The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers May 2017 MNBG-W and KTM perform joint exercise http://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor http://www.facebook.com/NATOKFOR/ https://fl ic.kr/ps/39kEDh twitter.com/NATO_KFOR The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers May 2017 PICTURE: PAO MNBG-W PICTURE: PAO Peja, May 11th – KFOR Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W) performed a joint exercise with the KFOR Tactical Manoeuvre Battalion (KTM) in Camp “Villaggio Italia”. e exercise was aimed at testing the interoperability between MNBG-W and KTM and their capability to react on a short notice to a possible threat escalation regarding any sensitive spot under KFOR responsibility. Chronicle Interview: Contingent Profile Hans Jürgen STARK, JFC Naples Portuguese in Kosovo Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader page: 4,5 page: 3 Fire in the Sky HSG Mass Casualty Exercise Keeping KFOR HQ Looking page: 6 its Best page: 7 Danish Contingent Donation A Visual Overview To Special Needs School page: 10, 11 page: 8, 9 Civilian sta at HQ KFOR DEU–AUT–CHE Cooperation Apprection Award Ceremony in Camp Prizren page: 12, 13 page: 14, 15 Camp Pro le Ceremonies Nothing Hill Eleven Years On Polish / Slovenian page: 16, 17 page: 18 KFOR Medical Personnel Support “K4 LIKE” International Health Care Program Photo Competiton page: 19 page : 21 2 KFOR CHRONICLE 05/2017 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers May 2017 Chronicle Interview: Hans Jürgen STARK, JFC Naples Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader Before answering the question I would like to take the chance to say “Thank you” to all the people involved in this visit. All the briefers did an outstanding job ensuring I got a better understanding of what the mission is about. Big thanks of course go to CSM Maurizio SARASINO for organizing this very special program. Prior to arriving in Kosovo, from I have the impression that KFOR has an operational point of view, what helped to turn Kosovo into a safe place. was your perception of the KFOR e presence of NATO and partner mission? countries contributed to stability I’ve been in the position as CSEL of and security and has a key role in JFC Naples for 2 months now and ensuring the maintenance of freedom every week I receive information of movement and the overall security and mission updates about KFOR situation. Although recent political in various brie ngs. Before coming tensions show the need of continuing to Naples, I only had a general the path of dialogue between Serbs perception of the KFOR mission. My and Kosovars is essential. last deployment was in Afghanistan in 2016 and I was never deployed in From your experience as the them is always something special. Kosovo. erefore, I wanted to come Commander’s Senior Enlisted as soon as possible to get a better Leader (CSEL) of JFC Naples how You have now completed your tour situational understanding by putting is the Command Team Concept of the mission area in Kosovo. What boots on the ground. KFOR is the applied at the operational level? feedback will you bring back to JFC longest lasting NATO mission and To fully apply the Command Team Naples? plays a key role in a stable security Concept, mutual trust and respect is e message I bring back to JFC situation for the people of Kosovo. absolutely necessary. As I mentioned Naples – All the Soldiers I saw before, I am in the position as the and have spoken to, gave me the Having visited several KFOR Units, Command Senior Enlisted Leader impression that they are prepared, which aspects of the various roles (CSEL) for about two months. As a well trained, and understand the they perform impressed you? CSEL in a Command Team you must environment they are operating in. I was impressed by all the units I remain highly involved to develop the Everybody was highly motivated visited. Especially the professionalism necessary trust. I try to learn as much and dedicated to the mission. e and motivation of the men and women as possible every day to be e ective Command Team has established a I have had the chance to talk to was in my role as the CSEL. I am working great Command Climate. very impressive. e dedication of the on behalf of the Commander and I Swiss Soldiers at the Field House in need full cooperation and support What one piece of advice would you Mitrovica, or the commitment to the to carry out my mission. Everyone give to any young soldier starting di erent tasks of the involved Nations here at Naples is really supportive o in their career/ rst overseas at the Multinational Battle Group and I receive a lot of support from the mission? West is outstanding. Although being NCOs as well as the O cers. My advice to you young Soldiers is stationed in Naples, I did not know to get quali ed to do as many things a lot about the Carabinieri. While What has been your most as you can, as early as you can. While visiting the Multinational Specialized memorable experience during your you’re young, these things are a lot Unit (MSU), I received a brie ng and time at JFC Naples to date? easier and believe me when I say you had a chance to see what this unit is is very easy to answer. It has been will regret later on if you don’t take is capable of. I was very impressed my recent visit to KFOR. e work at the opportunities when they arise about their skills and capabilities. JFC Naples is very demanding and early in your career. is is true even challenging but a lot of fun as well. if you don’t plan to make the military is was your rst time in Kosovo. I have done quite a bit of travelling your career. Remember, our ranks are What sort of impression has the so far but to see the Soldiers on a full of Senior O cers and NCOs who country le on you? Mission and being able to talk to didn’t plan to stay in. KFOR CHRONICLE 05/2017 3 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers May 2017 CONTINGENT PROFILE PORTUGUESE IN KOSOVO On the 28th of April 2017 at Camp Slimlines the o cial handover ceremony of the KTM Battalion took place between Portuguese and Hungarian personnel which resulted in a reduction in strength of the Portuguese contribution to KFOR. Despite the Portuguese Contingent withdrawal it does not mean that Portugal will cease its contribution to KFOR. Portugal will continue to maintain a contribution at KFOR Headquarters and in the near future intends to send additional personnel in support of KFOR. COM KFOR, Major General Giovanni Fungo presided look at the Portuguese contribution operations, the Portuguese Armed over the Change of Command to date. Portugal is a member of Forces deployed a Battalion of 300 ceremony which was attended United Nations (UN) and founder personnel comprising of Infantry, by Portuguese and Hungarian member of North Atlantic Treaty Special Operations Detachment authority representatives, as well Organization (NATO). Being and a Tactical Air Control Party. as fellow KFOR contributing an active member, Portugal is saw the Portuguese Military nation representatives. During his contributes by providing troops to Forces assigned under an Italian speech COM KFOR stressed the enhance worldwide security e orts Command Brigade and was high level of professionalism and and has been in Kosovo as part of assigned an Area of Responsibility outstanding performance showed NATO peacekeeping e orts. On (AOR) in Klina, western Kosovo. by Portuguese soldiers in the 12 June 1999, a er the adoption of e generic mission was to maintain ful lment of their duties as security United Nations Security Council a permanent presence in the AOR providers in Kosovo and praised Resolution 1244, the rst elements in order to verify and if needed to Portugal for sending their “best of Kosovo Force (KFOR) entered in force upon the ful lment of the youth” to serve in Kosovo. Bearing Kosovo in order to deter and reverse Military-Technical Agreement in mind that Portugal has played a a humanitarian crisis, as well as to between NATO and the Republic signi cant role within the mission establish a secure environment in of Yugoslavia in addition to the here in Kosovo the purpose of this this region. In August 1999, with demilitarization of the Kosovo article is to take a more in-depth intention to contribute to KFOR Liberation Army (KLA). e Special Operations Detachment ful lled surveillance missions in the border limits, whereas the TACP conducted close air support operations. e beginning of 2005 brought with it a new challenge which was embraced by Portuguese Troops. Up until this period Portugal had assumed the responsibility of the KFOR Tactical Reserve Manoeuver PICTURE: KTM (2) 4 KFOR CHRONICLE 05/2017 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers May 2017 Battalion (KTM) comprising of 300 Soldiers based at Camp Slim Lines under operational control to the KFOR Commander. e KTM role was to deploy at short notice as a Tactical Reserve (TACRES) and be prepared to conduct infantry speci c tasks including crowd and riot control throughout Kosovo. is was in order to deter and/ or counter any threat against safe and secure environment (SASE) and freedom of movement (FOM). Furthermore, KTM has to be prepared to deploy to Bosnia- Herzegovina (BiH), as TACRES, with the purpose of supporting EUFOR. is formation organization had remained until March 2011. A er that, a new venture started with a mutual cooperation between Portuguese and Hungarian Military Forces acting as KFOR TACRES, led by Portugal.