Photo By Sgt. Cheryl Madolev | U.S., Hungarian and Swiss aviation forces assigned to the NATO-led Kosovo Force...... read more read more
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The NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, also known as KFOR, is a peacekeeping operation that consists of over 30 troop-contributing nations. There are many multinational interoperability training and missions that are conducted daily, including patrols along the Administrative Boundary Line, or ABL, Combat Lifesaving courses and weapons ranges. Recently, Task Force Aviation of KFOR Regional Command-East, or RC-E, hosted an International Partner Multi-Ship Familiarization Flight, or IPMFF, at Camp Bondsteel May 12, 2025.
An IPMFF is a joint training exercise that is conducted by military forces from different countries. This particular training was led by the RC-E’s U.S. contingent of Task Force Aviation, and they were joined in flight by Hungarian and Swiss aviation forces.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Derek Wesel, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard, was the Air Mission Commander, or AMC, of the flight. He explains that the intent of the IPMFF exercise was to build relationships between the NATO Allies and partners, and to learn how to operate and communicate effectively together. Additionally, he adds that the KFOR mission is a very unique opportunity for the aircrews.
“Most aircrew will only have an opportunity like this once in their careers,” said Wesel. “It’s an opportunity that we only get in an environment like this. We can learn things both from observing how they operate, and about ourselves as we plan, brief and communicate about the operation in a way that is as clear, basic and concise as possible.”
KFOR’s air assets are a necessity, and these capabilities have been utilized for the peacekeeping operations in Kosovo since the beginning. Among many other things, Task Force Aviation delivers aerial insertions of infantry troops to remote areas of the ABL, provides the Joint Implementation Commission Soldiers with aerial patrols, and conducts real-world and training medical evacuations.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Brandon Martinez, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard, is the Task Force Aviation assistant operations officer and air mission request coordinator. He was one of the pilots during the IPMFF, and he reiterates the fact that the exercise was an experience that will not often be presented in his career.
“Flying in a multinational multi-ship was an awesome experience,” said Martinez. “Being able to compare standard operating procedures, share tactics and observe their techniques is a once in a lifetime event for most aviators.”
All multinational aircrew members were briefed together before the flight and meticulously went over procedures including the flight formations, plain-language communication they would use and flight manifests.
Three types of aircraft were used during the flight. The U.S. troops were flying the UH-60 Blackhawk, the Hungarians were flying the H-145M, and the Swiss flew the AS-532 Cougar aircraft.
The IPMFF enhanced the interoperability of KFOR’s air assets. Wesel says that although he had never worked with these nations before, he realized they shared many techniques and were able to quickly adapt to working together. Additionally, Martinez states that the mission readiness of all participants was improved.
“Operating as part of a multinational task force increases our readiness,” said Martinez. “Now in the event that there is an air movement or mission that requires these different countries to operate together we know we have the ability to integrate and converge those resources without an increase in risk to safety or jeopardizing the task.”
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2025 05:18 |
| Story ID: | 499426 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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