5 Sept. 2002

Hand-over of base is testimony to progress achieved in Bosnia and Herzegovina In early September, command of Camp Comanche, a former air force base that for seven years was home to NATO-led peacekeepers, was handed over to the military authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The transfer of the base, located in the northern part of the country, is symbolic of the improving security situation in the country. The base, previously the home of United States air, logistics and infantry units, was officially handed over to the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina during a ceremony on 5 September 2002. A sign of progress “This transfer of Camp Comanche to the Federation Ministry of Defence is a reflection of the success of our mission, and of the progress of this nation toward a peaceful, prosperous future,” said Major General Charles Swannack, Jr., the commander of the peacekeepers stationed at the base. Before the war in Bosnia, the base belonged to the Yugoslav Air Force. In 1995 it was taken over by the NATO-led peacekeeping forces sent to Bosnia to end the fighting. In order to meet the operational requirements of the mission, the base was refurbished and re-equipped and now represents an important asset for the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rationalising NATO’s operations In May 2002, NATO began rationalising its presence in the Balkans in light of the improvement in the security situation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the peacekeeping force will be reduced from 19,000 troops to approximately 12,000 by the end of 2002. In Kosovo, the number of troops will be reduced by 4,800 from a current level of 38,000 to 33,200. Additional information: NATO Stabilisation Force online Task Force Eagle hands over key to Camp Comanche