41st IBCT leads KFOR 27 exercise at JMRC

Photo By Staff Sgt. Amberlee Medina | U.S. Army leaders with 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard meet with NATO countries and allies participating in the multinational training exercise Operation Jungleer Enterprise, Feb. 19, 2020 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The 41st IBCT is leading the multinational exercise in preparation for Kosovo Force 27 which relies heavily on building cohesive partnerships. NATO has been leading a peace support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of international efforts to build peace and stability in the area. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Amberlee Boverhuis)  

HOHENFELS, GERMANY

02.22.2020

Story by Sgt. Amberlee Medina 

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

HOHENFELS, Germany-- 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard prepares for multinational training exercise Jungleer Enterprise Feb. 22, 2020 at Joint Multinational Readiness Center.
Jungleer Enterprise will begin Feb. 24 and incorporates 10 partner countries. The training scenarios during JE will prepare Soldiers for the Kosovo Force 27 mission.
KFOR 27 is an on-going NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo which contributes to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment in the region.
“We are excited to be here training and look forward to assuming the Kosovo Force 27 mission,” said Col. Eric Riley, 41st IBCT brigade commander.
The participating countries have been coordinating over the past year for JE and KFOR 27. For many of the participants, this exercise will be their first large multinational training exercise.
“This exercise is going to be a great experience,” said Lt. Omar Selmami, a light infantry platoon leader from North Macedonia. “This is the first exercise of its kind for us and the soldiers are very excited to incorporate training and share experiences.”
A common theme among the Soldiers participating in the exercise was the opportunity to improve interoperability and expand upon their skill sets.
“I’m excited for the KFOR mission and excited to expand my knowledge by learning from our partner nations.” said Sgt. Bradway Byrd, a 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader.
For others, JE, is a reunion and a testament to the ongoing relationships of partner countries.
“We know these American Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Uldis Adijan, an explosive ordnance disposal soldier with the Latvia army. “We first worked alongside them and other partner nations in 2010 and look forward to continuing our good friendship here and in Kosovo.”
During JE, Soldiers from all the 10 participating countries will work together during various training scenarios to refine and enhance partner capabilities and ensure effective responses to regional crises, deter potential adversaries and meet national defense goals of KFOR 27.
“Integrating with all KFOR partners and effectively training will ensure that we continue to provide regional stability and security in the area for the people of Kosovo,” said Riley.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2020
• Date Posted: 02.24.2020 07:32
• Story ID: 363724
• Location: HOHENFELS, DE