ministry for the kosovo security force newsletter · ambassador i. cliff also participated in a...

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2014 JULY

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE

Dear friends, welcome to the 29th edition of the MKSF’s newsletter.

We are all aware that life is composed of lights and shadows.

On June 6, an explosion at Kosovo's power plant “KEK”

took the lives of two people. The KSF immediately assisted

in the search for missing persons and were elated after

saving the life of a KEK worker who was buried under the

collapsed building.

We mean what we say; KSF is a multi-ethnic organization

that serves all communities living in Kosovo. In June our

engineers completed a road construction project in the

predominately Serbian village of Zabince. Additionally, we

organized an Albanian language course for Serbs and

Bosnians serving in the KSF. I attended their graduation

ceremony on June 26 and was impressed by their

appreciation for the opportunity to learn Albanian.

Football in the Western Balkan countries is extremely

popular. The FIFA World Cup is ongoing in Brazil, but did

you know that the KSF football team competed with the

KFOR and Albanian Armed Forces teams in Pristina?

Results of the games are in this edition of our newsletter.

Have a pleasant reading. Sincerely Yours,

AGIM ÇEKU


From 10 to 12 June, KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Kadri Kastrati, took part in the 18th conference of Chiefs of

Staff of the US – Adriatic Charter (A-5) in Budva, Montenegro. The main topic of the conference was “Maintaining

Interoperability through Regional Partnering“; several other topics were included: preparedness and maintenance of forces

in crisis response operations, signing of technical agreements for rapid support to countries in emergency situations,

intensified joined trainings, and others were discussed. Participants of the conference highlighted the importance the

Adriatic Charter plays in strengthening regional cooperation. They also confirmed their commitment to strengthen relations

and foster military cooperation, as well as to develop capacities for individual and regional involvement in future peace-

keeping operations and projects within the NATO “Smart Defence” concept. Speakers at the conference stressed the

importance of regional cooperation in terms of natural disasters, having in mind recent floods in Bosnia-Herzegovina and

Serbia and other natural disasters. Within the framework of the conference, Lieutenant General Kadri Kastrati had bilateral

meetings with the Deputy Commander of the U.S. European Command, Vice Admiral Charles W. Martoglio, and Deputy

Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy for the U.S. European Command, Rear Admiral Patrick Piercey, and others.

Lieutenant General Kastrati Takes Part In

The Conference Of The Adriatic Charter


From 16 to 18 June, the KSF organized a field training exercise “Dove 1”. The exercise, which was planned and organized by

Land Force Command (LFC), took place in Prishtine, Shtime, Peja, Klina and Vushtrri/Mitrovica. The goal of the exercise

was to demonstrate, maintain, and improve signal capabilities of tactical, operational, and strategic level units to organize, plan

and support KSF units with communication. The exercise was primarily designed to exercise planning, organization,

coordination, execution and evaluation. In addition to providing command, control and communication, this training

addressed communication shortfalls identified during previous exercises. The three Rapid Reaction Brigade (RRB) battalion

signal sections provided Voice, Data, Internet, Voice over IP phone, and Video Teleconference support during the training

exercise. More than 160 KSF members from the LFC, Communications Company, RRB, TRADOC, and Operational Support

Brigade participated. “After visiting each site, I was pleased that all communication soldiers demonstrated that their equipment

functioned properly especially important considering the bad weather. In addition to radio communications, two of the three

CPs had internet, Voice over IP, and Video Teleconference capabilities back to the LFC. KSF members’ morale was very high

and the teams worked constantly to improve their positions throughout the exercise. The success of the training illustrates the

capabilities the KSF has to support its forces during deployment and emergency response,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tim

Carey, Computer Information Systems advisor of the NATO Advisory Team.

KSF Conducts Field Training Exercise “Dove 1”


KSF Conducts Search And Rescue Operation

After Explosion At A Coal-Fired Power Plant

On June 6 at about 10 a.m., a hydrogen tank exploded at Kosovo's power plant “KEK” near Pristina, killing two people and

injuring 13. The blast struck the Kosovo A plant, which is the country's second biggest. The KSF immediately announced a state

of readiness and engaged in a search and rescue operation including 65 members and 21 vehicles. After searching for missing

persons, two workers of the KEK were found dead and one was rescued alive after being trapped in the building for more than

five hours. “During the search under ruins, the biggest emotion was when I found out that there was a person alive. I

understood this when I heard him breathe with difficulty. We did our utmost not to cause him injuries while getting him out of

ruins, so that we do not inflict extra wounds on him. While getting him out, we were constantly communicating with him, by

motivating him to stay calm,” said the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Squad Leader, Sergeant Mexhid Trolli. According

to the Incident Commander, Agron Bajrami, KSF intervention was essential to the situation management, and without the

KSF’s engagement the operation would not end with saving a life of the worker under ruins, and finding two bodies within a

short period of time. Kosovo A and B power stations provide some 90% of the nation's electricity.


British Ambassador Visits Training And Doctrine

Center

On June 12, the British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff, visited Training and Doctrine Center (TRADOC) in Ferizaj. At

TRADOC the Ambassador gave a speech and met officers and senior non-commissioned officers. His visit was part of a

continual professional education programme. Ambassador I. Cliff’s speech was on his professional journey as a British diplomat

and his experience of working in partnership with the military. Ambassador I. Cliff spoke about his experience working as the

British Ambassador in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sudan, OSCE Vienna and now in Kosovo, and how throughout he has engaged

with the military, not just UK forces but forces from all nations. Everyone in attendance found his speech very interesting and

informative. Ambassador I. Cliff also participated in a question and answer session, taking questions on a host of topics

including his view on the proposed Kosovo Armed Forces and recent parliamentary elections. “It was a privilege to have

Ambassador Cliff visiting TRADOC today and his lecture was well received and very educational,” said Commander of

TRADOC, Brigadier General Enver Cikaqi.


Cadets Participate In “Summer Campus 2014”

In the republic of Macedonia

In June, 10 cadets went to the Krivollak, the Republic of Macedonia, to participate in the fifth international high education

defence – security project “Summer Campus 2014”, organised by the Military Academy of the Republic of Macedonia. The

camp was designed for continuous acquisition of the lessons learned from the post-conflict operations conducted heretofore.

The focus of the camp was on certain elements of small unit tactics and troop leading procedures, public relations (public

relations and cohabitation with other actors, such as NGOs, humanitarian organizations and the Red Cross), the role of junior

officers in the protection of strategic communications and information operations as a line of post-conflict operations with a

specific focus on public relations and humanitarian aid to local population. “Summer Campus 2014” was conducted in 4 phases:

academic part on the topic “Post-Conflict Action and Enabling the State Capacities”; exercise of individual tactics, techniques

and procedures for conducting offensive operations and familiarization with appropriate procedures, tactics and skills from the

domain of stabilization and support operations; implementation of the acquired knowledge and skills through a final closing

exercise; and cultural and sports activities. This was the third time when cadets from Kosovo participated in this international

defence – security project.


KSF Engineers Reconstruct A Road In Zabince Village

In May and June, KSF engineers widened and paved a road in Zabince village, Novo Brdo, which is inhabited by a Serbian

community. The road construction project, 1.9 km in length, was delivered by the KSF Engineering Battalion, and was

completed in cooperation with the United Kingdom Embassy in Pristina, the European Union Office in Kosovo and the

International Office for Migration (IOM). The UK Embassy allocated 30 thousand euro for this project, whereas the IOM

through the European Commission’s fund assisted with 18 thousand euro. During the construction, KSF engineers widened the

road for about 5 m, opened the side canal with a length of 1.8 km, set concrete tubes, laid down and compacted almost 4000

m³ of gravel and fixed and paved 1.9 km. The project was completed 7 days before the deadline. Svetislav Ivanoviq, Mayor of

Novo Brdo Municipality, in his speech at the road inauguration ceremony pointed out that the newly constructed road

significantly improves the quality of life of people in the area, and from now on they will have easier access to the center of the

municipality and the service it provides.


In April Lieutenant Colonel Darren Doherty, from the UK Ministry of Defence, lead a seminar with key personnel from the

KSF on reserve force issue developments in the UK. The seminar initially focused on the history of Army Reserves in the UK.

Discussions were held on how the force developed over the last century up to the present day, talking about the growth of

reserve forces and the challenges that Armed Forces face today. Lieutenant Colonel Doherty provided participants with how

the UK is planning to go through a period of management change with the introduction of the Future Reserves 2020 strategy.

The seminar also provided a good forum for participants to question the British Officer on the new UK approach to reserves.

Brigadier General Hazrolli Deputy Commander Land Force Command pointed out that the seminar was very informative on

British medical training experts provide

advanced MEDICal training

From 16 to 27 June, a team of British medical training experts delivered the Rescue Trauma & Critical Care course, at the Civil

Protection Regiment (CPR), Pomozatin. Over 30 KSF personnel participated in the training course that focused on building

further skills and knowledge to deal with trauma and time critical injuries, which require urgent intervention and skilled action.

This training was an associated module of the paramedic programme, and the students selected on the course where drawn from

the previously trained personnel from the CPR and the Medical & Search and Rescue Company. Major General Rrahman Rama,

who visited the training and presented the course certificates, said: “I was really impressed by the quality of the course and

instruction and I feel it is essential that military personnel, at all levels, have the best medical training possible.” The feedback,

received from the course students, was extremely positive and they felt the course was excellent and it provided an ideal

opportunity to develop further their medical knowledge and skills.


From 9 to 13 June, 37 Kosovo high school students attended the “Youth Camp 2014” at the Training and Doctrine Command

(TRADOC) in Ferizaj. Students of the camp were familiarized with military order, KSF history, structure and mission as well as

the many activities of KSF members. “Students were disciplined and interested in learning as much as possible from the field of

military life. I would like to thank the cadets and instructors from the Basic Training Center (BTC) for their contributions to

this successful event. Additionally, I wish the students success in their education and private lives,” said the Commander of the

BTC, Major Sami Hajrullahu. Most participants expressed their wish to become part of the KSF in the future. During a

certification ceremony, Adonis Deliu stated that he had never felt as much pride as when he put on his KSF uniform. Antigona

Abdullahu said: “Being part of this camp was very challenging; we had a strict routine filled up with many activities. There are

many things that I want to tell my friends about this camp, especially the hospitality and untiring work of the KSF instructors

who were always ready to answer every question we had.” This was the first time TRADOC with support of the MKSF, the

Land Forces Command and the Ministry of Education organized a youth camp for schoolchildren.

TRADOC Organizes Summer Camp for High

School Students


KSF ETHNIC CoMMUNITIEs IMPROVE THEIR ALBANIAN

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Members of the KSF ethnic communities have received certificates of completion after successfully accomplishing an Albanian

language course on June 23. Minister Çeku during the certification ceremony stated: “This is a tremendous achievement for

many reasons. It further demonstrates KSF’s professionalism, commitment, multi-ethnicity and gender equality. The

completion of this language course demonstrates that the Serbian and Bosnian members have shown their willingness to be fully

integrated into the KSF and allows them to fulfill their duties professionally.” Corporal Sergjan Rakiq, First Battalion of the

Rapid Reaction Brigade, said after the completion of the course: “I was able to communicate in Albanian before but not at this

level. Now I am more confident in speaking and writing. The language course should be continued.” Corporal Olivera

Svetanoviq, also from the First Battalion of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, admitted that she could understand the Albanian

language before the course but had difficulties with speaking the language. “I would like to thank everyone for their support.

This course was very successful because now I can freely converse in the Albanian language with my colleagues.”


On June 20, a strong KSF football team beat a competitive KFOR team, in the Pristina Stadium, by 2 goals to nil. The KSF team

controlled the game from the start to finish demonstrating their ability to maintain their tempo; KFOR was unable to compete.

A strong defence and midfield eliminated any potential threat from the Portuguese led KFOR team. KSF took the lead 15

minutes into the match when Seminr Zurko maneuvered up the right side of the field to score. 10 minutes later, the KSF

scored their second goal when Blerim Vilanci’s 23 meter free kick curled around the KFOR wall and finished in the bottom

corner of the net. The flood gates were opened and the confident KSF team dominated the remaining time in the first half. It

was decided at half time to substitute players so that each individual had the opportunity to make an appearance. The persistent

KSF players only allowed KFOR the odd long range shot. Neither KSF goalkeeper had to make a serious save due to the

outstanding KSF defence and midfield. “It was good to win the game however the most important aspect was an opportunity for

the KSF team to prepare before the big game against the Albanian Armed Forces on 26 June,” said Lieutenant Colonel David

Jones, the KSF Team Manager.

KSF FOOTBALL TEAM BEATS KFOR


History was made when a large crowd watched the first football match, between the KSF and the Albanian Armed Forces

(AAF), at the Pristina Football Stadium on June 26. The game had been months in the planning, and the organisers were

somewhat relieved when the actual AAF team arrived in Kosovo. For the majority of AAF personnel this was the first time they

had visited Kosovo. Prior to the game the band of the KSF entertained the crowd, with a marching and static performance, and

then played the two national anthems, following the players being presented to Agim Ceku, Minister of the KSF, Major General

Viktor Berdo, Deputy Chief of Defence of the AAF, and Major General Rrahman Rama, KSF Land Force Commander. The

game itself was a competitive encounter with 100% efforts from both sides that saw several physical tackles and encounters. The

KSF throughout was in the lead and should have won the game with ease, after hitting the post and cross bar on four separate

occasions and also missed several other good chances from close range. However, the AAF made two good opportunities to

score with two shots from distance that the KSF goalkeeper did well to stop. The game ended 0-0, with the crowd and majority

of players going home pretty satisfied. Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, KSF team manager, said: “I am looking forward to our

up and coming games against the Montenegro Armed Forces, the Macedonian Armed Forces, and the return leg against the

AAF, all in September and October.”

INAUGURAL FOOTBALL MATCH TAKES PLACE

AT THE PRISTINA FOOTBALL STADIUM

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