Photo By Maj. Wencke Tate | Multinational soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony transferring authority of...... read more read more
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CAMP FILM CITY, Kosovo – The responsibility for the Kosovo Forces Headquarters Chief of Staff transferred from U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven W. Duff to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David N. Aycock at a ceremony held at Camp Film City July 3.
Duff, a Mobile, Ala., native, with more than 30 years of commissioned service, has served as the KFOR CoS for the past year after previously serving as the deputy commanding general, United States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Aycock, from Lisbon, La., takes responsibility as the KFOR CoS after serving as the chief of staff for the National Guard Bureau.
During the transfer of responsibility ceremony, the KFOR commander, German Army Major General Volker R. Halbauer, praised Duff’s ability to perform his duties in a complex and demanding environment.
“You have worked tirelessly to facilitate progress,” said Halbauer. “You have been the right man, in the right place to assist me in moving ‘Forward Together’. For that I am truly grateful.”
Halbauer also commended Duff’s ability to shape a cohesive staff of over 400 military and civilian personnel drawn from 31 nations.
“You have always been wonderful in your commitment in your development of soldiers,” said Halbauer. “You have held yourself to the highest standard of excellence while being a great example of our motto ‘Forward Together’.”
Duff was quick to give credit to the soldiers and civilians working on the KFOR staff.
“I stand here successful not because what I have done, but because what you have done,” said Duff. “You have made my job easy.”
He also highlighted the importance of all the multinational partners that make up KFOR.
“We could not be successful without all of you,” Duff declared. “I am very humbled to have been here, and I will remember this always.”
During the ceremony, Halbauer present Duff with the “non-article 5” NATO Medal and the U.S. Defense Superior Service Medal for his accomplishments while serving as the CoS. Duff was also presented the Medal for International Cooperation (First Class) of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Joint Forces Medal-of-Honour of the Italian Defense General Staff.
In Halbauer’s remarks to the Aycock, he congratulated him as the new KFOR CoS and reminded him of the tremendous responsibilities that come with the position.
“Today marks the beginning of your tour here in Kosovo,” said Halbauer, “but also as a reminder of a very challenging assignment in a time of significant development throughout Kosovo. With your diverse background, I’m more than convinced that you will lead the KFOR staff in the same outstanding manner as General Duff has done.”
Duff echoed his confidence in Aycock’s ability to take on his new assignment.
“It’s very apparent that the soldiers that follow us are just as good if not better than we are,” said Duff. “Today I tell you that as I leave, you will be advanced by a man who is better than me; he will take you to even greater heights.”
Aycock assumes the role of KFOR HQ CoS with over 23 years of highly decorated service with the U.S. Army.
The KFOR mission is derived from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo in order to support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2013 14:12 |
| Story ID: | 109849 |
| Location: | PRISTINA, ZZ |
| Hometown: | LISBON, LA, US |
| Hometown: | MOBILE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 725 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Brig. Gen. Aycock assumes responsibility as KFOR Headquarters chief of staff, by LTC Randy Ready, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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