The ceremony to hand over command of the Multinational Battle Group East between Colonel Waymond Storey and Colonel David Woods took place on 1 June at Camp Bondsteel. Representatives of KFOR Headquarters attended the ceremony, led by KFOR Commander General Volker Halbauer.
The handover took place in the presence of subunits and colour guards provided by the countries forming part of the Multinational Battle Group, including Polish soldiers of the 28th rotation of PKW KFOR, carrying out mandate-related tasks in Kosovo.
The symbolic dimension of international cooperation was demonstrated by entrusting the conduct of the ceremony to a Polish officer, Deputy Commander of MNGB-E, Lieutenant Colonel Remigiusz Zieliński. For the first time in the history of the contingent, a Pole conducted the ceremony according to American drill and military ceremonial regulations. The “ceremony commander’s” outstanding performance was evidenced by numerous words of recognition and congratulations from the command of the Multinational Battle Group East.
The Polish Military Contingent KFOR in Kosovo is carrying out a stabilization mission and forms part of the Multinational Battle Group – East. As part of its operational activities, the Polish contingent performs tasks involving monitoring compliance with international agreements and treaties in order to create conditions for safe living and to normalize the situation in its area of responsibility.
The core of the new, 28th rotation of PKW in Kosovo consists of soldiers from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec—the unit responsible for forming and preparing the contingent—as well as the Special Unit of the Military Police from Mińsk Mazowiecki and the 1st Storage Battalion from Olsztyn, belonging to the 1st Logistics Brigade.
(information: Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii)