Captain back from NATO tour

By Joel McFarlandAugust 27, 2015

Kosovo tour
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

With the prominence and priority placed on the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, one tends to forget that a deployment does not necessarily mean a trip to the Middle East.

NATO has been leading a peace support operation in Kosovo since 1999, following a 78-day air campaign to halt the humanitarian catastrophe that was unfolding in former Yugoslavia. Despite NATO and United States recognition, Kosovo's northern neighbor, Serbia, does not recognize its status as an independent nation.

Today, NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) continues to be supported by about 4,500 troops from 31 countries, including the United States.

Capt. Mark Mateja, a physical therapist with Reynolds Army Community Hospital, recently returned from a nine-month deployment to the region. Stationed at Camp Bondsteel as part of the Multinational Battle Group-East (MNBG-E), Mateja deployed attached to the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash.

As the only physical therapist for MNGB-E, Mateja and Sgt. Jonathan Madrid, his physical therapy technician, kept busy treating U.S. Soldiers, as well as those from other NATO countries.

Part of Mateja's mission was to travel to the smaller NATO units in the region to provide physical therapy treatment. While the language barrier made patient communication a challenge, Mateja successfully provided treatment plans for coalition partners.

"Working with soldiers from other countries was infinitely rewarding," said Mateja. "It was an honor to provide care to such a diverse patient base, and I learned a great deal about the international community in the process."

While the area surrounding Camp Bondsteel is considered a combat zone, NATO and KFOR serve as peace keepers.

"Our area of operations is very safe," said Mateja. "We volunteered in the community teaching English in the local schools and diversity training. We also provided desperately needed school supply and hygiene items, sent in care packages from home. The gratitude of the Kosovar people toward Americans is evident everywhere you go."