CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – A new brigade of U.S. Army soldiers, led by the 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the New Mexico National Guard, officially took over responsibility for Multinational Battle Group East today. The 111th joined with units from nine other nations, in support of the NATO mission of maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all the people in Kosovo.
At the event, Col. Michael D. Schwartz, of Clovis, New Mexico, commander of the 111th MEB, based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and the soldiers under his command, officially accepted responsibility of MNBG E from Col. Francisco J. Neuman, Ponce, Puerto Rico, commander of the 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Soldiers in his battle group.
The U.S. contingent of MNBG E, is represented by soldiers from 22 states and U.S. territories. (Below is a breakdown of units and where they are from, as well as a list of the states that are represented by soldiers in the battle group.)
MNBG E’s sector of responsibility includes all of Kosovo, including the Administrative Boundary Line, where NATO peacekeeping forces conduct patrols and engage with the people and institutions in Kosovo. MNBG E provides air-mobile Quick Reaction Force and Crowd and Riot Control support, maintaining fast and flexible operations throughout Kosovo.
Neuman and the soldiers of the 92nd MEB have been providing safety and security in Kosovo since they took over the mission in July 2010. Schwartz said he looks forward to continuing that important mission with the help of multinational partners from France, Germany, Hellas (Greece), Morocco, Poland, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine.
“It is an honor to assume the KFOR mission, and I look forward to continuing to build on the work accomplished by my predecessors,” said Schwartz. “It is apparent that KFOR has proven its ability to maintain a safe and secure environment as well as ensuring freedom of movement for all residents in Kosovo.”
The incoming soldiers under Schwartz’s command started training for this deployment at their home stations in January, continued training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and in Hohenfels, Germany. They began arriving in Kosovo in March.
“We have come together from all over the United States and have built a strong, cohesive organization,” said Schwartz. “As commander of Multinational Battle Group East I look forward to building a strong relationship with all our multinational partners. Together we are a more mobile and deployable battle group, able to respond on a moment’s notice anywhere at any time.”
“It’s an honor for me to led Multinational Battle Group East,” said Schwartz, “as we represent the best of the international community. We come from many areas of the world and from many different cultures with a shared goal of maintaining a safe and secure environment with freedom of movement throughout Kosovo.”
Col. Neuman and Col. Schwartz were joined at the ceremony by KFOR Commanding General, German Maj. Gen. Erhard Buhler, as well as U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Commander, US Army Europe.
Units from the continental United States include:
MULTINATIONAL BATTLE GROUP – EAST
Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 111th MEB, New Mexico (ARNG)
200th Public Affairs Detachment, New Mexico (ARNG)
328th Human Resources Company (Postal), Tennessee (USAR)
221st Military Intelligence Battalion, Georgia (ARNG)
928th Finance Management Detachment, Pennsylvania (ARNG)
666th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Alabama (ARNG)
TASK FORCE MEDICAL
75th Combat Support Hospital, Georgia (USAR)
TASK FORCE AVIATION
Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1-376th Aviation Security & Support Battalion, Nebraska (ARNG)
1-150th Aviation Battalion, West Virginia (ARNG)
C/ 1-169th General Support Aviation Support Battalion, (Medical Evacuation), Pennsylvania (ARNG)
Detachment 1, B Company, 449th Aviation Support Battalion, Arkansas (ARNG)
MANEUVER
Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Regiment, New Mexico (ARNG)
C Company, 1-200th Infantry Regiment, New Mexico (ARNG)
JOINT REGIONAL DETACHMENT/ LIAISON MONITORING TEAM
717th Brigade Support Battalion, New Mexico (ARNG)
126th Military Police Company, New Mexico (ARNG)