Birds in Flight

By Spc. Jordan Huwe, 116th PAD KosovoNovember 18, 2009

Col. Peter Conlin Promoted
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Co. Brian trenda Promoted
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Dave Thiele Promoted
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Multi-National Task Force - East

116th Public Affairs Detachment

There's a new flock of "full birds" in the TaskForce Falcon ranks. David L. Thiele, Brian R. Trenda and Peter W. Conlin, all of Bismarck, N.D., were promoted to the rank of Colonel while deploying to Kosovo in support of Multi-National Task Force - East (MNTF-E), KFOR 12. All three Soldiers are members of the North Dakota Army National Guard, and were pinned by Brig Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann, commanding general of MNTF-E.

Thiele was promoted Aug. 25 (date of rank Aug. 24), a week after arriving at Camp Atterbury, Ind. His promotion took place in a video conference room with his family watching from Bismarck. Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, administering the military oath of office to Thiele through the webcast.

"Dave Thiele has worked hard to earn this promotion, serving as both our senior legal officer and later as our military personnel officer, "Sprynczynatyk said. "His outstanding leadership and technical legal expertise will serve his commander and fellow Soldiers well during his upcoming deployment to Kosovo."

Thiele is the command judge advocate, and he now serves as the senior legal advisor to the commanding general for MNTF-E.

"It's an honor to be recognized by the leadership who entrusted me with this promotion; I look forward to carrying on the excellent tradition of North Dakota Guardsmen and to contributing to the success of our organization," Thiele said to the group of Soldiers attending the ceremony.

Trenda, who is the chief of information operations for the task force, was promoted Oct. 7 (date of rank Sep. 25)while in Hohenfels, Germany, during the second phase of the mobilization training.

"It's a great experience to be promoted here, at Hohenfels, Germany," said Trenda. "It's a very humbling experience. [I am] excited for the new position."

Trenda said that one of his goals out of Officer Candidate School was to achieve the rank of Colonel.

"It's a special day whenever we can promote one of our own," said Dohrmann. "As you've heard many, many times, we promote based on potential, not based on what you've done; and Col. Trenda has earned the right. He has the potential to serve at that level. We're looking for great things from him."

Conlin, was also promoted while in Hohenfels. His promotion took place on Oct. 12 (date of rank Oct. 8), during the second phase of the task force's Mission Rehearsal Exercise.

"It is an honor and privilege to serve in the North Dakota National Guard. I plan to continue my service, using my talents and skills to contribute to the continued success of our organization."

Conlin is working as the joint implementation committee chief, which maintains the military relationship between Kosovo forces and the Serbian Joint Security Forces by conducting bilateral meetings, addressing issues along the administrative boundary line that demarcates Kosovo. This coordination also involves the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia for border security issues.

"I congratulate Col. Conlin on this well-deserved promotion," Dohrmann said. "It is truly a significant achievement and mark of dedication in an officer's career. I look forward to working with Col. Conlin as our task force forges ahead toward its important mission in Kosovo."

"It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the North Dakota National Guard," Conlin said. "I plan to continue my service, using my talents and skills to contribute to the continued success of our organization."

These Soldiers have been training for this deployment since September of 2008, including five weeks at Camp Atterbury and four weeks at Hohenfels. The training at Hohenfels was the final phase before the task force's NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.