“Buckeye Brigade” Takes Bondsteel

Photo By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon | A color guard presents the colors for the United States, NATO, the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, during a transfer of authority ceremony on Camp Bondsteel, Nov. 19, 2016. The 37th IBCT, an Army National Guard unit from Ohio, will work as a part of a multinational force to support civil authorities in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Adeline Witherspoon)  

KOSOVO

11.19.2016

Story by Spc. Adeline Witherspoon      

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo-The official beginning of the “Buckeye Brigade’s” deployment to support Kosovo Force was celebrated by a transfer of authority ceremony on Camp Bondsteel, Nov. 19.
During the ceremony, the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, an Army National Guard unit from Ohio, assumed command of Multinational Battle Group - East from the outgoing 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.
“It was a great experience,” said Col. Ross Gammon, the commander of the 2-28th Inf. Div. “Our active duty brothers that we worked with, our National Guard brothers from other states, and our multinational partners are all committed to this mission and to providing stability for Kosovo.”
The 37th IBCT has spent the better part of three months preparing for the 22nd rotation of the KFOR deployment.
“We’ve been training since the middle of August,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Schuster, senior enlisted advisor for the 37th IBCT. “We got into the actual mission specific exercises both in Texas as well as in Germany, so that we learn about what we’re supposed to do in Kosovo as part of a peace support operation.”
This deployment, however, is different from the missions typically tasked to an infantry brigade.
“Usually you’re going out and doing dynamic operations,” said Schuster. “This one’s a little bit different because it requires you to be a little bit more laid back and to focus on building relationships rather than going out and engaging with an enemy.”
Schuster says that, despite the months of intense training, there’s always something new to be learned.
“When you start talking with different nations, you realize that they have a unique perspective that they can offer,” said Schuster. “It’s chance for us to learn better ways to complete a mission and grow as an organization.”
Gammon also encourages the incoming Soldiers to keep an open mind and to keep building strong relationships with multinational partners.
“Make friends,” urges Gammon. “Talk to everybody and learn as much as you can. Recognize right out of the gate that we do not know everything, but we know more today than we did yesterday, and we get better everyday.”
Schuster challenges his Soldiers to view this deployment as an opportunity for self-improvement.
“Have a goal and stick to a solid plan to accomplish that goal,” said Schuster. “Don’t ever be satisfied with just sitting around your room watching television. Challenge yourselves to continue to develop professionally through online courses. We’re gonna have the opportunity to create solid, tough training plans that maintain and improve upon our readiness.”
The training plans will also include working with the Kosovo civil authorities to promote peace and self-sufficiency within Kosovo.
“I’m also excited about working with the Kosovo police and the Kosovo security forces,” said Schuster. “We can help them to build a stronger Kosovo.”

• Date Taken: 11.19.2016
• Date Posted: 11.20.2016 06:33
• Story ID: 215300
• Location: ZZ