Troops prepare for KFOR mission

Photo By Sgt. Jarel Chugg | HOHENFELS, Germany - Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct patrols Mar. 2, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) at Hohenfels, Germany. The "Destroyers” from the 4th Infantry Division, are currently training with the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard for their role in KFOR 24 in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Jarel Chugg, 19th Public Affairs Detachment).  

HOHENFELS, GERMANY

03.07.2018

Story by Spc. Jarel Chugg 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

HOHENFELS, Germany — Soldiers with the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson prepare for their part in the Kosovo Force 24 mission while training in Hohenfels, Germany.

“The 3-61 mission is to conduct peace support operations to enforce the military technical agree- ment and maintain a safe and secure environment,” said Lt. Col. Donald Braman, commander, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg. “We will accomplish this by conducting patrols and intermittent observa- tion posts along the administrative boundary line (ABL) between Serbia and Kosovo. In the event of a civil disturbance or riot outside of the capability of Kosovo Security Forces, the squadron would assist in crowd riot control.”

The Joint Multinational Readiness Center prepares Soldiers for the mission that lies ahead with predeployment assessment training using multiple scenarios.

Upon completion of their training, Soldiers will finally be ready for their next destination, Kosovo. “This is my first deployment,” said Spc. Gregory Hall, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg. “I really
want to meet a bunch of new people, learn the culture while we are there and be able to get an understanding and to build good camaraderie with the guys I work with.”

Braman expressed his excitement for the upcoming deployment and all the opportunities this would provide for noncommissioned officers and specifically staff sergeants, since patrols are conducted at the section level.

“This provides a great opportunity for leader development and building interoperability with multinational partners,” said Braman. “All of our patrols along the ABL fit inside of our standard cavalry mission sets. Each patrol is a chance to constantly improve our small unit tactics.”

As a seasoned officer with multiple deployments under his belt, Braman knows that through this difficult time the family readiness group and the Fort Carson community are great for the Families, he said.

“This is my fifth-long tour deployment and each one you realize how great our Families and friends are who support us and still collectively keep life going back home,” said Braman.

In this career field, Hall has learned what is expected of him and his family.

“It’s always going to suck, but I understand and my family understands it’s a job and a profession I chose,” Hall said. “It’s something we have all decided to do, we are just going to work through it and do what we need to do.”

• Date Taken: 03.07.2018
• Date Posted: 03.16.2018 06:28
• Story ID: 269637
• Location: HOHENFELS, DE