KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition

By 100th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentOctober 8, 2020

KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bradway Byrd, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with Kosovo Force Regional Command- East, observes Kosovo Force Security EOD as they prepare explosive material for demolition on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Lt. Petra Loxha, and explosive ordnance disposal instructor, brief Italian Army Brig. Gen. Michele Risi, the commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force, on EOD certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted the certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, shows a detonator to U.S. EOD troops from Kosovo Force Regional Command-East on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for KSF EOD cadets and led a joint demolition. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Col. Eric Riley, commander of KFOR Regional Command-East, operates a detonator during joint demolition operations on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. Kosovo Security Force EOD conducted a certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KFOR RC-E Task Force EOD provided oversight for the demolition. Task Force EOD serves as a secondary response to KSF EOD to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Valentine, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, observes Kosovo Security Force EOD cadets during a joint demolition operation on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 1, 2020. Concurrently, KSF EOD conducted a certification for eight EOD cadets. Task Force EOD serves as a secondary response to KSF EOD to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, shows a detonator to U.S. EOD troops from Kosovo Force Regional Command-East on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for KSF EOD cadets and led a joint demolition. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. . KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. Micah Navarette, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Kosovo Force Regional Command- East, observes a Kosovo Security Force EOD certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 1, 2020. Navarette, organic to 720th EOD out of Baumholder, Germany, is currently deployed in support of Operation Joint Guardian as a part of Task Force EOD. Task Force EOD and KSF EOD routinely work together to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Forces Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, instructs Italian Army Brig. Gen. Michele Risi, the commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force, how to operate a detonator certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification demolition for eight KSF cadets, resulting in the disposal of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL

PRISTINA, Kosovo –Explosive ordnance disposal Soldiers from Kosovo Force Regional Command-East and Kosovo Security Force conducted joint demolition operations and EOD certification for eight cadets on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo Oct. 1-2

KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Lt. Petra Loxha, and explosive ordnance disposal instructor, brief Italian Army Brig. Gen. Michele Risi, the commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force, on EOD certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted the certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Col. Eric Riley, commander of KFOR Regional Command-East, operates a detonator during joint demolition operations on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. Kosovo Security Force EOD conducted a certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KFOR RC-E Task Force EOD provided oversight for the demolition. Task Force EOD serves as a secondary response to KSF EOD to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, shows a detonator to U.S. EOD troops from Kosovo Force Regional Command-East on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for KSF EOD cadets and led a joint demolition. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. . KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Forces Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, instructs Italian Army Brig. Gen. Michele Risi, the commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force, how to operate a detonator certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification demolition for eight KSF cadets, resulting in the disposal of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. Micah Navarette, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Kosovo Force Regional Command- East, observes a Kosovo Security Force EOD certification on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 1, 2020. Navarette, organic to 720th EOD out of Baumholder, Germany, is currently deployed in support of Operation Joint Guardian as a part of Task Force EOD. Task Force EOD and KSF EOD routinely work together to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kosovo Security Force Sgt. 1st Class Besart Berisha, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor, shows a detonator to U.S. EOD troops from Kosovo Force Regional Command-East on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for KSF EOD cadets and led a joint demolition. KSF EOD serves as the primary responsibility for unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition, observes KSF EOD certification
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Valentine, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, observes Kosovo Security Force EOD cadets during a joint demolition operation on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 1, 2020. Concurrently, KSF EOD conducted a certification for eight EOD cadets. Task Force EOD serves as a secondary response to KSF EOD to remove unexploded ordnance in Kosovo. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bradway Byrd, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with Kosovo Force Regional Command- East, observes Kosovo Force Security EOD as they prepare explosive material for demolition on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR RC-E conducts joint demolition
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bradway Byrd, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with Kosovo Force Regional Command- East, observes Kosovo Force Security EOD as they prepare explosive material for demolition on Harilaq Demolition Range outside of Pristina, Kosovo on Oct. 2, 2020. KSF EOD conducted a certification for eight KSF EOD cadets, disposing of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions. KFOR RC-E supports the growth and enhancement of the institutions in Kosovo. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Melisa Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL

.

KFOR Regional Command-East Task Force EOD, organic to 720th EOD out of Baumholder, Germany, provided assistance and oversight for the KSF-led demolition and certification.

“Although the certification and demolition is being run autonomously by KSF, it is still the mandate of KFOR to remove unexploded ordnance from Kosovo,” said 1st Lt. Michael Villahermosa, commander of Task Force EOD. “The munitions being disposed of today are UXO and it is our responsibility to ensure they are disposed of.”

Under the supervision of their highly-experienced instructors, KSF EOD cadets disposed of 16 unexploded ordnance munitions ranging from hand grenades to mortar rounds, remnants from past conflicts in the region.

EOD certifications are vital for KSF in order to grow their force and maintain their capabilities to provide freedom of movement for the people in Kosovo.

Kosovo Security Forces EOD instructor 1st Lt. Petrit Loxha said “This gives [the cadets] more experience and gives them the confidence to perform demolition.”

Villahermosa and Loxha originally met during a training exercise for KFOR 26. Loxha said the two organizations have had a seamless relationship since the beginning.

“We got together pretty naturally and we have enjoyed the companionship,” said Loxha. “KFOR has been very helpful with the joint planning and being present to assistant instruct if needed.”

During the 27th rotation of Regional Command-East, KSF and KFOR RC-E responded to over 90 unexploded ordnance calls and conducted three joint demolitions. KSF EOD serves as the primary response for unexploded ordnance throughout Kosovo.

“This demolition highlights the capabilities and independence of the KSF EOD when it comes to growing their own ranks,” said Villahermosa. “Every time that KFOR and KSF can remove a UXO from the environment, it ensures the safety of the people living here.”

For more National Guard news

National Guard Facebook

National Guard Twitter