Task Force Eagle
In March 1993, the U.S. arranged an end to the war between Muslim and Croat forces, although Serb forces continued to fight. Following a Serb attack against Gorazde, NATO launched its first of many air strikes against Serbian rebels. At the same time, a U.S. delegation mediated peace talks between Serb and Bosnian forces, and a truce was signed on Jan. 1, 1995. War continued during the spring of 1995, when the Croat army attempted to retake territory held by Serbs since the beginning of the conflict. After seven months of sporadic fighting, peace talks began in November between leaders from each ethnic group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. On Dec. 14, 1995, the Dayton Peace Accord was signed in Paris by presidents Franjo Tudjman (Croatia), Aliji Izethbegovic (Bosnia), and Slobodon Milosevic (Serbia).
1st Infantry Division (ID) units played a key role in Bosnia in the first movement of U.S. troops into the war-torn country. 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division (AD) during Operation Joint Endeavor, from October 1995 to October 1996. The squadron crossed the Sava River on Jan. 3, 1996, and led the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2nd BCT) into Bosnia. The squadron was replaced by 1st ID elements in October 1996 after a yearlong deployment.
The 1st ID assumed authority for command and control of Task Force Eagle in a transfer of authority ceremony on Eagle Base on Nov. 10, 1996. The division's mission was to provide a covering force for the 1st AD units returning to Germany, and to continue to implement the military aspects of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The 1st ID continued to support the Dayton Peace Accord through the transition from the Implementation Force (IFOR) to the Stabilization Force (SFOR), in December 1996. The division drew together with National Guard and Reserve soldiers, members of the Navy, Air Force and Marines, and the soldiers from 12 nations in the area known as Multi-National Division North (MND(N)).
On Oct. 22, 1997, the 1st AD again assumed command of MND(N) and Task Force Eagle. 1st AD's soldiers, familiar with the mission and with Bosnia-Herzegovina, quickly adapted to the role and the challenges of establishing a secure and peaceful environment in MND(N).
On 20 June 1998, the NATO-led SFOR in Bosnia-Herzegovina transitioned to a slightly smaller follow-on force led by the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas. The U.S. agreed to provide a force of approximately 6,900 U.S. personnel to maintain a capable military force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Simultaneously, Operation Joint Guard ended, and Operation Joint Forge began. Operation Joint Forge will continue to build on the successes of Operations Joint Endeavor and Joint Guard. No timeline for the duration of Operation Joint Forge has been established. The mission will be assessed periodically, and the force commitment will be adjusted as circumstances require.
On Aug. 4, 1999, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) assumed command of MND(N) and Task Force Eagle.
On Mar. 7, 2000, the 49th Armored Division (AD) of the Texas Army National Guard assumed control of MND (N).
On Oct. 5, 2000, the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, took control of MND(N) at a transfer of authority ceremony held on Eagle Base.
