A home away from home

Bugojno - For over ten years now, soldiers serving in peace support operations or multinational exercises here in Bosnia and Herzegovina or elsewhere, can have a quiet coffee in the morning or a beer at night in a place with a touch of home. This is commonly known as the ECHOS phenomenon.

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Informer hits 150th edition

Camp Butmir - They have journeyed by road, rail and sea. They have travelled in almost every make of car, helicopter, armoured personnel carrier, main battle tank, and other transport utilised in Theatre. They are more than 100 men and women from 13 nations who have worked to create the 150 editions of the SFOR Informer published since December 1996.

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Turkish presence Patrol in Vares

Vares - Turkish soldiers assigned to the 1st Infantry Mechanised Company located in Zenica, spend countless hours on the road patrolling local villages in Multinational Division North's Area of Responsibility. The patrols, known as presence patrols, help instil the essential task of maintaining a safe and secure environment in the area.

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SFOR Cooking Class

Banja Luka - The luscious aromas of traditional British cuisine filled the air at the Banja Luka Catering College's cooking school on October 9 as U.K.Staff Sgt. Gavin Wood taught the local students how to prepare some succulent dishes. Wood has put together a program whereby 180 local students will learn how to cook and present British dishes.

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No communication barrier

Srebrenica - For decades, the United States and Poland stood at opposing ends of the political, economic and military spectrums. Multinational Division North soldiers representing both of these countries now find themselves partners in pursuit of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They patrolled together in the vicinity of Srebrenica.

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With all their heart

Camp Butmir - The Multinational Specialised Unit (MSU) is ready to provide any assets as necessary to support the multinational divisions or the battle groups operations in order to assist with the provision of a safe and secure environment. But the MSU also executes other tasks to include CIMIC operations that are performed by the G-9 Cell.

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The Dindo Challenge

Dindo - The launching of a Bailey bridge at the Dindo site has finally been completed after three months. The project required the co-operation of several organisations. From the very beginning until now many stages have been executed. The last one was the launching itself, which occurred during the first two weeks of October.

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Winter driving safety

Camp Butmir - The unusual weather patterns of this past summer indicate that a very severe winter may very well be on the way. With winter's arrival the frequency and seriousness of the road traffic accidents will increase. All drivers have to take into consideration the state of the roads, the meteorological conditions and the eccentricities of local drivers.

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Exercise Orange Dragoon

Manjaca - On Oct. 8, the Netherlands Battle Group (NLBG) held Exercise Orange Dragoon at the Manjaca Range near Banja Luka. This live fire exercise comprised of an infantry company with the aim of training basic infantry skills. The company of 90 to 100 soldiers was made up of three platoons.

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Inspection of ORAO factory by SFOR

Bijeljina - On Oct. 11, 2002 SFOR troops completed an unannounced inspection of the ORAO factory complexes in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as part of the Instruction To Parties (ITP) that requires SFOR to monitor weapons, weapon components, their movement, storage, manufacture and repair.

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"Auf Wiedersehen" to German wings

Rajlovac - The Multinational Army Aviation Battalion (MNAAvBn) in Multinational Division Southeast has a large detachment in Rajlovac, near Sarajevo. It is very important for forces and equipment. The French 'Gazelles', the Italian 'Hueys' and the two different types of aircraft the Germans use within the theatre operate from Rajlovac.

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A future investment

Jablanica - SFOR has greatly contributed to the overall improvement of the war-torn and neglected road system of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). While ensuring SFOR Freedom of Movement, the improvements have also guaranteed mobility to the people of BiH and opened up the way to Displaced Persons and Refugees wishing to return to their pre-war homes.

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Soldier in the spotlight

Corporal Rui Lourenço was born April 8, 1976 in Viseu, Portugal. He joined the Portuguese Army at the age of 20 at the Military Administration School in Povoa de Varzim and was promoted to his current rank in 1999. He started his tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina last July, but this is not the first time he has worked outside Portugal.

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