CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - A Wisconsin Army National Guard brigade assumed responsibility of Multinational Battle Group East during a formal ceremony here Saturday.
The 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade was joined by 13 other National Guard units and one Army Reserve unit from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico as part of Kosovo Forces 15.
They assumed responsibility from the New Mexico Army National Guard's 111th MEB, which arrived in April.
The Kosovo Forces commander, German army Maj. Gen. Erhard Drews, transferred responsibility of MNBG E from Army National Guard Col. Michael Schwartz, commander of the 111th MEB, to Army National Guard Col. Jeffrey Liethen, 157th MEB commander.
"As you know, we are one of many U.S. KFOR rotations," Liethen said during the ceremony. "Through the years KFOR rotations have changed just as Kosovo has changed, but one thing remains the same - our collective commitment to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo.
"I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that as commander, my objective is to continue to build upon the work done by the Soldiers of KFOR 14 and their predecessors," he added. "We look forward to working with our multinational partners and continuing to maintain a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo."
Schwartz spoke of the outstanding relationship forged between the many nations in the battle group.
"As I have said many times before to our Soldiers, our multinational partners are not part of the battle group, they are the battle group," Schwartz said. "Without any one member, our mission would have been much more difficult. Together, as a single organization, we accomplished many remarkable feats. We are truly a more mobile, capable force than ever before."
Drews commented regarding the changing of commanders.
"I know that the future of Multinational Battle Group East will be in very capable hands," Drews said to Liethen. "I am more than convinced that you will lead Multinational Battle Group East in the same outstanding manner as did Col. Schwartz."
The U.S. contingent of MNBG E is comprised of about 700 troops from 10 states and one U.S. territory. Units will be listed at end of report.
Multinational partners in MNBG E include France, Germany, Hellas (Greece), Morocco, Poland, Turkey, Armenia and Ukraine.
KFOR 15's yearlong deployment began in September at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels, Germany, where they received training on the tasks they would perform in Kosovo.
Multinational Battle Group East U.S. Army National Guard units:
- Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 157th MEB, Wisconsin
- 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Georgia
- 221st Military Intelligence, Georgia
- 230th Finance Company, Mississippi
- 1969th Contingency Contracting Team, Nebraska
- 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, Vermont
- 1st Squadron, 112th Aviation Battalion, North Dakota
- Bravo Company, 1st Squadron, 150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey
- Det. 3, Bravo Company, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, Wyoming
- Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin
- Det. 1, Bravo Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Wisconsin
- 387th Explosive Ordinance Detachment, Massachusetts
- Puerto Rico Joint Force Headquarters, Puerto Rico
- 461st Human Resource Command (Postal), Georgia
Multinational Battle Group East U.S. Army Reserve unit:
- 3274th U.S. Army Hospital, North Carolina