ministry for the kosovo security force newsletter · arhimandrit mihailo tošic arrived in kosovo...

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2014 SEPTEMBER

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE

Dear friends, welcome to the 31st edition of the MKSF’s

newsletter.

In August members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF)

participated in the US European Command’s “Immediate

Response 2014”. This major military exercise was co-hosted

by the Slovenian Armed Forces; this year troops from

eleven countries participated. It was a great opportunity to

test interoperability with our partners in a Foreign Disaster

Response scenario. Exercises like “Immediate Response

2014” prepare our forces to successfully operate in a joint

and multinational environment.

As every year, we again supported the blood donation

campaign which was organized jointly by the Blood

Transfusion Center and the KSF. It is a wonderful feeling to

know that you have helped someone. Actually, every time

you donate, you help save the lives of as many as three

people in need.

Kosovo is on a path to normalisation. In August the KSF

removed the remaining razor wire that once encircled Holy

Archangels Monastery. They will not be needed anymore.

Have a pleasant reading.

Sincerely Yours,

AGIM ÇEKU


In August, 24 members of the KSF deployed to

Slovenia to participate in the Slovenian and U.S. co-

hosted joint and combined command post and tactical

field training exercise “Immediate Response 2014”.

During the last two weeks of August more than 900

participants from the U.S., Slovenia and Croatia

combined with contingents from Albania, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Denmark, Hungary, Kosovo, Republic

of Macedonia, Montenegro and the United Kingdom

were involved in it. “Immediate Response 2014” was

designed to deploy multinational forces in response to

a disaster relief mission. The exercise was part of

U.S. EUCOM’s joint training and exercise program

aimed at enhancing joint and combined

interoperability with allied and partner nations in

order to operate successfully in a joint, multinational,

interagency, and integrated environment. The

primary objective of the “Immediate Response 2014”

was to prepare participating nations for increased

contributions to ongoing and future NATO

operations.

KSF Participates In A Command Post And

Tactical Field Training Exercise “Immediate

Response 2014”


On August 8, a certification ceremony for 37 U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and 72 KSF

members took place at the KSF Training and Doctrine Command. Over three weeks, the U.S. cadets helped KSF members to

improve their English skills and to build rapport as part of the U.S. military’s Cultural Understanding Language Proficiency

(CULP) Program. The U.S. cadets visited cultural sites of Kosovo and other KSF units while performing joint humanitarian aid

projects with the KSF. “During this three-week period, participants of the training had the opportunity to learn about the

traditions and cultures of the other country and exchange experiences,” said KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Kadri

Kastrati. The CULP Program enables KSF members and cadets to improve their level of English language by direct

communication with American cadets; a second benefit is the familiarization with the U.S.’s ROTC training program. This

program for advancing English language was organized the second year in a row.

KSF Members Accomplish English Language Course


KSF Commander Appreciates Contribution Of

NLAT Director

On August 29, KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Kadri Kastrati, took part in the Change of Command Ceremony for the

Director of the NATO Liaison and Advisory Team (NLAT); Brigadier General Peter Braunstein assumed the duties from

Brigadier General Udo Schnittker. In his speech Lt. Gen. K. Kastrati praised Brig. Gen. U. Schnittker’s professionalism,

competence and desire to help and support the KSF. “We are partners, who share common goals and objectives, and we have

worked together to achieve them. You have my nation’s gratitude for the contributions of the NLAT, all its advisors and subject

matter experts that are shaping the development of the KSF,” said Lt. Gen. K. Kastrati. The Commander also stressed KSF’s

constructive cooperation with the NLAT which resulted in the planning and execution of various joint humanitarian projects

serving Kosovo’s citizens.


KSF Engineers Remove Remains Of The Past

“Nobody’s safety is threatened anymore,” said Mihailo Tošic, head of the brotherhood of the monks of Holy Archangels

Monastery while KSF engineers were removing razor wires; the remains of Kosovo’s bitter past. One week in August, a team

of KSF de-miners and engineers worked in the monastery compound making sure that the grounds are clear of unexploded

ordnance and removing the remaining razor wires and gravel barriers. Arhimandrit Mihailo Tošic arrived in Kosovo 25 years

ago and decided to stay here forever. “This is my home and this is the place where I will be buried; my grave is already built

here,” he explains. The Holy Archangels Monastery complex is located about three kilometers southeast of Prizren. The

Monastery was built between 1343 and 1352 as an endowment from Emperor Dusan; the monastery is the culmination of

Serbian sacral architecture. In 1455, after conquering Prizren, the Turks occupied the monastery and created significant

damage. By the late 20th century, the life of the monastery was restored. Unfortunately in 2004 the monastery was burned.

Now the monastery is being rebuilt along with its adjoining buildings which will be used as dormitories and a kitchen for the

needs of pilgrims.


KSF Engineers Construct A Road In Verbovc

Village

In August, KSF engineers widened and laid gravel on a road in Verbovc village, Drenas municipality. Eight members of the KSF

Engineering Battalion took one month to complete the road construction project which was 3 km long and 5 m wide. “People

cried when they saw the KSF arriving to fix the road and there were not enough words to express our gratitude,” said the leader

of Verbovc village. During heavy rain and snow falls the road was not passable and the families were literally cut off. “Now the

quality of their lives would improve significantly,” he said. During the road construction project, village citizens regularly

visited the construction site to talk with the KSF engineers, thank them and offer refreshments.


KSF PULLS OUT A TRACTOR FROM THE MORAVA RIVER

On August 18, a KSF search and rescue unit provided help to Hoyredin Zeqirovcin, a citizen of Doberqan village, whose tractor

slipped into the Morava River after attempting to cross it. The Rapid Reaction Brigade, after receiving information about the

accident, immediately engaged in a rescue operation. The search and rescue unit, comprised of 4 divers and with the assistance

of an excavator, pulled the tractor out of the river in 40 minutes.


In August, the MKSF personnel and the KSF members took part in the voluntary action for blood donation, organized by the

MKSF and the Blood Transfusion Center. Fadil Mahmuti, Manager of the National Blood Transfusion Center said: “The KSF is

providing maximum support for our voluntary blood donation program.” Colonel Ilir Qeriqi, Director for the MKSF’s Security

and Cooperation Department, is a regular blood donor and active supporter of the Blood Transfusion Center’s efforts to help

those who are in need. The blood drive ran from August 4th to the 14th; on the first day, over 40 members of the MKSF

donated blood.

KSF Members Voluntary Donate Blood


Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, advisor to KSF Commander, knew that the KSF had an excellent reputation for playing small

sided indoor football. He proposed the establishment of a KSF football team according to the 11 aside version of the game. LTC

Jones played football and was a qualified coach when he was younger; he used his experiences as a player and coach to bring

those skills to the KSF as the team’s manager. After a thorough selection of players in April the team came together for the first

time. Since then, the KSF team has played five games and “As a team we have not lost yet. We have played against three local

clubs, then the big games against KFOR and the Albanian Armed Forces,” says Coach Jones. He explains that games against the

Montenegro Armed Forces have been already scheduled for September with hopes for additional games with the Republic of

Macedonia and a return game against Albania. “I would love next year for the KSF team to go to the UK and play games against

the British Army teams, but it is all down to money, however you never know,” says Coach Jones.

Lieutenant Colonel Jones: “KSF Football Team

Has Good Foundations”

ministry for the kosovo security force newsletter · arhimandrit mihailo tošic arrived in kosovo...

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