Cron April 2011_Layout 1 - ACO - NATO

Story by Staff Sergeant Anna Doo, 200th PADPhotos by Captain Giovanni Pacitto, Italian ArmyHundreds of service members, representing tencountries, participated in the official Transfer ofAuthority ceremony of Multinational Battle GroupEast (MNBG E) from Colonel Francisco J. Neuman toColonel Michael D. Schwartz at Camp Bondsteel onSaturday 02 April 2011.The Transfer of Authority is rich in history and ritual,dating back to the eighteenth century during the reignof Frederick the Great of Prussia. During that time,flags were created with symbols and colors unique toeach Unit. Soldiers would dedicate their loyalty andtrust to the flag as a representation of the Unit, and tothe Unit Commander. During a Transfer of Authorityceremony, the flag would be passed to the individualtaking command showing a shift of authority. Thisaction was performed with the Unit present so allcould see who was assuming responsibility of thegroup. The allegiance of the troops belonged to theflag and the leader who held it. This tradition is still inpractice today.As part of the Transfer of Authority ceremony, thecommander performs a review of the troops’ conditionand state of readiness prior to battle. During the 02April ceremony, Kosovo Force Commander (COMKFOR), Major General Erhard Bühler, was given theopportunity to review the incoming MNBG E KFORXIV soldiers. Standing in front of him were soldiersfrom France, Germany, Greece (Hellas), Morocco,Poland, Turkey, United States of America and Ukraine.Colonel Schwartz, of Clovis, New Mexico,Commander of 111th Maneuver Enhancement8 KFOR Chronicle, April 2011