KFOR exercise to test recovery, transportation systems
October 11, 2005
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo (Army News Service, Oct. 10, 2005) - Multinational Brigade (East) will host a three-day exercise in Kosovo this week to test the interoperability of different national recovery and transportation systems.
The exercise, dubbed Operation White Shark, begins Oct. 13 with helicopter sling-load training at Camp Bondsteel and concludes Oct. 15 with railway transportation training at the Grlica Station, Kosovo.
The exercise will involve soldiers and personnel from all four multinational brigades of the Kosovo Force, the KFOR headquarters, its Multi-national Specialized Unit, its Tactical Reserve Manoeuvre Battalion, and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo Police, known as UNMIK-P.
KFOR is conducting the exercise in order to increase the effectiveness of its sling-load operations, rail transportation and recovery procedures in a logistical environment, command officials said.
Brig. Gen. John S. Harrel assumed command of Multi-National Brigade (East) in Kosovo Aug. 21. Prior to his deployment, Harrel served as chief of staff for the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized) of the California National Guard.
KFOR rotation 6B includes about 1,700 U.S. service members — mostly National Guard Soldiers from California, Kansas and Pennsylvania; along with smaller units from a number of other states and a composite Army Reserve medical unit. MNB(E) also includes Poles, Ukrainians and Lithuanians, among others.
KFOR is a NATO-led international force responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo following the civil war waged against it by former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic that ended six years ago this past spring.
KFOR includes troops from a total of 35 nations. Lt. Gen. Giuseppe Valotto of the Italian Army took command of the Kosovo Force Sept. 1 at KFOR headquarters in Pristina.
(Editor's note: Information provided by MNB(E) releases.)
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