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 April 2. 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, Army Col. Michael D. Schwartz, commander of the 111th MEB of the New Mexico Army National Guard, and the Soldiers under his command, officially accepted responsibility of MNBG E from Army Col. Francisco J. Neuman, commander of the 92nd MEB, of the Puerto Rico National Guard, and the Soldiers in his battle group.
The U.S. contingent of MNBG E, is represented by Soldiers from 22 U.S. states and territories.
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 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," Schwartz said. "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, and 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," Schwartz said. "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 lead Multinational Battle Group East as we represent the best of the international community, Schwartz said. "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."
Neuman and Schwartz were joined at the ceremony by KFOR Commanding General, German Maj. Gen. Erhard Buhler, as well as Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Commander, US Army Europe.