On 3 June 2013, in the morning hours, the KFOR Polish Military Contingent maneuver company began moving from Camp Bondsteel to Camp Cabra, where, after taking over the area of responsibility, it will begin carrying out its mandate tasks.
After a period of improving procedures applicable in the area of operations, the soldiers of the 28th Rotation KFOR Polish Military Contingent maneuver company in Kosovo began active operations in the area of responsibility for the first time since taking over their duties.
Camp Cabra, to which the maneuver company’s vehicle columns moved under the command of Captain Grzegorz Jopek, will be the place from which, after taking over the area of responsibility, the soldiers of the 28th rotation of the Polish contingent in Kosovo will maintain permanent and temporary checkpoints, conduct foot and vehicle patrols, and keep the quick reaction force (QRF) continuously ready to act in the event of threats.
The relocation of the 28th Rotation KFOR Polish Military Contingent maneuver company to a new area of mandate operations was preceded by training conducted as part of “Initial Training” by instructors from the U.S. Army Task Force Aviation. The training covered a range of topics related to improving medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) procedures and the rapid, safe loading of the quick reaction force (QRF) onto helicopters. Procedures and preventive actions ensuring crowd control (Crowd and Riot Control) were also practiced. The subordinates of Captain Grzegorz Jopek carried out various formations and maneuvering scenarios using a skirmish line, as well as operational techniques for suppressing demonstrations.
The KFOR Polish Military Contingent 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 the normalization of the situation in its area of responsibility.
The core of the new, 28th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent 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 Military Gendarmerie Special Unit from Mińsk Mazowiecki and the 1st Storage Battalion from Olsztyn, belonging to the 1st Logistics Brigade.
(information: Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii)