CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - A transfer of authority ceremony for the Liaison Monitoring Team of Multinational Battle Group-East was held here July 10.
The ceremony featured the casing of the outgoing LMT's colors and the uncasing of the incoming LMT's colors. Also, KFOR 12 Soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard removed the LMT patches from their uniforms and KFOR 13 Soldiers from the Puerto Rico National Guard put LMT patches on their uniforms.
Maj. Robert M. Fugere, outgoing commander for the 957th LMT of KFOR 12, had one last piece of advice for the new team.
"Be engaging in manner and congenial in disposition," he said.
Col. Francisco J. Neuman, the incoming commander for MNBG-E, said the training his Soldiers received in Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and Hohenfels, Germany, has familiarized them with their job and their mission. "They are fully prepared for their mission," he said.
The purpose of their mission is to pass all information gathered from the public and report it back to KFOR in order to provide and maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all the people living in Kosovo, said 1st Sgt. Cesar Rivera, first sergeant for the 192nd LMT.
Within the next few months, the members of KFOR 13 LMTs will continue with the professional relationships already formed by their KFOR 12 counterparts as they also form new relationships with people living within the local communities.
The day before the ceremony, mayors from across Multinational Battle Group East's area of operation welcomed the incoming commander, Col. Francisco J. Neuman, and say their "goodbyes" to outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann of the North Dakota National Guard. Dohrmann thanked the mayors for their help and praised the progress made during the KFOR12 rotation. He also asked for their assistance during the transition to the new commander.
"Instrumental in that progress has been the support that all of the mayors and local governments in our sector have shown our Liaison and Monitoring Team (LMT) Soldiers since we arrived in Kosovo," said Dohrmann.
"The LMTs are the primary connection between Battle Group East and the people in our area of responsibility and they would not have been as successful without important assistance from the municipalities that came in the form of office space, information and friendship.
Thanks to all of you for providing this assistance." Dohrmann then introduced Neuman, who replaces him as commander on July 24. "It is with mixed feelings that we prepare to handover responsibility," said Dohrmann. "Soon, soldiers from KFOR 12 and I will be departing Kosovo, a place we have called home for the better part of nine months. This land and its wonderful people will always hold a special place in our hearts."
After Dohrmann's remarks, Neuman explained his past history with Kosovo.
"This is my third deployment here," he said. "I came in 2000 and then again in 2006-2007. I have seen the improvements made by the people here, and I can honestly say I feel a part of the history here."
Dohrmann said his Soldiers are excited to return home. "Most importantly, we will all leave with a sense of satisfaction over their good work here in Kosovo, and the significant progress we have seen first-hand."