Outgoing chief of staff, chief support presented Army Commendation Medal

Photo By 1st Lt. Richard Longoria | Brig. Gen. Giselle Wilz, NATO Headquarters Sarajevo (NHQSa) commander, presents Col. Gyula Kovács, Hungarian Defense Forces, with the Army Commendation Medal during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Camp Butmir, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), on Aug. 10, 2016. Colonel Kovács was awarded the medal by the Secretary of the United States Army has awarded to for his meritorious service while assigned as the chief of staff and chief support of the NHQSa during the period of Aug. 10, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2016.  

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

08.12.2016

Story by Tech. Sgt. Richard Longoria 

NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

Col. Gyula Kovács, Hungarian Defense Forces, was awarded the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the United States Army has awarded to for his meritorious service while assigned as the chief of staff and chief support of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo (NHQSa) during the period of Aug. 10, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2016.

Colonel Kovács was decorated with the medal by Brig. Gen. Giselle Wilz, NHQSa commander, during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Camp Butmir, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), on Aug. 10, 2016.

The outgoing Chief of Staff and Chief Support was also awarded with the Non-Article 5 NATO medal for service with NATO in relation to the Balkans Operation and the NHQSa Commander’s Commendation.

“We have operated in a challenging environment over the past year, constrained resources, close eye of Naples and constant review of Berlin Plus Agreements,” General Wilz said during her speech. “Colonel Kovács was not only focusing on supporting the mission but also on cleaning up legacy issues within the HQ, some things that have just moved from rotation to rotation without a critical eye.”

The colonel focused on NHQSa’s compliance with NATO standards and that the headquarters provided the best possible support to EUFOR HQ’s mission: Operation ALTHEA.

“He fought hard to ensure the best interests of NHQSa, and what we do in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were supported at Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP),” the general said.

Because of his dedication, understanding of the NATO environment and performance, Colonel Kovács was recommended for positions of increased responsibility in NATO in his end of tour internal evaluation report by Lt. Gen. Leonardo di Marco, JFCNP chief of staff.

“Colonel Kovács’ exemplary support to the commander and his performance in his duties are in keeping with the finest tradition of military service and reflect a great credit upon himself and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” General Wilz said.

• Date Taken: 08.12.2016
• Date Posted: 08.12.2016 04:40
• Story ID: 206889
• Location: SARAJEVO, BA
• Hometown: BUDAPEST, HU