Kosovo HAZMAT Soldiers Train at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tawny Kruse | Members of the Kosovo Security Force HAZMAT Company, assigned to the Civil Protection Regiment, approach a notional contamination site during a training scenario at the Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany, on Nov. 2, 2020. The KSF is attending a JMRC rotation to build relationships and interoperability with the incoming international units deploying as part of Kosovo Force 28, a NATO organization dedicated to the safety and security of all people in Kosovo. The HAZMAT unit uses various testing equipment to determine hazardous threats (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tawny Schmit)  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

11.05.2020

Story by Spc. Ravenne Eschbach 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany- In October, Kosovo Security Forces travelled to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center to prepare for KFOR 28. The unit includes the country’s lone HAZMAT response team, which also participated in the training event to improve their skills, and build stronger relationships with other units.

“Being the only HAZMAT unit in country is a big responsibility, so it is important for us to interact with other agencies and international units for additional training,” said Kosovo 1st Lt. Ismail Sekiraqa, the platoon leader of the Kosovo Security Force HAZMAT Team.

The HAZMAT team learns how to deal with many different kinds of toxic industrial materials in various scenarios provided at the Hohenfels Training Area.

“The key takeaway here is the ability to train in a five pillar multinational event made to replicate their home nation as closely as possible,” said US Lt. Col. Stephen McKinney, the Senior CBRN Observer Coach/Trainer for the HAZMAT Training.

McKinney works with the Brigade TAC and oversees the staff responses before, during and after training events during KFOR 28.

“The highlights of this exercise were the technical and tactical proficiency that the platoon exhibited,” explained McKinney. “I saw a very well trained platoon that was well equipped and had exceptional performance.”

The Kosovo team worked closely with U.S. forces during the exercise, which Sekiraqa said helped his team gain more perspective as they return to their country to continue their mission.

“We enjoy the experience because it helps improve our skills and learn new ways of doing what needs to be done to help our country,” said Sekiraqa.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2020
• Date Posted: 11.09.2020 03:26
• Story ID: 382472
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE