Albanian and Kosovar-Serbian youth learn about NATO, find common ground on Camp Bondsteel

Photo By Sgt. Jarel Chugg | Albanian and Kosovar-Serbian youth pose with Soldiers from KFOR's Multi-National Battle Group - East during a visit to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on June 16. The youth learned about NATO and Multi-National Battle Group – East as part of a NATO-appreciation initiative by the U.S. Embassy in Albania.  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

06.16.2018

Story by Capt. Jason Sweeney 

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — Albanian and Kosovar-Serbian youth visited Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on June 16 to learn about NATO and Kosovo Force’s Multi-National Battle Group – East (MNBG-E). The visit came about as part of a NATO-appreciation initiative by the U.S. Embassy in Albania.

Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force that has been responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo since 1999. KFOR Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Lawrence Powell suggested Camp Bondsteel would be a great venue to teach Albanian youth about NATO. MNBG-E Commander Nick Ducich decided to invite Kosovar-Serbian youth to attend as well.

Twenty youth from Albania and 15 Kosovar-Serbian youth from the Kosovo town of Silovi arrived by bus at Camp Bondsteel the morning of June 16. They attended a lecture on the history and mission of NATO by MNBG-E Executive Officer Maj. Mike Kappelmann.

“My purpose was to clear up any potential misconceptions and myths about NATO,” Kappelmann said. “I was grateful to have the opportunity to interact with the young people we support.”

The youth checked out an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) static display by MNBG-E’s 702nd Ordnance Company, tried on an EOD bomb suit and drove an EOD bomb-disposal robot.

After lunch, they walked to the flight line to learn about the MNBG-E Southern Command Post’s UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters. The day ended with a social hour with the troops, which included volleyball, basketball, games, snacks and interviews with KFOR Radio and 4U Magazine.

“Like any group of high school kids, they were kind of stand-offish at first,” event organizer Capt. Gent Kepuska said. “But once Lt. Col. Bright taught them a Native American game, they started interacting with each other.”

Lt. Col. Renié Bright, an Army Reservist serving as a contracting officer for the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, taught the youth the Native American game of coo, which braves from warring tribes played to prove their strength and stamina and hone their skills as future warriors. Traditionally, the game was played with a dead rabbit, but in this case the kids used a stuffed owl. The goal of game is to capture the coo (the stuffed owl) without getting caught and take it back over your line of defense.

Bright split them up so the Albanian and Kosovar-Serbian kids were on teams together.

“I told the kids they’ve been talking to warriors all day long, now I want you to put it into practice and play a game that warriors play,” Bright said, adding that part of being a warrior is being able to work as a team. “They were up to the challenge. They learned to work together and learned sportsmanship. The kids all want to come back together and play again.”

• Date Taken: 06.16.2018
• Date Posted: 06.20.2018 05:05
• Story ID: 281608
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ