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CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo – Soldiers from the Kosovo Force Regional Command East Latvian Contingent lower their national flag during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2022. The flag is symbolically lowered during the ceremony and handed to the outgoing commander, so the flag may be raised again by the next commander and their Soldiers.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Alexander Hellmann, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo – U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eddie Simpson, deputy commanding officer, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia National Guard, speaks to the outgoing Latvian Contingent during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2022. Simpson, also the deputy commander of Kosovo Force’s Regional Command East, provides leadership and support to the members of RC-East’s Maneuver Battalion like Latvia.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Alexander Hellmann, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo – The commander of Regional Command East’s Maneuver Battalion, Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, awards Soldiers of the Republic of Latvia with NATO medals during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2022. The Latvian Soldiers completed their months-long mission with honor and dedication and will be rotating back to their homes in Latvia.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Alexander Hellmann, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers from the Latvian National Contingent performed a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo Aug 02, 2022. The ceremony was attended by U.S. Army Regional Command East (RC-E) staff as well as command staff from the RC-E Maneuver Battalion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Alexander Hellmann)
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo – Latvian Contingent commander, Lt. Col. Martins Bucs, awards his Soldiers with NATO medals during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2022. The Latvian Soldiers completed their months-long mission with honor and dedication and will be rotating back to their homes in Latvia.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Alexander Hellmann, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard)VIEW ORIGINAL
CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo - Soldiers from the Latvian Contingent performed a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Kosovo Force’s Regional Command East senior staff as well as command staff from the RC-E Maneuver Battalion.
The ceremony began with remarks of congratulations, well wishes and farewell from the outgoing Latvian Contingent commander, Lt. Col. Martins Bucs. Additional comments were made by Lt. Col. Eddie Simpson, the deputy commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, the commander of RC-East’s Maneuver Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment “Mountain Warriors.”
Bucs remarked on the largely peaceful time he and his Soldiers experienced while in Kosovo and thanked Simpson and Mendez for their leadership and support during their time working together.
“We have been fortunate to be here during such a peaceful period,” Bucs said. “And I am thankful for the great leadership we have had from the Maneuver Battalion.”
Following their remarks, Bucs, Simpson and Mendez awarded medals to the Latvian Soldiers in attendance for their distinguished service during their time in Kosovo.
“This is an important day for the Maneuver Battalion, as we say farewell to one team and welcome another,” said Mendez in his address to the Latvian Soldiers. “(The Latvians) could always be counted upon. You have left your mark on not only this organization but on each of us who have served with you.”
The ceremony ended with the playing of the Latvian National Anthem and the symbolic lowering of the national flag, to be raised again by Capt. Janis Blazis, the contingent’s incoming commander.
The Latvian Contingent’s contributions to the security and stability of Kosovo are quantified through their daily patrols throughout northern and eastern Kosovo while standing ready to assist with maintaining the safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all in Kosovo as mandated by the United Nations Security Cooperation Resolution of 1999.
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