www.nato.int/kfor The KFOR magazine for KFOR soldiers January 2012 KFOR CHRONICLE SHOW ME EVERYTHING SUPPORTING THE TROOPS THE HILLS HAVE EYES - KFOR CHRONICLE - - KOSOVO - - NICE TO KNOW - BATTLE OF PICTURES THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE UNDERGROUND HANGAR CONTENT PICTURE: J. BŰNGER BATTLE OF PICTURES12 - WINNERS 3CHIEF MCAD 4TOGETHER AS ONE TEN YEARS AGO PICTURE: H. PREU 8 TROOP VISIT ANGELA10 MERKEL PHOTOCONTEST 16BATTLE OF PICTURES GENDER ADVISOR PICTURE: F. REICHENBACH PICTURE: F. 22 UNDERGROUND18 HANGAR 23PROFILES PICTURE: ARCHIVE KALAJA20 PRIZREN - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO MCAD 012 will be an important year cycles, FOC criteria were 2for developments in Kosovo developed, rearranged and and a most important one for the updated, and the performance Kosovo Security Force (KSF). evaluated, to ensure progress PICTURE: ARCHIVE The KSF is currently advised and had been made. COMKFOR mentored by KFOR’s Military Major General Erhard Drews Civil Advisory Division (MCAD) in November 2011 reported on which has already trained KSF the significant progress of KSF members from 2008 to 2010. and recommended to North Accordingly MCAD will conse- Atlantic Treaty Organisation quentially continue to transform, (NATO) Joint Force Com- adapting its structures in conjunc- mand (JFC) Naples that FOC tion with the evolution of KFOR be declared in respect of the tasks in line with guiding the KSF. The formal approval for progress of the KSF. The Military this recommendation by NATO Civil Advisory Division created in could be expected in the com- 2008, in order to undertake KFOR ing months. tasks regarding Security Sec- tor Reform in Kosovo, mentors, The KSF is not an army, advises and trains the trainers of although lightly armed, it the newly established Kosovo has no heavy weapons, tanks Security Force (KSF). The KSF or artillery and no offensive air into several branches: Force Ad- is a crisis response organization capability. Its budget is less than visory Office; Force Vetting Unit; whose core capabilities are fire- one per cent of GDP (0.9%) and so Land Force Command Mentoring fighting; search and rescue; deal- does not create an undue burden and Advisory team; Operational ing with hazardous material and on Kosovo’s finances. Officially Support Brigade Mentoring and explosive ordnance disposal. It is formed on the 8th August 2008 advisory Team; and Rapid Reaction both professional and multi-ethnic. the KSF was to take over from the Brigade Mentoring and Advisory Recruited from across Kosovar Kosovo Protection Corps, (whose Team. COMKFOR’s FOC recom- society, consisting of 2,500 active members were placed in an UNDP- mendation does not represent the members (men and women) and led resettlement program) as a end of the development of KSF. 800 reserves, who benefit from new formal civil protection ser- Indeed more effort is required, fair and transparent selection and vice without any residual connec- it is a long way yet towards self promotion procedures. tion to the past. To-day the KSF’s sustainable forces according to basic structure has as its Supreme NATO standards, and PfP readiness After reaching their Initial Opera- Commander, the President Atifete requires further improvements. tional Capability in mid-September Jahjaga, while the Prime Minister Cooperation post FOC is likely 2009, all KSF efforts converged Hashim Thaci is responsible for to see high-level KFOR liaison . towards reaching Full Operational oversight and control. There exists 2012 is significant as it will see one Capability (FOC). In February a Ministry of KSF whose Minister of KFOR’s line of operations, that 2010 the MCAD was restructured is Agim Ceku and the KSF Com- “ to strengthen Kosovo Security internally reflecting its transforma- mander is Lieutenant General Force capabilities” substantially tion to a mentoring and advising Kardi Kastrati. Since September satisfactorily completed. role intended to guide the Kosovo 2011 I have been fortunate to have Security Force (KSF) to Full Oper- led the MCAD effort to Stand Up ational Capability (FOC). Through the KSF to FOC. To achieve this four joint KFOR/KSF assessment the MCAD is currently organized Chief MCAD Brigadier General Francesco Diella - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 2 3 THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE PICTURES: H. GRIMONPREZ, D. JACKSON AND J. BŰNGER - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - TOGETHER AS ONE - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 4 5 - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - he dust has turned to mud. happen, KFOR soldiers welfare are TThe clear skies are gone dependent on it. This responsibil- replaced now by mists and freez- ity is met by a combination of ing fog. The last rays of wintery highly competent, comprehensive sun have given over to sheets and committed KFOR teamwork. of falling rain, sleet and snow. Sustainment is achieved by the Winter is upon us. Resupply has relentless persistence and continu- become more challenging because ous efforts involving the foresight of the adverse effects of the bad of the planners; the organization of weather on KFOR transporta- the logisticians; the involvement of tion along the air and road supply the JLSG; the skill of the helicopter corridors. Already made difficult pilots; the stamina of the transport by man-made barriers in north- drivers; and finally the forbearance ern Kosovo, the sustainability and patience of the soldiers them- issue has become more complex, selves. interfered with now by nature. Like many things in life how- ever and especially in the mili- tary, matters have to be made STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: J. WAGNER - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 6 7 FINNISH WINTER SPECIALISTS kiing patrols have been moving Surprisingly, manouver- Sin AOR of Finnish Battalion. ing for light infantry is Who are these men? Some kind of actually faster in snow Special Forces perhaps? No, they than in summer condi- are regular Finnish soldiers. In the tions. A troop of skiing Finnish army everybody is trained soldiers can transport all to ski and act in harsh winter con- their personal material, ditions. accommodation equip- And everybody really means ment and even heavy everybody. Not only infantry, weapons, such as light but also supporting elements and mortars or heavy Anti even the Navy and Air Force are Tank Grenade Launchers. trained to ski. For the most that Each skier has their per- is quite easy, because skiing is sonal package, and heavier usually learned already as a child. equipment is pulled in a In Finland there is snow even in sledge. Regular infantry the southern part at least three can proceed by skiing ca months in a year, so it is vital that 35 km in a day with all troops are able to manoeuvre and their equipment. fight effectively. Finnish ski patrol caused a Finnish troops with skis have little confusion at the gate legendary history. For centuries of Camp Bondsteel. They there are many examples in mili- had spontaneously de- tary history when they are caused cided to ski from Lipljan devastating losses to the invading to Bondsteel on Christmas enemy. In 12th of March 1555 Day. The trip was approx. about hundred strong Finnish 25 km and it took about troops encircled and destroyed six hours to proceed. almost three thousand strong Our snow dresses were enemy column. Battle happened wondered among the lo- place called Joutselkä in Karelian cal people, tells Lt Ville isthmus and is first battle men- Estlander the leader of patrol. tioned in written documents about Some were almost shocked, when using skis in battle. we just appeared behind them. Skiing skills are in modern times Skiing does not cause any noise. not just a speciality but still ex- Local inhabitants look with aston- tremely useful in warfare. When a ishment when ski patrols emerge mechanized army is in wintertime from the hills and then disappear completely dependent on roads, an silently to valley. The patrol con- army with skiing skills is able to tinues its mission through terrain control the terrain outside the roads where is impossible to walk or and manoeuvre there. Armoured drive car. They can cover quite columns are encircled cut in pieces large area which is otherwise dif- and then destroyed separately. ficult to do. The track which patrols The depressed and scattered makes is the only sign of their infantry are chased through presence in the area. wooden area. - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 10 YEARS AGO STORY: M. VIRTA PICTURES: A. TANHUANP - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 8 9 TROOP VISIT GERMAN CHANCELOR - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - HQ KFOR he German Chancellor Angela TMerkel paid a special visit to Film City in December. After meeting COMKFOR Major General Erhard Drews in HQ KFOR she called to see German troops assembled at KFOR MAIN and thanked them emphasizing their important role in maintaining the peace and stability in Kosovo. While media were present at the event’s beginning only, this unique opportunity was all about her personally meeting and greeting the individual German soldiers, many of whom were members of the ORF battalion involved in violent clashes at the barricades in Jagnjenica in northern Kosovo in late November. A very warm occasion her genuine interest and friendly manner were hugely appreciated by those present and will be long remembered by all in attendance. STORY: D. HARVEY PICTURES: H. PREU - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 10 11 BATTLE OF PICTURES - WINNERS 2 ND JARMO SINKKONEN 3 RD SEBASTIAN KLEIN - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - KFOR 1 ST JOHN BŰNGER PICTURE: F. REICHENBACH PICTURE: F. - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 12 13 BATTLE OF PICTURES PICTURE: J. BŰNGER PICTURE: B. GŐTTLICHER - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - KFOR PICTURE: M. DORNIK - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 14 15 PICTURE: H. PREU PICTURE: J. SINKKONEN - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - PICTURE: K. ASAD PICTURE: D. JACKSON - KFOR Chronicle 01/2012 - 16 17 UNDERGROUND HANGAR hen driving to Pristina doors protecting the 431metre speculation.