Kosovo: Georgia Guard members, Kosovo soldiers remove northern roadblock

By Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class James Wagner
Vermont National Guard

JARINGE, Kosovo (2/27/12) -- Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East - specifically Georgia National Guard members - and Kosovo forces cleared a roadblock at the most northern official crossing point between Kosovo and Serbia Feb. 17 to Feb.18, near here.

Gate 1 is the official crossing point between the two territories and is manned by customs and border management officials from the European Union Law Enforcement Mission. The roadblock was setup last year by Serbians protesting the Kosovo government, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008.

Since September 2011, people traveling near the border crossing have relied on alternate crossing points between Kosovo and Serbia, which were not safe once weather conditions worsened, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joe Lynch, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard's 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, who led the mission to clear the roadblock.

“Over the past several weeks, the weather conditions have made the bypasses that people of northern Kosovo have been using dangerous,” Lynch said. “KFOR is tasked to ensure freedom of movement for all people within the territory of Kosovo and the debris piles blocking the road were within the boundaries of Kosovo; so removing the debris blocking this roadway is part of our mandate.”

The importance of freedom of movement for all Kosovo residents, one of KFOR's responsibilities under United Nations Resolution 1244, was highlighted by the recent avalanches in southern Kosovo and throughout Europe, which has claimed the lives of many people in the region. Clear roads are an essential part of getting humanitarian and emergency response crews to any location that has seen a record level of snowfall this season.

The mission, directed by German Army Maj. Gen. Erhard Drews, KFOR commander, also sought to re-establish the administrative boundary line at the crossing point between Kosovo and Serbia. Coordinating with the Serbian armed forces, members of MNBG E's Joint Implementation Commission provided documentation showing the roadblock was located on Kosovo territory, not Serbian, and thus was KFOR's responsibility to remove.

The snowfall this winter prompted military planners to expect the roadblock removal mission to last several days. The weather the night before reinforced that perception, with several inches of snow blanketing the northern portion of Kosovo. Despite the newly-dropped snow, MNBG E officials were able to remove the debris and snow within hours when the next day dawned sunny and relatively warm.

Assisting MNBG E in removing the snow were members of KFOR's Swiss and Austrian contingents. Chainsaws and snow plows aided manpower to accomplish the mission.

According to military officials, there are currently 13 roadblocks in northern Kosovo, although only two of them completely block traffic. Most are one-lane checkpoints manned by local Kosovo Serbians to control traffic.

When MNBG E arrived late last year, there were more than 20 roadblocks, but the Gate 1 roadblock is the first the U.S.-led forces have had to physically remove.

“MNBG E has been successfully creating an environment within the north Kosovo region where the roadblocks are not needed,” Lynch said.

“There has been a great deal of dialogue between representatives of MNBG E, Joint Regional Detachment North [JRD N] and KFOR with local leaders, in order to get their cooperation in either removing the roadblocks completely or reducing their size,” he said.

Wisconsin Guard brigade takes command of Kosovo mission

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — A Wisconsin Army National Guard brigade assumed responsibility of Multinational Battle Group East (MNBG E) during a formal ceremony at Camp Bondsteel Dec. 10.

The 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), based out of Milwaukee, joined 12 other National Guard units and one Army Reserve unit from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico as part of Kosovo Forces 15. They assumed responsibility from the New Mexico Army National Guard's 111th MEB, based out of Rio Rancho, N.M., which arrived in April.

The Kosovo Force commander, Maj. Gen. Erhard Drews, transferred responsibility of MNBG E from Col. Michael D. Schwartz, commander of the 111th MEB, to Col. Jeffrey J. Liethen, 157th MEB commander.

"As you know, we are one of many U.S. KFOR rotations," Liethen said at the ceremony. "Through the years, KFOR rotations have changed, just as Kosovo has changed, but one thing remains the same — our collective commitment to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo.

"I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that as commander, my objective is to continue to build upon the work done by the Soldiers of KFOR 14 and their predecessors," he added. "We look forward to working with our multinational partners and continuing to maintain a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo."

Schwartz spoke of the outstanding relationship forged between 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 battle group — they are the battle group," he said. "Without any one member, our mission would have been much more difficult. Together, as a single organization, we accomplished many remarkable feats. We are truly a more mobile, capable force than ever before."

Drews said he was confident that the future of Multinational Battle Group East would be in capable hands.

"I am more than convinced that you will lead Multinational Battle Group East in the same outstanding manner as did Col. Schwartz," he said to Liethen.

The U.S. contingent of MNBG E is comprised of approximately 700 troops from 10 states and one U.S. territory. Multinational partners in MNBG E include France, Germany, Hellas (Greece), Morocco, Poland, Turkey, Armenia and Ukraine.

KFOR 15's yearlong deployment began in September at Camp Atterbury, Ind. and U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels, Germany, where they received training on the tasks they would perform in Kosovo.

MULTINATIONAL BATTLE GROUP EAST U.S. UNITS: Headquarters Company, 157th MEB, Wisconsin (ARNG); 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Georgia (ARNG); 221st Military Intelligence, Georgia (ARNG); 230th Finance Company, Mississippi (ARNG); 3274th U.S. Army Hospital, North Carolina (USAR); 1969th Contingency Contracting Team, Nebraska (ARNG); 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, Vermont (ARNG); 1st Squadron, 112th Aviation Battalion, North Dakota (ARNG); Bravo Company, 1st Squadron, 150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey (ARNG); Det. 3, Bravo Company, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, Wyoming (ARNG); Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin (ARNG); Det. 1, Bravo Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Wisconsin (ARNG); 387th Explosive Ordinance Detachment, Massachusetts (ARNG); Puerto Rico Joint Force Headquarters, Puerto Rico (ARNG); 461st Human Resource Command (Postal), Georgia (ARNG).

Obama Cites Value of U.S.-German Alliance

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2011 – President Barack Obama welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House today, calling Germany one of the United States’ strongest friends in a transatlantic alliance that’s the cornerstone of efforts to promote peace and prosperity around the world.

Speaking on the South Lawn of the White House, Obama said the generations-long U.S. relationship with Germany remains critical today.

“At a time when some have asked whether the rise of new global powers means the decline of others, this visit reaffirms an enduring truth,” he said. “Our alliances with nations like Germany are more important than ever. Indeed, they’re indispensible to global security and prosperity.”

Recognizing NATO, to which both nations belong, as “the most successful alliance in human history,” the president called its commitment to its members’ common defense a pillar of global security. This extends, he said, “from completing our mission in Afghanistan to preventing terrorist attacks to achieving our vision of a world without nuclear weapons.”

Merkel said the two countries’ solid foundation enables them to face current challenges together.

“Germany and the United States are partners, sharing responsibility for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” she said. “We are pulling in the same direction, trying to keep Iran from following its course of developing a nuclear forces capability. In North Africa, we support the struggle for freedom. And in the Middle East, we support efforts to fill the peace process with new life.”

In addition, Merkel said, both countries have confronted the global economic and financial crisis. Obama said their strong economies stand as a testament to what can be achieved when nations invest in their people and foster innovation.

“As people around the world imagine a different future, the story of Germany and our alliance in the 20th century shows what’s possible in the 21st,” Obama said. “Wars can end. Adversaries can become allies. Walls can come down. At long last, nations can be whole and can be free.”

Obama is slated to present Merkel the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a state dinner tonight.

“I see this as a gesture of appreciation for the whole of this united Germany,” she said of the honor. “It is also a testament of the very, very close ties that bind our two countries together.”

Paratroopers Commemorate D-Day Anniversary

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 – About 300 U.S. soldiers, most of them combat veterans themselves, joined their British, French and German counterparts in Normandy, France, to honor the sacrifices of World War II veterans who conducted the D-Day invasion 67 years ago today.

The troops spent the last few days visiting key battle sites during the mission code-named Operation Overlord: the beaches 160,000 troops stormed on June 6, 1944, during the largest amphibious invasion in world history; and St. Mere Eglis, the first French village to be liberated by U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Division soldiers, among them.

Throughout the visit, where they received briefings about the history of the sites and got a firsthand look at the tactical challenges Allied forces faced, the troops participated in D-Day commemorative ceremonies and met veterans of the invasion.

Today, they took part in ceremonies at Ponte du Hoc, the formidable cliff-top perch west of Omaha Beach that U.S. Rangers assaulted; and Utah Beach, the westernmost of the five D-Day landing beaches.

“Getting the chance to be here has been an amazing opportunity,” Army Capt. Ted Jacobs, executive officer for the Army Reserve’s 345th Tactical Psychological Operations Company in Dallas said by phone as he waited for the Utah Beach ceremony to begin. “Seeing what these veterans had to go up against -- the terrain, the weather situation, … the wet, the cold, being in fear of their lives all the time -- it really does help you understand the challenges they had to deal with.”

Jacobs is among about 150 Army Reserve paratroopers with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, with headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C., participating in Operation Airborne Normandy, a mission that is bringing together U.S. and European forces for commemorations and interoperability training.

Other U.S. participants include active-duty soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg; 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team at Vicenza, Italy; 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.; and riggers from the Army Reserve’s 824th, 421st and 861st Quartermaster Companies and U.S. Army Europe’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment.

One planned event, a combined jump involving more than 700 U.S., British, German and French paratroopers, has been canceled twice due to bad weather. Participants are hoping the event may take place tomorrow, conditions permitting, to enable every paratrooper who jumps with another country’s jumpmaster to receive that country’s jump wings.

Meanwhile, the soldiers called the chance to meet with veterans of the D-Day invasion the highlight of the visit.

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to come out here and meet them face to face and shake their hands and say thank you,” said Army Sgt. Nathaniel Bier, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving with the 301st Psychological Operations Company from San Diego. “That is one of the best things I will always remember about this trip.”

With two combat deployments in Afghanistan under his belt, Jacobs said, he gained a new appreciation for the odds the Allied forces -- including his own father -- faced during Operation Overlord.

Then-Sgt. Thomas Jacobs jumped into Normandy during the D-Day invasion, but has spoken little of the experience except to describe it as “godawful” until recent years. “We grew up basically with the understanding that we didn’t ask questions about that,” his son said. “He was one of those veterans who just wanted to forget.”

Bier shares Jacobs’ personal connection to the D-Day visit: his great-grandfather, who died before Bier was born, took part in the invasion. “My father really looked up to him,” Bier said of his great-grandfather. “So he was even more excited to hear that I was coming here than I was.”

Walking the beaches, seeing the formidable terrain and standing the ground his great-grandfather helped to liberate has given Bier a special appreciation of the magnitude of what happened in Normandy. Pausing to reflect on it, he admitted, “I had to stop myself from tearing up, because it’s so powerful just to be here.”

Bier said he’s been particularly struck by the courageous leadership the D-Day noncommissioned officers demonstrated in the face of adversity.

“I don’t know how some of those sergeants kept going, how they kept their people motivated as they were coming off the boats, and how they kept them moving forward,” he said. “My hat is really off to those sergeants.”

Jacobs said he, too, stands in awe of what the D-Day veterans accomplished, and declined to compare it with anything he has experienced in combat.

“I wouldn’t even dare to hold a candle to what those guys did,” he said. “Certainly, what we are doing in Afghanistan is at times very difficult and dangerous. But what these guys went through, there is no comparison. Ours is a counterterrorism fight, so there are brief moments of intensity, but nothing to even come close to the scale of events that happened here.”

Walking the hallowed grounds where many made the ultimate sacrifice “has given me a deeper appreciation for the legacy that has been left to us by the greatest generation by these soldiers who came over here and did what they did,” Jacobs said. “It further solidifies the fact that I do not ever want to betray that kind of legacy, and want to continue to build it and maintain what they have carved out for us.”

A high school math teacher in the Dallas public schools in his civilian life, Jacobs said he intends to share the experiences he’s gained at Normandy, like those from Afghanistan, with his students.

“All these values from the military are just common core good-citizenship skills and behaviors that these children desperately need, particularly those from the inner city,” he said. “So I incorporate everything I can from my experience in the military: what it means to serve instead of always looking out for yourself or putting yourself first, [and] thinking about putting others before yourself and service to the community and country,” he said. “That is just a core theme in my classroom.”

Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, April 21, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

German Army Maj. Gen. Markus Kneip, commander, Regional Command-North and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sean P. Mulholland, RC-North deputy commander, will brief the media live from Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on current operations.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Today in the Department of Defense, Friday, February 18, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen hosts an honor cordon to welcome French Chief of Defense Staff Adm. Edouard Guillard to the Pentagon today at 12:45 p.m. EST.  The cordon will be held on the steps of the Pentagon River Entrance.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the Pentagon River Parking Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort to the cordon.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will attend the 6th Annual Stars and Stripes Military Tribute at the BEYA Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Global Competitiveness Conference at 7 p.m. EST.  BEYA point of contact is Miller Roberts at 410-244-7101 x124.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead delivers remarks at 8:30 p.m. EST at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Stars and Stripes Dinner at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.  Media interested in attending should contact LT. Laura Stegherr at 571-499-3123.

German Army Maj. Gen. Hans Werner Fritz, RC-N Commander will brief the media live from Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, at 10:30 a.m. EST in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on current operations.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

A National Capital Region Flyover of Arlington National Cemetery occurs at 1:05 p.m. EST with two T-6's.

Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

Army Col. Andrew Poppas, commander of Task Force Bastogne and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, will brief the media live from Forward Operating Base Fenty, Nangahar Province, Afghanistan, at 10:30 a.m. EST, in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on current operations in Nuristan, Nangahar and Kunar Provinces, including the Pech Valley.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

The Senate Armed Services Committee considers the nomination of Marine Corps Gen. James Amos for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Commandant of the Marine Corps at 9:30 a.m. EDT in room SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

German Maj. Gen. Hans-Werner Fritz, commanding general for Regional Command North, and his U.S. Army deputy, Col. Sean Mulholland, will brief the media live from Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EDT, in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973), to provide an update on current operations.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Press briefing with Geoff Morrell has been canceled for today and will be rescheduled.

Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

The Senate Armed Services Committee considers the nomination of Marine Corps Gen. James Amos for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Commandant of the Marine Corps at 9:30 a.m. EDT in room SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

German Maj. Gen. Hans-Werner Fritz, commanding general for Regional Command North, and his U.S. Army deputy, Col. Sean Mulholland, will brief the media live from Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EDT, in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973), to provide an update on current operations.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell will conduct a press briefing at 2 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973).  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Use Pick a Day to go to a different day. Check Other Events for additional listings, including air shows, band concerts, Congressional hearings, reunions and much more.

Regional Command North Commanding General and Deputy to Brief Live from Afghanistan

German Maj. Gen. Hans-Werner Fritz, commanding general for Regional Command North, and his U.S. Army deputy, Col. Sean Mulholland, will brief the media live from Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EDT, Sept. 21, in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on current operations.

Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.