Indiana Guardsman leads charitable efforts in Kosovo

Photo By Sgt. Miguel Ruiz | Indiana Army National Guard Master Sgt. Jordan Linville attends a new playground opening Sept. 18, 2020, at a primary school in Pristina, Kosovo. Linville, a culinary non-commissioned officer with the INARNG’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is currently serving as the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) NCO with the NATO-led Kosovo Force (or Operation Joint Guardian) mission. CIMIC operations in Kosovo include community-relations events and projects ranging from school cleanups, new playground construction, and community center donations. The KFOR mission has been one of peacekeeping since 1999 and CIMIC operations help to ensure positive relationships are maintained between Kosovo communities and KFOR personnel, said Linville. “Many of our CIMIC events benefit the youth in Kosovo and it reminds me of my school-aged children back home,” said Linville. “I very much enjoy every opportunity to help build and grow our [KFOR] relationships with the people in Kosovo.” KFOR is charged with ensuring the safety and security and freedom of movement for all the people of Kosovo in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Miguel Ruiz)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

10.13.2020

Story by Spc. Miguel Ruiz 

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Indiana Army National Guard Master Sgt. Jordan Linville is currently serving in Kosovo as the KFOR Civil-Military Cooperation Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.

Organic to the INARNG’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Linville deployed to Kosovo alongside the Oregon Army National Guard earlier this year.

In late September, Linville independently raised over 1,300 euro at a donation 5K race at Camp Bondsteel. The funds were used to purchase stove ovens that were donated to underserved primary schools in Kosovo and will be used to provide heating to the schools through upcoming winter months.

Money leftover from the oven purchases were used to create a fund for future iterations of KFOR troops to donate to in support of similar philanthropic initiatives.

“I wanted to create an opportunity for Soldiers to give towards a worthy cause,” said Linville. “My hope is that future KFOR rotations continue this tradition of fundraising to support deserving children throughout Kosovo.”

Linville has been at the forefront of KFOR’s community outreach efforts ranging from school cleanups, new playground construction, and community center donations in support of ongoing peacekeeping operations and fostering positive relationships with Kosovo community members.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2020
• Date Posted: 10.14.2020 17:48
• Story ID: 380896
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ