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  • #31













    39th Infantry Group Medal Parade


    For the 163 members of the 39th Infantry Group who are serving in Kosovo for the first time, St. Patrick’s Day 2009 will be remembered with pride. The 39th Infantry Group hosted its Medal Parade on St Patrick’s Day in Camp Clarke. The guest of honor was Brigadier General G. Hegarty, the General Office Commanding of the 4th Western Brigade. The day commenced with the St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Blessing of the Shamrock.

    While the day was bitterly cold, the snow held off. At 16.00hrs the medal parade commenced. Guests who attended the parade included H.E. Ambassador Martin Greene, KFOR Deputy Commander Major General Gilles Fugier, KFOR Chief of Staff Brigadier General David Berger and Deputy Head of EULEX Mission Mr. Roy Reeve.

    Medals were presented to members of the 39th Infantry Group who had not served in KFOR previously. BG Hegarty presented medals first to the Senior Irish Officer Colonel Herbert, KFOR Headquarters Support Group Commander, and Colonel McMahon, Multinational Task Force Centre Deputy Commander, and then to Lieutenant Colonel E. Caulfield, Officer Commanding 39th Infantry Group and Irish Contingent. He then proceeded to present medals to the remaining personnel at the parade. BG Berger, Col. Herbert and Col. McMahon assisted in the presentations of medals also. BG Hegarty then addressed all those gathered for the parade. He complemented all personnel at the parade for an excellent turnout and he spoke of the importance of KFOR in the region and the contribution the 39th Infantry Group has made on the operational front, ensuring a safe and secure environment. BG Hegarty acknowledged the importance the humanitarian work the 39th Infantry Group has undertaken in Kosovo and the high regard the people of Kosovo appreciate this work. A march past, concluded the ceremonial aspect to the day.

    Afterwards, all the guests and members of the 39th Infantry Group were invited to Thomand Hall where the chefs had prepared a meal which received the highest complements of the 300 personnel and guests who attended the reception. OC 39th Infantry Group, Lieutenant Colonel Caulfield thanked the General Office Commanding of the 4th Western Brigade for attending the parade on St. Patrick’s Day and made a presentation of Bog Oak (Bog Oak is the term given to native timber that has been preserved in wetlands for several millennia).

    The day’s festivities finished with all personnel and guests enjoying an evening of music in Camp Clarke. The 39th Infantry Group would like to express their thanks to all those who supported us on this day.

    Text by OF-3 Rory McCorley, 39th Infantry Group Deputy Commander, Irish Army

    Photos by OR3 J Reilly, Irish Army









    Military Police Exchange between MNTF N & MNTF C

    The Multinational Military Police Element (MNMPE) is located in Camp Victoria in MNTF (C). It consists of Military Police from four (4) contributing countries: Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland and Sweden. There are twenty nine (29) personnel in the unit. This unit is responsibility for maintaining law and order among KFOR troops from MNTF (C) are involved.

    In MNTF (N) there are three (3) countries providing Military Police support: Belgium, Denmark and France. The Military Police in MNTF (N) are located in three (3) separate camps: Camp Belvedere, Camp Olaf Rye and Camp Novo Selo.

    During the month of March, a Military Police exchange program occurred between MNTF (N) & MNTF (C). The concept behind the exchange program was to improve the working relationship between Military Police in different Task Forces, to foster and develop links that would enable enhanced communications, in relation to Military Police investigations and to compare working environments and methods of Policing.

    The first exchange took place from 03 March to 04 March 09. Sergeant Olli Oivanen from Finland and Warrant Officer 11 Pavel Buban from the Czech Republic participated in this exchange. They spent 03 March working with the Danish Military Police in Mitrovica and the 04 March with the Belgium Military Police. During this time they received briefs, conducted joint speed & vehicle checks, compared Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) and met with local KP personnel. The second exchange took place between 23 March and 24 March 09. Staff Sergeant Jaakko Iivonen, from Finland, and Corporal Debbie Carr, from Ireland, participated in this exchange which was conducted in a similar manner to the first exchange.

    Captain Bo Kristensen Officer in Command of the Danish Military Police said that he thought the exchange program was an excellent idea and a great way to get to know other Military Police, and compare investigation techniques. Sergeant Major Walter Verbeke from Belgium felt that the exchange program allowed him the opportunity to make new contacts within the Military Police world and to reminisce on old acquaintances. Corporal Debbie Carr from Ireland said that she enjoyed participating in the exchange program and felt it was a great opportunity to learn from other nations. Staff Sergeant Jaakko Iivonen from Finland said that he too enjoyed the chance to meet and work with Military Police in another Task Force and looks forward to other such exchange programs.

    This Military Police exchange program was a huge success and it is hoped that it will continue and Military Police from MNTF (N) will visit MNTF (C), in a similar manner. New contacts between the Military Police have been established and there is increased respect and professionalism between all participating elements.

    Captain Orla Jennings (Ireland)
    Provost Platoon Commander
    MNMPE, MNTF (C)

    A couple of interesting articles here:

    http://www.nato.int/kfor/chronicle/2...ronicle_03.pdf
    You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

    Comment


    • #32
      Originally posted by DeV View Post
      We were assuming the over 40 think was Chad, I know of people over 40 going though!
      A driver from Mullingar served in Chad on the first trip at the age of 49!, he's currently looking to return, just waiting on his exemption letter
      CRIME SCENE INSTIGATOR

      Comment


      • #33
        You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

        Comment


        • #34
          You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

          Comment


          • #35
            NATO chief assesses Kosovo exit strategy

            PRISTINA (AFP) - – New NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen made his maiden visit to Kosovo on Thursday to evaluate his plans to trim the alliance's security mission in the breakaway Serbian province a decade after war.

            Rasmussen, a former prime minister of Denmark, hopes to gradually wind down the presence of NATO's 13,800-strong Kosovo Force (KFOR) to a small reaction unit or withdraw it completely.

            "I would like to stress that this decision only reflects the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo and... is conditionally based," he said in the capital Pristina.

            "That means that reductions will take place in accordance with the continued improvement in the security situation," Rasmussen.

            Just before leaving Kosovo, Rasmussen told reporters at the Pristina airport that the "first step (of reduction) is planned to take place by January next year.

            "Our intention is to reduce the number of troops to a level of around 10,000, he said.

            "The next step will be a reduction to around 5,700 troops, but very much will depend to developments in Kosovo and the region," Rasmussen added.

            After taking over from his predecessor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer this month, Rasmussen made his first official visit to Afghanistan, where he wants to boost NATO troops to complete a successful handover of security to local forces.

            At the time, he said one of the priorities of his four-year term was "to see KFOR reduced to just a small reaction force, or out altogether."

            Speaking to reporters here, he said: "The fact I decided to go to Kosovo only a few days after I took over my new office clearly reflects that I will give Kosovo high priority in my work as secretary general of NATO.

            "We will stay committed to ensuring the security in Kosovo and in parallel with that I can confirm that we will continue to assist the Kosovo authorities in the continued development of the Kosovo Security Force."

            Launched in January this year, the KSF is to eventually number 2,500 members in a civilian protection force meant to help in emergency situations.

            But the KSF's formation was met with anger by Belgrade's government and Serbs in Kosovo, who fear it will be dominated by ethnic Albanians they cannot trust.

            NATO however says that Kosovo's security has improved since it declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, a move backed by the West but opposed by Serbia, Russia and China.

            "We will definitely not take decisions that have a negative impact on security in Kosovo," Rasmussen stressed.

            In his one-day visit to Kosovo, the NATO chief met with President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and KFOR commander Lieutenant General Giuseppe Emilio Gay.

            He then made his way to a KFOR command post near Mitrovica, the ethnically divided northern town that has witnessed some of the worst violence in Kosovo since its 1998-1999 war.

            Tens of thousands of NATO troops entered Kosovo after the alliance's 11-week bombing campaign in 1999 to end a brutal crackdown by forces loyal to late Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic on separatist ethnic Albanians.

            In June, the alliance revealed plans to cut the KFOR mission to 10,000 troops by January, and to some 2,500 personnel within two years if a series of benchmarks are met.

            Kosovo's ethnic Albanians are estimated to account for around 90 percent of the disputed territory's two million population.



            Comment


            • #36
              Slovak Contingent Commander's meeting







              On 1 September 2009, Slovak Contingent Commander, OF-3 Vladimír Grišlo welcomed Deputy Commander of Multinational Task Force Center (MNTF-C), OF-5 Con Ryan at Camp Šajkovac to conduct the Contingent Commander's meeting. The participants from Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic started their meeting at 1000 hrs.

              This meeting consisted of two parts. First, OF-5 Ryan briefly discussed past, present and future concerns of MNTF-C and mentioned current solved issues in the Task Force. Second, national Contingent Commander, OF-3 Vladimír Grišlo showed a presentation of Slovakia.

              After presentation, Maj Grišlo invited dear guests for lunch with a traditional Slovak cuisine consisting of Slovak cabbage soup with kippered meat, Liptov brigants plate, potato cake with surprise and of course, apple cake roll with cranberries sauce. After lunch, Slovak soldiers presented their armored fighting vehicle and light armored wheeled vehicle called "ALIGATOR" affording each contingent commander with an option to drive these vehicles to gain a newfound experience. Next, participants moved to shooting range HRTICA where Slovak and Czech contingents practice their shooting. Guest demonstrations by Slovak logistic platoon and a shooting contest started with the automatic rifle and pistol type 82. Finnish Contingent Commander showed his great skills in shooting by winning the competition, with Czech in second, Slovak contingent Commanders in third.

              Later, attendees returned to Camp Šajkovac for another contest. The task was easy – to hit the nail to wooden log and use minimum hits to nail it completely. Czech Contingent Commander won with seven hits. In the end, of the Contingent Commanders' day hosted by Slovak contingent OF-3 Vladimír Grišlo announced the results of competitions and presented winners.

              Story by OF-2 Peter Fedorš, Slovak Army
              Photos by OF-2 Ján Szakala, Slovak Army
              Last edited by Fireplace; 19 September 2009, 17:55.
              You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

              Comment


              • #37
                Text by OF-3 Rory McCorley, 39th Infantry Group Deputy Commander, Irish Army

                Photos by OR3 J Reilly, Irish Army
                Interesting use of NATO rank designation.


                Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                Comment


                • #38
                  Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
                  Interesting use of NATO rank designation.
                  I note an OR-3 is a Cpl. Am assuming that the OR-1 grade is not applicable to the
                  Irish Army - or is the OR-2 grade non applicable ?
                  "Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" (Jimmy Greaves)!"

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    The NATO ranks are a hard one to judge

                    I was on a mission where because of my appointment I was 2 OR Grades above my comparative ranks

                    I was also on a mission where some American reserve Bird was listed as 3 grades ahead of me

                    even though she had told me she done most of her promotion courses on line or at a distance

                    and she appeared one evening with her runners on the wrong feet.

                    That has nothing got to do with the NATO rank structure but I just like telling that particular story
                    Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
                    Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
                    The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
                    The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
                    The best lack all conviction, while the worst
                    Are full of passionate intensity.

                    Comment


                    • #40

                      Irish Contingent Medal Parade









                      On 24 September 2009, at 1700hrs, an Irish KFOR (40th Infantry Group of Irish Defense Force) medal parade was held in the Camp Clarke near Lipjan/Lipljan to decorate Irish soldiers for their end-of-tour. The ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Kosovo Force Commander, Major General Antonio Satta.

                      A number of military and civilian authorities attended the event as the distinguished guests. Amongst them were Officer Commanding 1st Southern brigade of Irish Defense Force, Colonel Conor O'Boyle, KFOR Headquarters Support Group Commander (HSG), Colonel J.J. O'Reilly, Deputy Multinational Task Force Center Commander (DCOM MNTF-C), Colonel Con Ryan, leading officers of the Multinational Task Force Center Headquarters, Finish, Swedish, Czech and Slovak national contingent commanders within the Multinational Task Force Center, Mayor of Lipjan/Lipljan, representatives of EULEX and local institutions.

                      The ceremony started with parade formation, conducted by Irish KFOR Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Bergin. Following posting of colors, Deputy Kosovo Force Commander, Major General Antonio Satta arrived for the ceremony and saluted the unit flag. The national flag of Ireland was presented in the front of troops. The Officer Commanding 1st Southern brigade, Colonel Conor O'Boyle inspected the troops, escorted by Irish KFOR Contingent Commander. The ceremony was accompanied by traditional Irish pipe music. Because Irish KFOR has the only pipers, especially for the ceremony, three Irish pipers came from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

                      Following the reading of prayer by Irish contingent chaplain and reading of citation, all Irish soldiers were awarded the Non-Article 5 NATO medals for military service in Kosovo. This event is especially memorable for 37 troops receiving their first overseas medal. DCOM KFOR, Major General Antonio Satta decorated personally KFOR HSG Commander, Colonel J.J. O'Reilly and DCOM MNTF-C, Colonel Con Ryan.

                      During his speech, the Officer Commanding 1st Southern brigade, Colonel Conor O'Boyle gave the best regards from Irish high military authorities, whom he represented on the parade. The Irish Defense Force is on the way to achieve the highest professional standards. The Irish soldiers have served in Lebanon, the Golan Heights, Eritrea, Somalia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Western Sahara, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Chad/Central African Republic. Colonel Conor O'Boyle underlined the good results obtained this past six months from the soldiers of the 40th Infantry Group of Irish Defense Force, contributing to the safe and secure environment in Kosovo and providing high reputation of Ireland.

                      Following the playing Irish National Anthem "Amhrán na bhFiann", the national colors went off the parade. The ceremony ended with the DCOM KFOR accompanied by Colonel Conor O'Boyle departure. After the event, all guests were invited to the reception.

                      Story and photos by KFOR Chronicle team
                      You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Jesus, that's some belly on the Lt in the second picture.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Originally posted by Hello Alaska View Post
                          Jesus, that's some belly on the Lt in the second picture.
                          No, it's just the Pistol belt causing his shirt to rise up. If he had a belly the shirt would be hanging differently.
                          Trust me.:wink:

                          When are you gonna post photos of yourself so we can comment on your flaws?


                          Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
                            No, it's just the Pistol belt causing his shirt to rise up. If he had a belly the shirt would be hanging differently.
                            Trust me.:wink:

                            When are you gonna post photos of yourself so we can comment on your flaws?
                            I'll take your word for it.

                            As anyone that knows me on here will tell you, I am flawless and I look rather tasty in my delightfully short running shorts.... Honestly.

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Maybe he had a "leg injury" or something?
                              "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Do the yanks still have that big place down the road from camp clarke ?
                                Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier - Samuel Johnson

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