The deputy chief of staff of Ukraine's Land Forces Command traveled here Jan. 11-14 to learn more about Kosovo and Ukrainian participation in the mission here.
Gen. Lt. Rauf R. Nurullin began his visit by meeting with troops in the Ukrainian contingent at Camp Bondsteel. On Jan. 12, he was briefed about the state of affairs in Kosovo and the role played by the Kosovo Forces (KFOR) and Multi-National Task Force-East (MNTF-E).
The briefings also discussed the future of the Ukraine force structure within KFOR and adjusted troop levels in MNTF-E, which will transition into a Multi-National Battle Group Feb. 1, 2010.
Battle Group forces will be configured to react quickly and decisively throughout Kosovo as a third responder behind the Kosovo Police and the European Rule of Law Mission.
At a formal dinner hosted by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, commanding general of MNTF-E, Nurullin said that, during his short visit, he had seen how Soldiers from Ukraine were achieving success in their mission of supporting peace and stability in Kosovo, working as part of the MNTF-E international contingent.
"The Ukrainian contingent is a valued member of our task force," Dohrmann said at the dinner. "I truly believe both our armies benefit by working together and I support continuing the relationship we have in KFOR with Ukraine. It is my honor to host your contingent here."
On Jan. 13, Nurullin took a tour of the MNTF-E area of operations by helicopter. In the afternoon, he visited Ukraine Soldiers stationed at Camp Breza, their base near Strpce/Shterpce.
"The biggest task today is the support of peace and stability," he said. "Here in Kosovo, we are working on completing this task as a part of a multinational contingent. We are working directly with U.S., Polish, and Hellas (Greek) troops; we also have the close cooperation of German, Turkish, Armenians and other nations under NATO. We are learning a lot from each other."
Nurullin joined the Ukraine Soldiers on a patrol to gain familiarity with the area and with the Soldiers' duties. After his visit to Strpce/Shterpce, Nurullin had a private meeting with Dohrmann . He left Camp Bondsteel Jan. 14, meeting briefly with officials at KFOR headquarters in Prishtina/Pristina before departing Kosovo.
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