three German speaking nations created a Christmas atmosphere by organizing a Christmas market, which took place in the evenings about three weekends before Christmas. In contrast to the market in CFC, here all the people living in the camp were invited to contribute by baking typical Christmas cookies under the direction of a cook in the Swiss Chalet. Th e diff erent cookies were aft erwards packaged and off ered at the Christmas market, along with other specialties similar to the ones off ered in CFC. PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO DEU EinsKtgt KFOR (2) DEU EinsKtgt PICTURE: Bundeswehr/PAO KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 21 TTheTThehhee KFORKKFORKFFOORR MMagazineMMagazineaaggaazziinnee fforfforoorr KKFORKKFORFFOORR SSoldiersSSoldiersoollddiieerrss JJanuaryanuary 20182018

Commander KFOR XXII PICTURES OF THE MONTH Major General Salvatore Cuoci, January 2018

Chief Public Affairs Office & COMKFOR Spokesperson Col. Vincenzo Grasso, Italian Army

Chief Internal Information & Editor KFOR Chronicle Comdt. Michael Cullen, Irish [email protected]

Design & Photographer: Mr. Afrim Hajrullahu

Cover Photo: Antonio T. Calo’ OR-4 ITA A E-mail and Web [email protected] http://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor

Printed by “Blendi” Tel.: 044 149 115 NATO Nations within KFOR Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. Non-NATO Nations within KFOR Armenia, Austria, Finland, Ireland, -”Frozen north” & ”Orange fi rmamen- Moldova, , Switzerland, Contribute to the tum-Novo Selo” Ukraine. Equipment Used: Nikon D80 KFORChronicle! Photo by: OR-7 SZABADOS, Szilveszter HUN CONT The KFOR Chronicle is produced Just send your photos to: and fully funded by HQ KFOR. It is published for KFOR soldiers in the [email protected] by the 20th area of responsibility. The contents are of the month explaining where you took the not necessarily the official views of, or photo and what equipment you used. We will endorsed by, the coalition governments’ then select one of the submitted images and defence departments. Editorial content publish it in the next edition of the Chronicle. is edited, prepared and provided by the Internal Information Section of HQ KFOR’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) You will be immortalised in the KFOR in Pristina, Kosovo. PAO HQ KFOR Chronicle! reserves the right to edit content to Is that not something to be proud of? conform to style and space requirements. Articles are run on a space-available Sincerely basis. Articles appearing in KFOR The Chronicle Team Chronicle may be duplicated in official NATO publications subject to KFOR PAO authorisation. 22 KFOR CHRONICLE 01/2018 TThehe KFORKFOR MMagazineagazine fforor KKFORFOR SSoldiersoldiers JJanuaryanuary 20182018

Military Education: - I joined the Army in 2006 to complete regular basic military service. My first battalion was the 6th Airborne Battalion of the 6th Airborne Brigade. In 2007, I finished my military School of Land Forces in Zegrze. In the same year I was appointed as commander of the command vehicle in the Air Defence Company. In 2012, I served in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the XI Rotation of the Polish Military Contingent. After completing my studies in 2015, I successfully passed the qualification for an officer‘s school in Wroclaw, which I completed in 2016. Now as the commander of the radio platoon, I continue my service in the structures of the 6th Airborne Brigade. About the Mission: I have been in Kosovo since November 2017 based in Camp Film City, serving as Landdesk Officer at J3 / JOC in shift system. My job is to transfer messages from subordinate cells to senior superiors. JOC is a cell in which I meet many interesting people from all over Europe. Although, it is a different mission compared to ISAF Afghanistan, it is still very satisfying. Family Reaction: I have two brothers, who are also soldiers. The eldest, Zbigniew, a was the chief of parachute service of the Special Forces. He served several times abroad (PKW KOSOVO, IRAK, AFGHANISTAN). My second brother Marcin is a physical education instructor at CIMIC Kielce. He also served in military contingents Name: Michał Kaniewski outside the country (PKW IRAK, AFGHANISTAN - twice, SYRIA, KOSOVO), I think Rank: 2LT (OF1) that our parents are very proud of us. In 2013 they were awarded the Gold Medal for the Merits to National Defence. I would like to thank my wife for the fact that despite the Nationality: Polish constant separation caused by military service, she has great patience and an even bigger heart. Unit: J3 JOC Hobbies: I have several hobbies, sport, reading, mainly history books for example, „Droga Wiodła Ugorem“ by Gen.Bryg. Stanisław Sosabowski. He explains how the 6th Airborne Brigade was created and what it did during the Second World War. As a soldier I am proud that I can serve in the Brigade inscribed in the history of Poland. 6th Airborne Brigade named Gen. Bryg Stanisław Sosabowski „Audaces Fortuna Iuvat“.

Military Education: In 1980 I joined the Air Force youth organisation and in same year Navy youth cadets, both volunteer organisations. Initially, I was wanted to be a submarine officer but I chose the Air Force where I completed training in 1984. I was employed as a cadet in 1985. In the Air Force I have been working with Air Base Defense and Mobile Radar Systems. I have served in many places in Sweden due to Air Force reductions after the . I have been posted in SWE Armed Forces HQ Operations in Stockholm since 2004, and am currently working with Civil-Military Cooperation. About the Mission: This is my 4th mission so far. I was in Afghanistan twice and my last mission was in Kashmir as a Military Observer for the UN. I was deployed to KFOR in July 2017 in J3 CONOPS as a plans officer. In J3 we coordinate KFOR operations and this gives you a good overview of the KFOR mission. The days are pretty busy and I have not been counting my days. This is a five star social mission and the atmosphere is very good. Family reaction: At the moment I’m living on my own in Stockholm. Kosovo is a peaceful mission and I consider changing desk in Sweden for a desk in Kosovo, as moving from one HQ to another. I travel a lot so my friends normally begin a conversation with the question: -“In which part of the world are you now?” My relatives and friends always support me on a mission. It’s important to be open and give your family adequate information about the Name: Erik Nilsson mission. The media picture can sometimes be misleading. Rank: OF-3 Hobbies: I am a “Wanna be Navy Officer” and still a member of the Navy volunteers. I like driving and maintaining motor boats, sailing and navigation, all year round. I like all kinds Nationality: SWE of water sports. I cycle to work, 20 km a day, even in winter time. In Stockholm, bicycle is Unit: KFOR HQ J3 actually the fastest way to travel, saving time, money, the environment and it’s healthy. I have a weakness for classic cars, I have three old Mercedes (“Das Beste oder nichts” The best or nothing) and they need a lot of love.

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