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    Alaska National Guardsmen mobilize at Fort Bliss

    Alaska National Guardsmen mobilize at Fort Bliss

    Photo By Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead | Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. Trenton Buning, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry...... read more read more

    JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

    06.06.2019

    Story by Pfc. Grace Nechanicky 

    134th Public Affairs Detachment

    Alaska Army National Guardsmen of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, 38th Troop Command, are at Fort Bliss, Texas to train and prepare for an upcoming deployment to Kosovo in support of NATO’s Kosovo Force.

    The battalion are staying in Texas for approximately two weeks to complete mobilization that began last September. They are participating in primarily administration, medical and personnel in-processing. They will be flying directly to Europe for their deployment after completion of mobilization.

    Half of the unit departed to Fort Bliss on the morning of May 29, followed by the second half on the next morning of May 30.

    During the training leading up to the unit’s departure, the Soldiers took part in a capstone training prior to their ceremony. They participated in multiple events, such as JBER’s Baumeister Range urban training complex where they simulated multiple scenarios such as unexploded ordnance and urgent medical situations requiring immediate attention from combat medic specialists.

    During this training, Soldiers from the Wyoming National Guard participated as well.

    The unit had its deployment ceremony at their home base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on May 5, where Alaska Army National Guard Col. Joel Gilbert, 38th Troop Command commander spoke on behalf of the KFOR, or Kosovo Force, mission that the unit is to support while overseas.

    The KFOR mission has existed since June 1999, marking this year as the 20th since its naissance.

    The NATO mission in Kosovo is primarily to guarantee a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all citizens of Kosovo, as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

    In carrying out its mission, NATO cooperates and assists the United Nations, the European Union and other international actors, as appropriate, to support the development of a stable and peaceful Kosovo.

    According to NATOS’s website, the objectives of KFOR are currently to deter renewed hostility threats against Kosovo by Yugoslav and Serb forces; establish a secure environment and ensure public safety and order; demilitarize the Kosovo Liberation Army; support the international humanitarian effort; and coordinate with, and support, the international civil presence.

    The KFOR operation is supported by approximately 4,000 troops provided by 28 different countries, according to the NATO website.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.06.2019
    Date Posted: 06.06.2019 18:49
    Story ID: 325874
    Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US

    Web Views: 133
    Downloads: 0

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