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KFOR
Chronicle October 2003
No
9
| Editorial |
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I feel after being in Kosovo for a few weeks introduce
myself to all of you in order to establish an initial
contact within this multinational environment.
It is with enormous pride and pleasure that I've assumed
the deputy command of the Kosovo Force. I am aware that
this commitment will be a huge responsibility which will
demand great obligations.
Although I served alongside the KFOR as Brigade Commander,
from September 1999 to March 2000, I have never served
before in the Headquarter.
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| Task
Force TIZONA Change of Command |
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Colonel Luis Martín Aragones, the new Commander
of the TF Tizona, assumed command on Sep. 14th, during
a ceremony held in Base España for the Transfer
of Authority between the SPGT IX "CORDOBA" from
Córdoba and the SPGT X "EXTREMADURA"
from Badajoz.
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A
gift for schoolchildren |
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General Fabio Mini handed over seven computers to the
economic school in Laplje Selo
More
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| NO
– Lofoten |
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Although many countries have mountains much higher than
those in Norway, not many countries have the same spectacular
view of steep mountainsides rising directly up from the
sea. These views can mostly be seen in Norway’s
many fjords. A fjord is a long narrow arm of the sea going
deep into the terrain, bordered with steep cliffs.
In Lofoten it’s the other way around. Lofoten is
best described as a long narrow arm of mountains, bordered
by the Norwegian Sea.
More
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| Dynamic
Response 2003 |
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Around 6,500 NATO and Partner’s Reserve troops
took part in the Operational Rehearsal “Dynamic
Response 2003”. The rehearsal took place between
26th of August and 24th of September 03. These annual,
and long planned “business as usual” maneuvers
sent a clear message of NATO and the International Community’s
strong resolve and commitment to maintain peace and stability
in the Balkans region.
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| KFOR
engineers change the face of Kosovo |
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To ensure the freedom of movement all over the country
is one of the responsibilities of KFOR Engineers.
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| Soccer
Tournament in HQ KFOR |
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Soccer is still one of the most popular sports in the
world. That's why some soldiers organized in HQ KFOR a
Multinational Soccer Tournament.
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| Working
together for a brighter future |
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A young boy sneaks up on a burning barrel, armed with
only a blanket, by his side Finnish fire fighter, Jari
Vehkala, gives him advice on the best course of action.
Within seconds the boy throws his blanket over the fire
and suffocates it. Vehkala shouts, "That's it, Voila."
With a shining victorious smile the boy returns to his
friends whom together spent a week…
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| In
Memoriam |
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On the 13th of September Swedish Second Lieutenant Martin
Wahlberg was killed in an accident caused by an explosion
at Camp Victoria. This was Martins fourth battalion and
his third as a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(EOD) team.
More |
| An
Agreement For Increased Safety |
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On the 5th September 2003 at Rudare, during
a weekly Joint Implementation Commission meeting, an agreement
that allows KFOR patrols to cross the Administrative Boundary
Line (ABL) in three separate places was signed.
More |
| UK
sailor honoured by Her Majesty the Queen |
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At an Investiture Ceremony held at Buckingham Palace,
London, England on 8 may 2003, Chief Petty Officer Writer
Glenn Gowling was invested as a Member of the British
Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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| Medical
Center HQ KFOR |
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Medical Center is the Support Group medical facility
(level Role 1): it assures the first line medical care
to the personnel of KFOR-HQ, NIC's, NSE's and also supplies
medical care in case of emergency to civil personnel employed
in "Film City."
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| Radio
West |
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Radio West was born in the city of Peja/Pec on 12th August
1999 year. This radio station was broadcasting in all
of Kosovo. The purpose of the station was to inform the
Kosovar people in their own languages (Serbian and Albanian)
about KFOR objectives and activities. Radio West was also
presenting the people, programs and reactions using native
interpreters.
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| A
Romanian Mission Performed In Balkans |
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Romanian Strategic Reserve Force Battalion was represented
in the annual Operational Rehearsal of the Strategic Reserve
Forces (SRF) -Dynamic Response 2003 by a detachment of
155 troops from 2nd Infantry Battalion "CALUGARENI"
located in Bucharest.
More |
| Running
Together |
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KFOR conducted "Running Together" on the 28th
of September with Gen Gay giving opening remarks. It was
a wonderful day for the event and the participation was
high.
More |
| Female
Crew |
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For the first time in the history of the Swedish Battalion
a SISU-ambulance has an all-female crew. Since the end
of August four women from the Rescue platoon are standing
by, prepared to respond with their ambulance-equipped
SISU if needed.
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| Summer
Camp for Disabled Children in Blinaje |
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After many preliminary meetings between KFOR (J9/CIMIC
branch), KPC and the NGO OPFAKKOS a summer camp for the
disabled children in Kosovo was finally implemented in
the KPC compound in Blinaje, a nice scenic and wildlife
area close to Lipjan. With the help of HQ Transcoy, MSU
and most of the MNB's, a total of 466 children and parents
(divided in four groups) were picked up at different locations
throughout Kosovo and brought to the campsite.
More |
| The
Italian Engineering Warming-up For Starting |
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Gjakova, 19th August 03. Earlier this month the famous
Italian 10° Combat Engineer Regiment arrived in Multinational
Brigade South-West.
This Regiment represents one of the most deployed units
in the Italian Army. It has been to many locations around
the world, such as Kosovo and to Afghanistan twice during
2002, where they took command of the Multinational Engineer
Group.
More |
| Task
Force FALCO Change of Command |
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The Colonel Massimo Fogari has left the Falco Task Force
Command to the Colonel Giorgio Romitelli last 10 September
2003 at 18,30 in Gjakova, where the task force Falco is
deployed.
More |
| Head
Soccer Tournament Fosters Inter-ethnic Friendship |
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“If we don’t improve our lives, nobody wins.”-Mejdi
Selhani
“If I had fear in me, I wouldn’t have come.”-Blanko
Mitrivic
More |
| Toy
Guns |
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As soldiers patrol the streets of Kosovo, they will
likely see a very disturbing activity there - children
with toy guns that look like real weapons. Over the past
few weeks, soldiers have reported activities in the field
where children have pointed these weapons at KFOR soldiers.
It is essential that you are aware of these toys and what
they look like. It is also essential that you remain cautious.
However, remaining cautious does not entitle overreaction.
More |
| Transcoy |
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The Trans-Coy is a section belonging to HQ KFOR Support
Group. It is located in Film City.
The unit is unknown to a majority of people in HQ KFOR,
despite its important to the life of the different branches.
More |
| KFOR
Donates Weapons to Museum |
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KFOR handed over 60 different types of deactivated weapons
and ammunition to the Kosovo Museum in Pristina for display
Aug 31.
More |
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