November 2011-January 2012 - Wisconsin National Guard ...

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — A WisconsinArmy National Guard brigade assumed responsibilityof Multinational Battle Group East (MNBG E) during aDec. 10 formal ceremony at Camp Bondsteel.The 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB),based out of Milwaukee, joined 12 other National Guardunits and one Army Reserve unit from throughout theU.S. and Puerto Rico as part of Kosovo Forces 15. Theyassumed responsibility from the New Mexico ArmyNational Guard’s 111th MEB, based out of Rio Rancho,N.M., which arrived in April.The Kosovo Force commander, Maj. Gen. ErhardDrews, transferred responsibility of MNBG E from Col.Michael D. Schwartz, commander of the 111th MEB, toCol. Jeffrey J. Liethen, 157th MEB commander.“As you know, we are one of many U.S. KFORrotations,” Liethen said at the ceremony. “Through theyears, KFOR rotations have changed, just as Kosovohas changed, but one thing remains the same — ourcollective commitment to maintain a safe and secureenvironment and freedom of movement throughoutKosovo.“I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that ascommander, my objective is to continue to build uponthe work done by the Soldiers of KFOR 14 and theirpredecessors,” he added. “We look forward to workingwith our multinational partners and continuing tomaintain a safe and secure environment for the people ofKosovo.”Schwartz spoke of the outstanding relationship forgedbetween the many nations in the battle group.“As I have said many times before to our Soldiers,our multinational partners are not part of the battlegroup — they are the battle group,” he said. “Withoutany one member, our mission would have been muchmore difficult. Together, as a single organization, weaccomplished many remarkable feats. We are truly amore mobile, capable force than ever before.”Drews said he was confident that the future ofMultinational Battle Group East would be in capablehands.“I am more than convinced that you will leadMultinational Battle Group East in the same outstandingmanner as did Col. Schwartz,” he said to Liethen.The U.S. contingent of MNBG E is comprised ofapproximately 700 troops from 10 states and one U.S.territory. Multinational partners in MNBG E includeFrance, Germany, Hellas (Greece), Morocco, Poland,Turkey, Armenia and Ukraine.@easeExpressLeft, Col. Jeffrey J. Liethen, left,and Command Sgt. Maj. BradShields unfurl the WisconsinArmy National Guard’s 157thManeuver EnhancementBrigade’s colors.Below, Col. Michael Schwartz,left, of the New Mexico ArmyNational Guard, Lt. Col. KerryMorgan and Col. JeffreyLiethen of the Wisconsin ArmyNational Guard, and Maj. Gen.Erhard Drews, Kosovo Forcecommander, share a momentprior to a transfer of authorityceremony Dec. 10 at CampBondsteel, Kosovo. WisconsinArmy National Guard photos bySgt. 1st Class Jim Wagner24 November 2011-January 2012