MNBG E successfully clears Rudare roadblock

Photo By 1st Sgt. James Wagner | A soldier from 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard, provides security during roadblock removal operations June 1, 2012. Two Kosovo Force soldiers were injured by gunfire during the operation after unidentified individuals in a violent crowd opened fire on security forces providing a cordon around roadblock removal efforts. KFOR responded in self-defense, using tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition.  

RUDARE, KOSOVO

06.01.2012

Story by Sgt. 1st Class James Wagner 

172nd Public Affairs Detachment

RUDARE, Kosovo - Multinational Battle Group East soldiers, comprised primarily of Army National Guard members, successfully led a roadblock removal operation on the outskirts of the small northern Kosovo town, June 1, 2012, to improve freedom of movement for Kosovo residents.

The roadway, the main artery between the southern portion of Rudare and Mitrovica, was one of nine roadblocks that Kosovo Force officials had determined prevented freedom of movement in the region.

In addition to providing a safe and secure environment, KFOR is charged to ensure freedom of movement throughout Kosovo as part of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

"The operation was a total success, from the conception and planning of the operation to the execution on the ground by the soldiers in this battle group," said U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey Liethen, MNBG E commander from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. "I couldn't be prouder of the men and women who performed their duties so admirably."

The operation was conducted in the early morning hours, while most residents of the town were leaving for work. Soldiers from the German and U.S. contingents quickly established vehicle control points and a security perimeter so the Portuguese-led KFOR Tactical Maneuver Battalion could bring in the heavy equipment required to remove the substantial concrete, gravel and debris barrier.

Soldiers from other MNBG E multinational contingents arrived in the subsequent hours to provide follow-on security to the area.

U.S. forces on the ground were comprised primarily of soldiers from the Georgia Army National Guard's 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment. The unit's headquarters element, located at MNBG E's forward command post at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, developed the course of action used in the operation after lessons learned from other operations, current intelligence estimates and manning requirements.

Based on the lessons learned from other operations, mission planners adapted their requirements to encompass key terrain - namely a bridge connecting Rudare and another city, Zvecan, as well as a road intersection north of the bridge - that needed to be controlled in order to ensure this mission's success.

Further complicating the operation was the complexity involved in getting more than eight different nations to execute the mission plan in a coordinated manner from several camps located throughout Kosovo.

According to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Lynch, FCP commander from the 3/108th CAV, fears over potential miscues were quickly erased as the operation launched. Detailed planning and close coordination among all participants, he said, ensured the successful removal of the roadblock.

"Without the close coordination and cooperation of all nations involved, we could not have accomplished what we did," Lynch said. "We are extremely pleased that all the multinational units in this operation performed their missions with professionalism and excellence. Furthermore, I continue to be impressed by the level of dedication demonstrated by all the contributing nations."

Two KFOR soldiers were injured by gunfire during the operation after unidentified individuals in a violent crowd of protestors opened fire on security forces. MNBG E forces responded in self-defense, using tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition.

KFOR officials strongly condemned the violence started by individuals who started the escalation of violence in the first place, stating in a release NATO forces would respond proportionally and "continue to do so firmly, prudently and impartially, in full compliance with our mandate. That is what our troops have been doing for the last 12 years at considerable risk to their own safety. We urge all parties to avoid unilateral moves, inflammatory statements or violent acts."

• Date Taken: 06.01.2012
• Date Posted: 06.06.2012 03:26
• Story ID: 89482
• Location: RUDARE, ZZ