U.S. KFOR Soldiers provide realistic 'opposition' during joint KTM-EULEX training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Dodds | A rioter, played by a U.S. Soldier from the 1-144th Maneuver Task Force, gets taken to the ground to be detained by members of the KFOR Tactical Maneuver Battalion during a riot-control exercise Feb. 18 at Camp Montieth, Kosovo.  

02.18.2010

Story by Sgt. 1st Class David Dodds 

116th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP MONTIETH, Kosovo — U.S. KFOR Soldiers from the 1-144th Maneuver Task Force, from Multi-National Battle-Group-East at Camp Bondsteel, played the role of "opposition forces" for teams from the KFOR Tactical Maneuver Battalion and EULEX (European Rule of Law in Kosovo) to provide a realistic experience during a recent training event held here.

The KTM and EULEX teams got together Feb. 18 to practice their expertise in crowd and riot control, to become more familiar with each other and to build cooperation. The American forces from Alpha Company, 1-144th were there to foil their plans and make their training even more challenging.
"I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and discipline the KTM and EULEX teams exerted onto the opposing forces," said Capt. Raymond Allard, Alpha Company commander, whose Soldiers portrayed rioters during the training. "I also walked away with the satisfaction that the men of Alpha Company truly tested the abilities of the KTM."

Air support for the exercise was provided by the Croatian aviation contingent also out of Camp Bondsteel. Riot-control vehicles also were used to help suppress the oppositional forces.

"It was a challenging situation," said Lt. Col. Lino Goncalves, KTM commanding officer with the Portuguese army. "We had more rioters than we had expected and we had to work
together with EULEX. The oppositional forces [rioters] forced us to make decisions, which are very important for our training."

The day of exercises started with the opposition forces, played by Alpha Company Soldiers, becoming agitated by a group of EULEX riot-control officers. Two groups of KTM riot-control forces were called in to provide support for EULEX. The KTM personnel were inserted at the scene by the Croatian aviation contingent.

"[My Soldiers] were met with resistance and determination from the KTM in order to keep us from gaining any ground," Allard said.

Throughout the exercises, various scenarios played out, such as rioters breaking through lines of riot-control forces. Some rioters even threw Molotov Cocktails and water bottles toward the riot-control forces.

"I think the skills of the riot-control forces were sharpened by defending against such an aggressive opposing force," said 1st Sgt. Steven Overton, Alpha Company, 1-1144th. "I know that, by watching and observing another country's (crowd and riot control) tactics, our Soldiers from Alpha Company also learned some new skills that they will be able to employ in their own future crowd and riot control exercises.

"By day's end, we were sore, bruised and tired, but better for the experience."

Portuguese army Capt. Carlos Narciso, KTM deputy operations officer, said the training wouldn't have been nearly as beneficial to the KTM without the element of realistic opposition provided by the American KFOR Soldiers of Alpha Company, 1-144th MTF.

"This training was good because we worked on the ability to quickly intervene on hot spots, and we showed the cooperation between KTM, EULEX and the Croatian contingent.

"The oppositional forces give us a picture of how it will be in a real situation. In training, oppositional forces are always valuable."

EULEX is a law enforcement reinforcement asset in Kosovo that responds to incidents in support of first responders, such as the Kosovo Police. KTM is a specialized group of KFOR Soldiers that responds, if needed, to incidents in support of EULEX and the Kosovo police.

Multi-National Battle Group — East is a U.S. led task force commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 2,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine). The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.

• Date Taken: 02.18.2010
• Date Posted: 02.23.2010 04:55
• Story ID: 45723