Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wyatt | Spc. Prashant Patil, Kosovo Force 19, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment...... read more read more
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – The 13 Soldiers from 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, that made up the Kosovo Force 19 Team returned home to Kleber Kaserne, Germany, July 7 after a nine-month deployment supporting a Strong Europe with German, Italian, Australian, and local forces.
“These 12 outstanding individuals have selflessly dedicated themselves to the Kosovo Force mission in providing financial management support throughout the Balkans Theater,” said 1st Lt. Rachel Kim, Kosovo Force 19 Officer In Charge, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
“They learned their jobs through aggressive training and using the regulations,” said Sgt. 1st Class April Brooks, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command. “We also received a lot of support from the Area Support Team and the Multinational Battle Group East.”
The team processed $5 million through disbursing activities, paid more than $1.2 million in commercial vendor contracts, and processed more than 2,700 military pay transactions.
“I was a cashier in the cash cage where we mostly conducted exchange transactions, exchanging dollars for euros for everyone on Camp Bondsteel. However, I also had the opportunity to make payments to local nationals for the use of their land,” said Kosovo Force 19 cashier Spc. Yunju Hughes, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
“Our team had some amazing opportunities during this deployment,” said Brooks. “We were able to train with a cavalry unit and (participate in) Black Hawk operations, as well as (work with) the Military Police and their dog handlers.”
The team also built community relationships and experienced the culture. “We implemented 12 weekly English tutoring classes at the Children’s Center for the Disabled and hosted four base visits for more than 50 children,” said Kim.
“We were able to have the children come on Camp Bondsteel for Thanksgiving dinner,” said Hughes. “They had fun and we enjoyed playing with them and seeing them so happy.”
“The Soldiers got to see that no matter where you are, you can always help someone,” said Brooks. “We did it in a fun way, with soccer, barbeques, and English classes.”
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2015 11:44 |
| Story ID: | 174181 |
| Location: | KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, DE |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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