March - ACO - Nato

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