FORT BLISS, Texas (June 23, 2015) -- The 1st Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment, or the 1-252nd AR, deployed to Kosovo, June 9, as part of the 30th Armor Brigade Combat Team to conduct a peacekeeping mission, under the guidance of U.S. Army Europe and NATO forces.
For 15 years, U.S. and allied troops have remained there to ease tension between Serbians and Albanians. In 2008, a Kosovo Security Force was formed by Kosovo Forces, or KFOR, NATO, to assist in any acts of violence. The 1-252nd AR will be there as a tertiary response, should the KFOR need them.
"Our mission there is to lend a hand towards the safe and secure environment and freedom of maneuver there, and contribute in any way that we can assist Kosovo institutions to achieve that," said Lt. Col. William Grey, commander of 1-252nd AR.
The last time the 1-252nd AR deployed was in 2009 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The patrolling will be the same, however, Grey said, the difference will be the Kosovo environment, where it is safe and secure. Maintaining that safety and security is the goal.
Two Soldiers, assigned to the 1-252nd AR, are unique to this mission. Spc. Alvano Bonbaj was born in Albania, and Pfc. Silvester Isic was born in Bosnia. Both Soldiers look forward to contributing to their unit by providing translation services.
"I joined the U.S. Army in 2010 and was active for a while, stationed at Fort Bragg," Bonbaj said. "When I joined the National Guard, and I was told we were going to Kosovo, it was a huge surprise. It was just out of nowhere, and I thought, wow, that is awesome. My Family is glad that I will get to go back to the region where I was born and contribute in a positive way."
"I want to expand my knowledge of the current situation," Isic said. "This deployment came as a surprise and I am happy to be given the opportunity to see the Balkan region." Isic hopes to make a difference in the region while wearing the uniform.
Coming from these countries, Isic and Bonbaj both believe that freedom is a process for foreign countries such as Kosovo. As Bonbaj puts it, "stability doesn't come easy." Bonbaj grew up hearing an old saying which is "there will never be peace in the Balkans." Isic and Bonbaj believe they are contributing to the road for peace by having a presence there and making a difference with their NATO allies.
"No matter where we come from, we all seek the same things which is peace, freedom, and independence," Isic said.
"We are building little stepping stones that will lead to something greater," Bonbaj agreed.
Isic and Bonbaj have Families, who support their service to the uniform, just like all Soldiers do in the 1-252nd AR. Grey contributes the high-quality motivation of his troops to not only the Families back home in North Carolina, but to all the small town community employers, who also care for their employees, who serve in the military.
"I think that as part of the North Carolina National Guard, we stand ready," Grey said. "We were ready before we got here and we continue to build on that. We are going to do great things and represent the state of North Carolina and the nation proudly."
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