March - ACO - Nato

[Commentary]Award ceremony in BatcaveMr. Ioannis Anthiropoulos was decorated with the highest NATO Medal - the MeritoriousService Medal - for exceptional service to NATO, by COMKFOR Lieutenant GeneralRoland Kather, during the eveningstaff update meeting at HQ KFOR onMarch 5.He distinguished himself by exceptionalmeritorious service as the KFOR J8 ChiefFiscal Officer from August 1, 2004, through September 8, 2006. Hisexpertise and dedication ensured that KFOR demonstrated excellentstewardship of the resources allocated to it by NATO.This award was commended by Admiral Harry G. Ulrich and signedby NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.KFORCHRONICLECover photo byArmend AqifiContact KFOR Chronicle:Phone Int: +389 2268 2897Kos.: (038) 503 603 2897KPN: 2897, 2402FAX Int: +389 2268 2752E-mail:kforchronicle@hq.kfor.nato.intInternet: www.nato.int/kforCommander KFOR:Lt. Gen. Roland Kather, DE ArmyChief Public Information:Col. Michael Knop, DE ArmyChief Internal Information& Editor in Chief:Maj. Alexander Unterweger,AUT Armyunterwegera@hq.kfor.nato.intJournalist1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk, UKR ArmyPhotographer & LayoutMr. Armend AqifiThe KFOR Chronicle isprinted by KOSOVA SOTTel: 038 548 402Special thanks toOR-6 Christin Michaud, USAFfor her invaluable supportThe KFOR Chronicle isproduced and fully funded by HQKFOR. It is published for KFORforces in the area of responsibility.The contents are not necessarilythe official views of, or endorsedby, the coalition governments’defense departments.Editorial content is edited, preparedand provided by the InternalInformation Section of HQKFOR’s Public Information Office(PIO) in Pristina, Kosovo.PIO HQ KFOR reserves the rightto edit content to conform to styleand space requirements. Articlesrun on a space-available basis.Nations within KFOR:HQ KFORCanadaEstoniaHungaryNetherlandsNorwayPortugalUnited KingdomMNTF (C)Czech RepublicFinlandIrelandLatviaSlovakiaSwedenMNTF (E)United Statesof AmericaArmeniaGreeceLithuaniaPolandRomaniaUkraineMNTF (S)GermanyAustriaAzerbaijanBulgariaGeorgiaSwitzerlandTurkeyMNTF (W)ItalyArgentinaHungaryRomaniaSloveniaSpainMNTF (N)FranceBelgiumDenmarkGreeceLuxembourgMoroccoEstonia2 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Visit by Inspector ofthe French ArmyMAR 1General Thierry deBouteiller, the Inspector ofthe French Army visitedHQ KFOR and met withCOMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Roland Kather.MAR 213th Mechanized Infantry Divisioncommander’s visitMajor General ReinhartKammerer, the 13thMechanized InfantryDivision commandermet with COMKFORat Film City.UNMIK Policecommissioner’s visitMAR 6COMKFOR General Kathermet with UNMIK Policecommissioner Mr. RichardMonk during his first visit toKFOR HQ.Visit by the Head of the Austrian OfficeMAR 6KTM medal paradeDuring the medal parade at CampSlim Lines, COMKFOR awardedthe NATO Non-Article 5 medal tothe KTM commander and KTMsoldiers.CSM TOA ceremonyMAR 111COMKFOR Lieutenant General Roland Katherattended the Transfer of Authority ceremony forthe KFOR Command Sergeant Major.MAR 7Mr. Bernd Bayerl,Head of theAustian High-level Office inPristina, seminar visitedCOMKFOR with atKFOR HQ.KPCleaders6KFOR Chronicle, March 2007Photos by Combat Camera Team

[Inside KFOR]SACEUR's visitMAR 12SACEUR General JohnCraddock visited Kosovoand met with Orthodoxauthorities at Decani/Decan monastery.MAR 13Commanders ConferenceThe KFOR Commanders Conference took placeat KTM HQ Camp Slim Lines.Visit by the Austrian AmbassadorAustrian Ambassador to the UN inMAR 22Geneva Mr. Wolfgang Petritschvisited KFOR HQ and met withCOMKFOR.MAR 22KTM TOA ceremonyCOMKFOR General Kather attended the KFORTactical Reserve Maneuver Battalion Transfer ofAuthority ceremony at Camp Slim Lines.Meeting with KPC CoordinatorsMAR 22COMKFOR met with the outgoing andincoming KPC Coordinators during their visit toHQ KFOR.Hellenic National DayMAR 25General Katherattended theHellenic High-levelNational seminar Daycelebration with atGreek CampKPCRigas Fereos.leadersKFOR Chronicle, March 20077

[Inside KFOR]8 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Text by 1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk, Ukrainian ArmyPhotos by Armend AqifiThe Transfer of Authority ceremony between the 1stParatrooper Battalion and the 2nd Mechanized Battalionof KFOR Tactical Reserve Maneuver Battalion (KTM)took place on March 22, in Camp Slim Lines.Outgoing KTM commander Lieutenant Colonel ÁlvaroGuerreiro da Silva, a great person with a big heartpronounced his last words as KTM commander in front ofthe formation and guests: "We can say with pride -mission completed", he said. "It is for me a greatsatisfaction to handover the command of KTM to mycomrade and friend Lieutenant Colonel Paulo MaiaPereira", he continued. "I wish to you and your battaliongood luck, and I'm sure, that you will raise the credit ofthe Portuguese Army".COMKFOR Lieutenant General Roland Kather waspresent during the ceremony. He thanked theoutgoing KTM commander and welcomed theincoming commander: "Lt. Col. da Silva, missioncompleted - job well done! Thank you to Portugal forsending us a new leader".After the raising of the Portuguese flag, which istraditionally brought along with the new battalion, theincoming KTM commander made a speech: "On startingthis mission in Kosovo we feel that we are in the presenceof one more challenge, to which the battalion soldiers willdedicate all their commitment and effort".During the ceremony, I along with all guests realized howhard this ceremony was for the outgoing battalion andespecially the outgoing commander.I was also touched by the ceremony. During the last sixmonths I made some friendships and had a close and goodworking cooperation with them. It was always a pleasurefor me to work with and for my KTM friends in a veryrespectful and highly-professional way.To our friend Jorge Ferreira and other outgoing brothers inarms I wish good luck. You will stay in our hearts.KFOR Chronicle, March 2007 9

[Inside KFOR]Text by Maj. Zsolt Balasz, Hungarian Army and Maj. Gian Piero Demarcus, Italian ArmyMultinational Task Force West medical activities shows that the medical infrastructure ofa territory are usually endangered after a conflict. The sanitary sector of Kosovo isone of the main areas through which we can improve the economic and socialconditions in order to favor the reconstruction of a civil society.The MNTF W CIMIC activities are directed to improve the condition ofliving in this region through intervention aimed especially towardsmedical facilities. There have been several projects performed inorder to facilitate this goal.In immediate humanitarian assistance, MNTF W CIMIC hasprovided first aid, medical examination and laboratorytests for those in need. In 2007 alone, medical assistancewas provided to 68 local people in the medical centreat Camp Villaggio Italia. If the proper capabilitieswere not available here, the patients could be takento hospitals in Italy. The first of these was a boytaken to Rome in March 2001. Since then, 40patients were admitted to Italian hospitalswithout any financial coast to the families ofthe patients.Moreover, the MNTF W CIMIC branchprovides planning and management inmany medical infrastructure projectsproposed by local municipalities andNGOs. There are 15 in the AOR - here aresome examples:- In January the Mental Centre of Pec/Pejëreceived a donation of a 50 kW capacitygenerator. If needed, the electrical supplyis there;- In February a dialysis device wasdelivered to the Dialysis Centre of theRegional Hospital of Djakovica/Gjakovë.It was the result of a request from themunicipality of Djakovica/Gjakovë;- An ambulance equipped with medicaldevices was donated to the firemen ofDecani/Decan in February;- Some dialysis systems will be ready in theRegional Hospital of Pec/Pejë next month;- MNTF W has also built two new operating rooms10KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]in Korenica/Korenicë and in Babaj Boks/BabajBokës.In addition to all of this, the MNTF W CIMICbranch supports the inhabitants of Kosovo intheir everyday problems. In December 2006Lieutenant Colonel Giuseppe Pertosa receiveda request from the Liaison and MonitoringTeam concerning a need for gasoline for theambulances of the Dialysis Centre ofPec/Pejë. Due to its financial difficulties,4,000 litres of gasoline were provided tothis centre, enough for operating theireight ambulances for another threemonths.The commander of MNTF W, BrigadierGeneral Attilio Claudio Borreca, hasalways been present at these events inorder to emphasize the will of KFOR notonly to assure a safe and secureenvironment to the people of Kosovo, butalso to improve the economic and socialconditions essential to reconstructing anatmosphere of mutual tolerance anddemocratic cohabitation among the variousethnicities.KFOR Chronicle, March 200711

[Inside KFOR]12Text by 1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk,Ukrainian ArmyPhotos by Mr. Armend AqifiMarch 15, 2007. Novo Selo/Maxhunajregion - road to Mitrovica. A FrenchArmy truck loaded with two heavycontainers slides on the road, thecontainer in tow slide sideways,blocking a vehicle with two civilianpassengers inside and hitting itsescorting car in front.During the accident the truck driver’sassistant received an open wound withheavy bleeding. One of the passengersof the escorting car was ejected from thecar as a result of the impact; another hadan open wound to his leg with heavybleeding and the driver sustainedwounds in his throat. The passengers ofthe civilian car appeared seriouslyinjured and the doors of the car werejammed shut. Witnesses on the sceneKFOR Chronicle, March 2007were shocked at the sight of theaccident.One of them immediately called theMultinational Task Force NorthHeadquarters. In nine minutes medicaland military police teams from Camp deLattre de Tassigny were on the scene ofthe accident. After a couple of secondsthe perimeter of the car accident wassurrounded and secured by MPs and themedical team provided first aid to thevictims.MNTF N Fire Brigade came on the siteto prevent the explosion of vehicles andto extract the passengers from thecivilian vehicle. Soon after the rest ofthe MNTF N Combat Support andSupply Battalion (CSSBat) arrived.Firefighters helped the medical teamwith all their assets to organize andprovide first aid to the victims. Theydecided to cut the roof of the civiliancar, as the victims were inside and the

[Inside KFOR]doors were jammed, and medics didn't have a chanceto help them. After minutes of hard, but careful andvery professional work, firefighters gave the greenlight to medics. The medical team and firefighterscarefully extracted the wounded from the car andquickly provided first aid to them.At the same time, the remaining medics provided helpto the injured passenger in the escorting car. As it wasimpossible to evacuate him from the car they put adropper for the accident victim directly in the caruntil firefighters were able to extract him from thedamaged vehicle.Also a MEDEVAC helicopter was called to the scenebecause two victims were seriously injured andneeded to be immediately transported to the closesthospital. After two minutes the helicopter took offwith the seriously injured people. The other victimswere transported to the hospitals by ambulance.Finally, the recovery team cleaned the road.I was standing there holding my breath withmy eyes wide open. I started to slowlyrealize what had happened. Then I askedthe commanding officer of CSSBat,Colonel Frederic de Moulins, about theaction of his battalion. He answered:"They showed their professionalabilities to act in a difficultenvironment with excellentcontrol of the situation".Fortunately for all it wasonly an exercise.KFOR Chronicle, March 2007 13

[Inside KFOR]TRY 16s On Tour:TRY 16s On Tour:05, Camp Nothing Nill07, Camp Victoria14, Prizren17, Camp Prizren14KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Text and photos by Capt. Heinz Nitsch, Austrian ArmyThe "German Arc" in Film City is shaking. The last guitar tunes are dyingaway and "We want more" is the chorus of the attendees to be heard overand over again. But unfortunately, time is up and the musicians are packingtheir stuff. Who was performing? The Cranberries, Chuck Berry or the RollingStones? Well, it was their songs, but this time performed by the Camp Band ofField Camp (FC) Prizren known as the "Try16s", a group quite unknown in the bigworld but nevertheless an extraordinary group of artists.It is a long tradition at FC Prizren that every contingent forms a Camp Band toentertain soldiers of MNTF S. At present, the "Try16s" consist of soldiers of three nations,Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and as it is the 16th German contingent, the name waseasily found. But it is not only the name that makes a great band. By accompanying the eightmembers during their rehearsals and preparations, I easily found out that it is hard work to achievethe results that make the audience rock. And most of this work has to be done after duty hours, whichleads to the question: why are people sacrificing their scarce leisure time for this kind of activity? Theanswer by the band was quite unanimous: “It is by the interaction between playing music and giving some nicehours to the audience that motivates them to do this and by not forgetting that music always is a good way forgetting out of the daily routine”.The common goal of playing music not only brought together soldiers of three nations but also of nearly all ranks.They range from Lieutenant Colonel to Sergeant, but this does not mean that there is any kind of hierarchy in theband. From the very beginning all members came to the conclusion that the priority has to be put on music and onplaying together, so I could not even figure out who was the bandleader. Everyone of the crew may give his input inorder to enhance the performance. This principle works very well, as we could all hear in the "German Arc". The moodwas so good that spontaneously two U.S. soldiers from the audience entered the stage and together with the band gavean improvised blues session, adding mouth-organ and percussions.If you want to hear the "Try16s" playing songs ranging from "Knockin'on Heavens Door" to "T.N.T." and from "See you later, Alligator" to"Satisfaction", hurry up, because unfortunately this gorgeous band willbreak apart within the next month and a half due to the end of tour of itsmembers. And don't forget to donate, because the money collected duringthe concerts not only serves to replace guitar strings, broken cables andother equipment needed. It serves also to assist projects for the benefit ofKosovo, like the 300 Euro the band handed over for the "Kosovision"project that ran in March.KFOR Chronicle, March 200715

SaluSsalam AlaycomSay HELLOto MNTF N!KFOR Chronicle, March 2007N! Tere

Rode DarheYa sooHiMoyeneKFOR Chronicle, March 2007© Armend Aqifi, KFOR Chronicle

Text by OR-6 Christin Michaud,U.S. Air ForcePhotos by 1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk,Ukrainian ArmyItalians came to attention in precision asthe battle flag entered on February 25,in a ceremony in which a Slovenianbattalion replaced an Italian one in theMNTF W HQ, Camp Villaggio Italia.About 600 Slovenian soldiers joined theranks of KFOR and the NATO mission.This is the largest Slovenian contingenthere to date and accounts for nearly 11percent of the Slovenian Armed Forces.Lieutenant Colonel Miha SkerbincBarbo is the commander of the newlyassigned battalion and took commandfrom the Italian battalion "Grantieri diSardegna" commanded by LieutenantColonel Attillio Monaco.Lt. Col. Monaco said his time inKosovo was one of the most significantperiods in his life. "I will always takewith me the smiles of the children I metin activities", he said. "I will have thatin my head forever".MNTF WcommanderBrigadier General Attilio Borrecathanked the former North Battalion whoextended their mission one month togive the incoming unit an opportunity toprepare."Welcome aboard", he told Lt. Col.Skerbinc.Kosovo Prime minister, Mr. AgimÇeku, the Slovenian Minister ofDefense, Mr. Karel Erjavec,COMKFOR Lieutenant General RolandKather, and other political and militaryauthorities attended the ceremony."Our battalion Sokol will continue tocarry out the peaceful mission in thispart of Kosovo. In this way we give ourcontributiontoward amore beautiful future for all", said Lt.Col. Skerbinc during the ceremony."Task Force Sokol is ready toaccomplish the mission and fulfill yourorders", he added.The end of the ceremony signified theend of one tour for the Italians and thebeginning for theSlovenians as theyembark on aninstrumental missionhere in Kosovo.18 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Text by 1st Lt. Fayssal Abrouq,Moroccan ArmySince the disengagement of theMoroccan military advanced surgicalhospital, which was based in Mitrovica,the number of personnel of theMoroccan battalion has decreased toone company under the French battalionoperational command, and one generalquarter detachment including thecommand post and anational supportelement. Thecontingent isbased in NovoSelo Camp andunder the command of ColonelMohamed Makboub.Moreover the Moroccan battalion iscontributing to the staff of KFOR withone officer at the Coalition PressInformation Center and at MNTF N HQwith officers and one NCO within G3,G2, G4 and PIO sections. Thecontingent also provides rotationallywith the Danish Army the post of theMNTF N deputy commander.As for the Moroccan company, 1st Coywithin the French Battalion is in chargeof the security of camps in Novo Seloand Plana regions and the control ofMNTF N south AOR, especially of theSerbian enclaves of Grace andPriluzje/Prelluzhe.All Moroccan personnel areprovided by multiple units of the RoyalArmy Forces as the 7th MechanizedBrigade, the 10th Motorized Brigade,the 6th and the 4th Royal ArtilleryRegiment, the 3rd Motorized Regimentand more.Under it's national motto: "God,Homeland, King", the Moroccancontingent, through its contribution inthe peacekeeping mission within theMultinational Task Force North, is fullycommitted to contributing tomaintaining a safe and secureenvironment and freedom of movementKosovo wide.KFOR Chronicle, March 200719

[Cultural Heritage]Text by OR-6 Christin Michaud, U.S. Air ForcePhotos by 1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk, Ukrainian ArmyFor anyone who is Catholic, this sanctuary locatedin Djakovica/Gjakovë isn't an ordinary sanctuary.Having grandparents that were Catholic I wasexcited to see a Catholic church in Kosovo andlearn about it."Sanctuarium divo Thaumaturgo Santonio"was built in 1932 in honor of St. Anthony.Unlike traditional Catholic churches, St.Anthony's is a sanctuary open to andfrequented by people of different faith,including Muslims, Orthodox and otherreligions in the region.From the outside, the traditionalyellow brick doesn't make it seemgrandeur or even catch your eye ifyou drive by. Just a block a wayonlookers notice the new Catholicchurch being built instead. But whathappens inside St. Anthony's is whatmakes it special.The legend of St. Anthony,the name sake of the church,was that he was a Franciscan,priest, preacher, and miracleworker. Nearly everywhereSt. Anthony is asked to intercede with God for thereturn of things lost or stolen.Shortly after his death people began prayingthrough Anthony to find or recover lost and stolenarticles. The anthem of St. Anthony composed byhis contemporary, Julian of Spires, proclaims, "Thesea obeys and fetters break, and lifeless limbs thoudost restore, while treasures lost are found again,when young or old thine aid implore"."The miracles are what attract people from thedifferent cultures here in Kosovo", explained FatherAnton. He told me of one story in which a paralyzed12-year-old girl who came to mass left walking.It touches my heart to see that a nation sometimesdivided can assemble on the grounds of their beliefsor desire for miracles.St. Anthony's will celebrate every Tuesdaybeginning March 20 with a mass in honor of theSaint. It continues for 13 weeks and brings peopletogether from all over to celebrate his name.Mass is held in the evenings and on Sunday. Thesanctuary hosts many weddings in the summer20KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Cultural Heritage]months as well. Inside, churchgoers see the walls lined withStations of the Cross, as theyattend mass and partake in thesacrament.More than 1,300 elementaryschool children attend SundaySchool at St. Anthony's as theyprepare for their firstcommunion.All over the world, not only thosewho travel the seas but also othertravelers and vacationers praythat they may be kept safebecause of Anthony's intercession. Several storiesand legends account for associating the saint withtravelers and sailors. It hits close to home becausewe as soldiers from more than 35 nations travel toKosovo to make a difference in our own way. Ihope St. Anthony watches over us all.As we left, Father Anton gave us a key chain witha likeness of St. Anthony on it. It wasn't until thenthat I remembered once whenI was leaving my grandmother’s house with a longdrive ahead of me that she gave me a St. Anthony'smedallion to travel in safety. My grandmother hassince passed away, but it now hangs in my son'sbedroom.It's amazing that faith can bring people togetherfrom all over the world and touch their lives. St.Anthony's in Djakovica/Gjakovë does just that. Ittruly is a sanctuary of miracles.KFOR Chronicle, March 200721

[Inside KFOR]Text by 1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk, Ukrainian ArmyPhotos by Armend AqifiI want to describe for you a few episodes of theMSUs daily routine. But first here someinteresting information about this unit:The Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) wasfounded in Bosnia in the 1990s and assigned toSFOR. Ever since, they have played an importantrole in supporting peacekeeping operations inAlbania as well as in Iraq and here in Kosovo.The MSU consists of 350 policemen withmilitary status. Most of them are ItalianCarabinieri, but approximately 85 ofthem are French Gendarmerie.This day started as a regular day for the MSUsoldiers. After a short briefing held on the street,teams started their usual foot patrols. Maybe forthem this day seemed like any others - but not for me.I joined the first team led by OR-6 GillesMazaudon, French Gendarmerie. We moved by themain street of Urosevac/Ferizaj. Our first stop wasat the so-named "work market" where I saw severalpeople applying for work. Immediately we weresurrounded by a large number of citizens. One ofthem, Mr. Agim Rexhepi told me: "We are veryhappy to have MSU policemen here. It's good forus and our welfare", he said. "People in uniform22KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

are always welcome here and we consider them as familymembers because they give us a hope on a better future".Our next stop was in front of the public library. I wassurprised because immediately a few people surrounded usto talk or find advice or help in their problems. Wediscussed a lot of things from how to solve problems withcorruption to talks about Ramush Haradinaj'simprisonment. I became curious why these people were soopen with people they didn’t know well. One of theUrosevac/Ferizaj municipality representatives gave me theanswer. "Our people are used to having KFOR soldiers andespecially MSU policemen on the streets. Because of thisthey really feel safer and in some cases trust them more thangovernment representatives".[Inside KFOR]Each place we stopped immediately became like a helpcentre. A lot of people came to talk with us. I realized thatMSU policemen provide especially important work for theKosovars. Thousands of citizens talked with MSUpolicemen and every one of them went away with someadvice or with help. The people of Kosovo thanked themwith their respect, trust and love. I saw it in the eyes of thesepeople.As for them, MSU officers were very glad to help thepeople and always tried to find a solution to their problems.It's wonderful when you see that someone cares.The next day we were present at an examination for acourse organized by the MSU. The MSU was instrumentalin training the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) and givingthem a final exam once they completed the Crowd RiotControl (CRC) course. Presentation of the certificates,after the successful examination, was organized inPristina/Prishtinë central KPS station. The faces of KPSofficers who graduated these courses were happy andtheir eyes shined with hope and confidence for abetter future."This training was something new but veryimportant for us. I'm sure it will help me in myfuture work", said Bekim Haxholli, one of theKPS officers who finished the course.I think that the MSU soldiersshowed the way to build asafe and secure environmentin Kosovo. It made methink: "What can I dofor this countryand people"?KFOR Chronicle, March 200723

[Inside KFOR]Text and photos byCapt. Lars Oscarsson,Swedish ArmyIt's the last Body Pump class;it's Super Friday. The classhas moved from the gym intothe Leijona Arena. It looksmore like a disco than a work outarea before the class begins.Some from the class have been trainingStep Up for several months. Before theBody Pump class begins they put up on adisplay about how Step Up works. It's hightempo, well coordinated movement anddemands both strength and stamina. 1st Lt.Ilona Tribe has taken Step Up since her arrivalin theatre and it's a form of workout thatshe really enjoys. "It's like dancing. Youjust enjoy it", Lt. Tribe said.The music is loud, disco lights shinegreen, yellow and red light on the walls andthere is also a smoke machine that turnsthe Leijona Arena into a veritable night club.Twenty KFOR soldiers and officers have cometo this last Body Pump class. Body Pump is ademanding work out that trains all major musclegroups. The tempo is high and everyone strivesto keep up with the instructor:"Next one - biceps", the instructor shoutsthrough the music! "Seven on each side, girlsfour".The instructor Sgt. Selma Dervovic commands,motivates and encourages."Come on", Selma shouts. "One more! Keep itup - and down"!The class tries to do every move exactly asSelma but it's hard to keep up with her. The setis done and Selma looks over the class."Did you feel that", she asks and smiles?They definitely felt that set. A few grasp forbreath while others use the short break to drinksome water. And they should because Sgt. SelmaDervovic is far from done withthem!24 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Photos by SPC David House, U.S. ArmyFresh off of their Super Bowl win,members of the Indianapolis ColtsCheerleaders Variety ShowTroupe paid a visit to CampBondsteel and entertainedthe troops at a jam- packedPost Theatre March 9. OnMarch 11 they performedin themultifunctional tent inFilm City, HQ KFOR.KFOR Chronicle, March 200725

[KFOR Photo Story]Alpine training post "Citadel" reminds us of our home countriesThe competition race proves that theAll slidesHow to build an improvised rescue slide out of a pair ofskis and some cordsDeputy Commander of KPC Major General RrahmanRama being interviewed for the MNTF S press releaseClose attention during the theory lesson26KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[KFOR Photo Story]Text and photos by Capt. Heinz Nitsch,Austrian Armytrainees did a good work:keep stableThe practical training clearly shows: Everyone is a winner!An improvised rescue slide in action, operated by members of KPC Protection Zone 2KFOR Chronicle, March 2007 27

[Inside KFOR]Text by Vera Gerovacinterpreted by Svetlana PetrovicPhotos by Aleksandar NarandicOn March 10, the ceremony of the schoolplayground's opening was held in theschoolyard of the primary school in thevillage of Suvi Do/Suhodoll nearLipljan/Lipjan. Almost all the residents ofthe village were present at the ceremony,as well as journalists and reporters. Theproject started in December 2006 on aninitiative of the Village Council whichsubmitted a request for the construction ofa playground for football, basketball andvolleyball to the CIMIC office ofMultinational Task Forces Centre. CIMICapproved the project and the constructionwas finished within two weeks.The playground was provided withbaskets, goals, a volleyball net and aprotection fence, at some points fourmeters high. This project cost more than€ 18,000 - donated by the FinnishMinistry of Foreign Affairs.Mr. ivojin Nastic, representative of theVillage Council of Suvi Do/Suhodoll,was very satisfied and pleased with thisproject. He said that no investment hadbeen made in his village since 1999."This playground will be for the use ofall: both the pupils of the primary schooland the residents of the neighboringvillages. Furthermore, there are a lot ofchildren in our village who don't havethe place where they could spend theirfree time doing something useful. We areall very happy and cheerful!" said Mr.Nastic.Captain Juha Saarinen, CIMIC Officerof MNTF Centre was responsible forthis project and also for theorganization of the entire event. Hesaid that he was really happy thateverything went so smoothly,especially the cooperation with therepresentatives of the village and thebuilding construction company. TheFinnish Contingent commander, ColonelArto-Pekka Nurminem, had the honor tocut the ribbon and open the playground.After the playground's opening, afriendly basketball and soccer matchbetween KFOR soldiers and residents ofthe village was held. After the matchesthe players had the chance to recover at amodest cocktail party in the schoolbuilding organized by the VillageCouncil.Reactions of the young people who werepresent were almost all of the sameopinion. Maja Nikolic, a 7th grade pupilof the primary school said: "This isgreat! We are all very happy, especiallyyoung people, and we are thankful toKFOR troops - we won't forget whatthey did for us the rest of our lives!”28 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Inside KFOR]Text by Capt. Borja Garcia-BlancoCastro, Spanish ArmyPhotos by OR-9 José Luis Fajardo,Spanish ArmyIsa Arifaj, a teenager from Rakos/Rakosh,Istok/Istog municipality, suffered from aserious disease. 'Estenosis traqueal' lungdisease causes severe breathing difficulties,and if not treated by an operation the diseasecan cause death. Only treatment in a modernhospital could help Isa. Unfortunately, it's impossible toget the needed surgery here in Kosovo. However, theSpanish Army made a wish come true and Isa wasoperated on in Skopje March 5.Isa's family was not able to pay the expenses of the operation.The necessary amount of more than € 12,000 was provided byTF Tizona - also located in Istok/Istogmunicipality. The Spanish CIMIC teammade great effort to find the money, andthen it was donated to the family tomake the operation possible. After histreatment at the Skopje hospital lastinguntil March 13, he returned to hisfamily. He was welcomed by his familyand friends, who turned his return into areal celebration. According to theSpanish military doctors who visited Isain his home, he is in good condition. Hisfather, Sokol Arifaj, expressed hisdeepest gratitude to KFOR and theSpanish people.This extraordinary act of kidness canmake us as KFOR soldiers feel proud ofour daily work and make us feel morehelpful to the Kosovo society.KFOR Chronicle, March 200729

[Puzzle]Find six differences!Send your solutions to kforchronicle@hq.kfor.nato.intA winner will be chosen at random and featured in the “Peacekeepers’ Profiles”in the next issue of KFOR Chronicle.OriginalModified30 KFOR Chronicle, March 2007

[Peacekeepers’ Profiles]Name: Nele TahonRank: LieutenantNationality: BelgianHome Unit: 2nd / 4th Regiment Lancers (Tank Battalion)Unit in KFOR: 2nd Platoon, 3rd Company (BE), French Battalion, MNTF NorthAbout the mission: This is my second mission in Kosovo. The job now is a bitdifferent than the previous one, because this time I am here as a platooncommander. I have thirty people under my command and we have theopportunity to work in a multinational environment which I enjoy very much. Ihave learned a lot as an officer and as a person the last four months and I hope tobenefit from these experiences in the futureFamily reaction: I am single. I don't really have to worry yet about leavingpeople behind. My parents and friends are already used to the fact that I am notat home much because of my job. Nevertheless they support me a lot in manyways. They are always there for me when I come home.Plans after the mission: After a good holiday I will return to my unit, where Iwill become second in command of the Bravo Squadron. After a period full oftank shooting exercises the preparation for the next foreign mission will start.Hopefully I will be a part of that mission as well, because I really like goingabroad for my work.Name: Christian NollRank: Lieutenant ColonelNationality: AustrianHome Unit: Reservist in the Expert Pool of the Austrian JointArmed Forces CommandUnit in KFOR: Command Group MNTF SAbout the Mission: This is my fourth mission and my secondone with KFOR. Being Legal Adviser (LEGAD) with KFOR isa special challenge as the aspects of my duties include manyfields of law. The tasks as LEGAD for the Commander ofMNTF S start with issues of the international humanitarian lawand spread out to the Rules of Engagement and up to differentelements of the basics of humanitarian law regarding themission. In this field, I closely work together with a GermanLieutenant Colonel who is the Chief LEGAD of MNTF S.Besides that, I also work on issues of national law, like disciplinary proceedings.Family reaction: My wife is very understanding and supports me a lot during my missions, and also in the sight of some ofour private future plans that involve financial investments, thus being one reason for me to go on missions abroad.Plans after the mission: After a break over the summer, I will again go for an international assignment.Name: Hanna SavolainenRank: OR-4Nationality: FinnishHome Unit: Reservist NCO in the Finnish ArmyUnit in KFOR: MNTF C, FinCon NSEAbout the mission: I work as a NCO in the travel office of theFinnish Contingent in Camp Ville. My job is to make all the travelarrangements for the FinCon soldiers; mainly to book and orderour scheduled rotation and weekly leave flights. By civilianoccupation I am a travel guide, so this work is quite familiar tome. I've also traveled all around the world.Family reaction: My parents were a bit astonished when I toldthem last summer that I'm going to spend the next year in Kosovo.We don't have any special military traditions in my family, but Ihad told them many times that this is what I would like to do.Here in Kosovo it's amazing how easily we can keep contact withfriends and relatives back home: we have cell phones, SMS text messages, Messenger, e-mail etc.Plans after the mission: My tour ends in November, and after that I might settle down in Finland for a while. I've still gotan employment in a civilian travel agency. One option is to get to work in Thailand as a guide. So maybe you can some daymeet me on the beaches there!KFOR Chronicle, March 200731

Photo by Capt. Heinz Nitsch, Austrian ArmySharr Mountains