Multi-State Task Force in Kosovo to Hold Transfer-of-Authority Ceremony

Courtesy Photo | Kosovo Forces commander German Lt. Gen. Markus Bentler presents KFOR 12 Multi-National Task Force-East commanding general Brig. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann with the MNTF-E colors, during a Transfer-of-Authority ceremony held at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The presentation of colors symbolizes the turnover of responsibility from California National Guard's KFOR 11 to North Dakota National Guard's KFOR 12.  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

11.14.2009

Courtesy Story

116th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo -- A new U.S.-led Kosovo Forces task force, made up of Soldiers from 37 states, officially took over responsibility of Multi-National Task Force-East on Saturday, joining units from five other NATO nations, all of which are maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo.

At a mid-day Transfer-of-Authority ceremony, Brig. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann, Bismarck, N.D., 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the North Dakota National Guard, and the Soldiers who make up his task force, accepted responsibility of MNTF-E from Brig. Gen. Keith D. Jones, 40th Infantry Division (Forward), of the California National Guard, and the Soldiers under his command.

"We've trained very hard for this mission, really, for more than18 months now," Brig. Gen. Dohrmann said. We're all ready for the mission; I know the Soldiers are excited to get things started with the mission, and I'm very excited to get things started too."

More than 1,300 Soldiers comprise Task Force Falcon, the U.S. contingent of MNTF-E. Though its headquarters is based out of North Dakota, units that make up the task force come from 14 states and territories: Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Hawaii, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan, Utah, and the Virgin Islands. In all, 37 states have Soldiers represented. (Below is a breakdown of units and where they're based.)

Nearly 2,200 Soldiers from several NATO countries, including the U.S., make up the total MNTF-E force.

Stretching along Kosovo's eastern Administrative Boundary Line, MNTF-E is one of five sectors, where NATO peacekeeping forces conduct patrols and engage with people and institutions.
Brig. Gen. Jones and the Soldiers of the 40th ID (FWD), known as KFOR 11, based out of Los Alamitos, Calif., have been providing safety and security in Kosovo since they arrived in February of 2009.

"This has been an especially important time in my life and my career and it has been an extraordinary experience meeting so many wonderful people and making so many wonderful friends," said California's Brig. Gen. Jones. "We could not have been successful were it not for the many partnerships that we were pleased to have. Our efforts have been greatly enhanced by the team of teams and I truly believe that those partnerships have allowed us to have a much more profound and lasting impact to Kosovo."

Brig. Gen. Dohrmann, with KFOR 12, looks forward to continuing that important mission with the help of multi-national partners from Task Force Hellas (Greece) and Task Force POL/UKR (Poland and the Ukraine), as well as units from Armenia and Romania.

"KFOR 12 Soldiers have been well-trained, are disciplined, and prepared to carry out their mission here in Kosovo," Dohrmann said. The Task Force I lead comprises Soldiers, both National Guard and Reserve, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, both civilian and military. They are all eager to begin what we have trained for months to do -- maintain a Safe and Secure Environment."

The incoming KFOR 12 Soldiers started arriving in Kosovo in late October.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2009
• Date Posted: 11.14.2009 16:22
• Story ID: 41597
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ