October - ACO - NATO

KFOR CHRONICLE2By MAJ Jo Schöpf, PhD, AUT APhotos by Armend AqifiOn October 5, KFOR Exercise"Balkan Hawk" was conducted atCamp Vrelo.This exercise was to demonstrateKFOR readiness in dealing withpotential conflict in Kosovo and totest the interoperability, sustainabilityand capabilities of its units. One ofthe exercise scenarios was in activelydisplayed the KFOR ability ofcrowd riot control. Impressively astroops to rapidly deploy and settleconflicts in order to maintain a safeand secure environment for Kosovoin accordance with UNSCR 1244.The exercise was in close cooperationbetween Kosovo Police Service(KPS), Multinational Specialized Unit(MSU), UNMIK-Police, KFORTactical Maneuver Battalion (KTM)and the German and ItalianOperational Reserve Force (ORF)Battalion.Approximately 400 peacekeeperstook part in the operation designedto respond to riots or other violencethat threatens to flare up in theprovince, run by the UN and NATOsince Kosovo's 1998-1999 war. Theexercise was in several steps. Thescenario was based on a simulateddemonstration against anInternational organization. TheDanish and American soldiers whowere acting as demonstrators wereinstructed to be violent and that theviolence should escalate more andmore. The demonstrators playedtheir role very convincingly. Soonenough the headquarter was threatened.At this stage support wasrequested. Helicopters transportedreinforcements from the Portuguesearmy as the KPS and KFOR soldiersattempted to keep a riot in check.It is not easy to control actions withdifferent units when a volatile situationexacerbates. During this exerciseKFOR showed its capacity ofcommand, control and interoperabilitywith UNMIK-P and KPS. The operationwas a clear example of NATO'scapacity to rapidly reinforce KFORwith highly competent, mobile, combatforces and effectiveness ofOct. 31, 2005KFOR multinational units."This is a warning for those whooppose to peace and stability inKosovo that NATO is ready, willingand able to fulfill its mandate," saidLTG Giuseppe Valotto, COMKFOR.www.nato.int/kfor