CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - U.S. Army Col. Jason Baker, the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command East commander, relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Peter Helzer during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 22.
NATO has been leading the KFOR operation in Kosovo since 1999 to support broader international efforts to build peace and stability.
Baker, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, assumed command of KFOR RC-E in February. He led over 2,100 soldiers from 12 nations across three bases and multiple municipalities in Kosovo.
“Like previous rotations, KFOR 33 Regional Command East experienced its own unique set of challenges and opportunities,” said Baker. “On behalf of RC East, it’s been an honor working with the KFOR leadership and staff to overcome challenges and to take advantage of opportunities.”
The 48th IBCT conducted hundreds of missions during the deployment to Kosovo, including mounted and dismounted patrols, key leader and religious leader engagements, and community relations events with partner organizations.
“As the U.S. contingent of the KFOR mission, we are committed to global peace, security and stability, which is only achievable by all allies and partners working together,” said Baker. “NATO represents a past, present and future force concept and practice of men and women wearing different flags on their uniforms but fighting with the same courage and purpose. It is under this spirit that Regional Command East achieved their mission during our rotation.”
Brig. Gen. Cahit Irican, KFOR deputy commander, presided over the ceremony. Attendees included the First Gentleman of the Republic of Kosovo, Prindon Sadriu; Ambassador Jeffrey M. Hovenier, the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo; Lt. Gen. Bashkim Jashari, commander of the Kosovo Security Forces; Brig. Gen. Arthur Garffer, KFOR chief of staff; multinational soldiers and members of the Kosovo community.
Irican praised the work and accomplishments of the 48th IBCT and thanked Baker for his leadership.
“To those of you that have accomplished their service under the outstanding leadership of Col. Jason Baker, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Georgia, I thank you for your commitment and unwavering sense of duty to KFOR,” said Irican. “Your actions and contributions have been invaluable and will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
The 41st IBCT conducted multiple months of intensive training before arriving in Kosovo, including rotations at the U.S. Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center, post-mobilization training at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and a KFOR-specific training rotation at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
“Our team has undertaken a significant amount of work over the past several months to prepare for contingency operations across the spectrum of conflict,” said Helzer. “I’m extraordinarily proud of this team’s achievements and I want to express their commitment to building on the magnificent work of the 48th IBCT as we work to continue the success of this historic mission.”
The 41st’s arrival in Kosovo and assumption of KFOR RC-E command marks the 34th rotation of Kosovo Force, comprised of 29 allied and partner countries. KFOR continues to help maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people and communities in Kosovo, according to its mandate from the 1999 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and the military-technical Agreement between NATO and the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia.
“One of the key strengths of this mission is the integration of our multinational partners,” said Helzer. “The experiences and perspectives that soldiers from NATO and other partner nations bring allow us to enhance our ability to understand problems and develop solutions to solving them. We stand ready to assume command of the regional command mission with an organization of trained and professional soldiers from the U.S. and our allies and partners.”
Irican echoed that sentiment.
“As one of the largest contributing NATO partners to the KFOR mission, the U.S. has provided world-class Soldiers for many years to help shape and stabilize this complex environment,” said Irican. “I have no doubt that the new team from Oregon, the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team commanded by Col. Peter Helzer, will continue the example set before them and work hard to ensure a safe and secure environment within Kosovo.”