GJILAN/GNJILANE, Kosovo - Representatives from the Kosovo Police, EULEX and Multinational Battle Group East conducted a "walk-through" on the grounds of Camp Monteith April 20 to coordinate a joint response exercise that will take place later in June.
The planned exercise will test the ability of the three organizations to work together to respond to a simulated demonstration with KP assuming the lead, followed by EULEX, and then KFOR.
"We're working in conjunction with the Gjilan/Gnjilane KP and EULEX in an effort to improve our overall coordination with each other and to better understand each other's operational procedures," said Capt. James Lindeman, Fargo, N.D., the head of MNBG E's Joint Law Enforcement Liaison Team. "The KFOR mission is to act as a third responder and our objective in exercises such as this is for everyone to understand their roles in responding to a given situation."
KFOR's primary mission is to provide a safe and secure environment in Kosovo as a third responder behind KP and EULEX. The exercise will give the groups a chance to work through the steps that would lead to MNBG E being called in to assist local law enforcement if the situation should exceed their capabilities, said Lindeman.
The plan begins with a small demonstration gradually intensifying to the point where KP reinforcements must be called in, followed by EULEX, and then ultimately KFOR. KFOR will regain control of the situation with the KP, and then release responsibility back to the KP.
Members of MNBG E's Third Platoon, Bravo Company will play the role of unruly demonstrators during the exercise. The exercise will be confined to Camp Monteith in Gjilan/Gnjilan.
MNBG E leaders stressed that the idea of the exercise is not for KFOR to replace the KP, but for the organizations to work together.
On April 20, Lt. Naser Rrahmani, chief of operations for the Gjilan/Gnjilane KP, walked through the plan with a EULEX officer and about a dozen MNBG E Soldiers, including Lindeman and Col. Robert Fode, Bismarck, N.D., MNBG E's deputy commander maneuver.
At the walk through, the participants inspected the area where the exercise will take place, discussed factors such as where the KP plans to place roadblocks, how the traffic will flow, and where MNBG E forces will stage if called to assist.
KP Lt. Rrahmani said the close coordination that takes place in the planning stages of such an exercise, as well as the cooperation that will take place in the actual exercise, benefits everyone in the long run.
A similar exercise is scheduled to take place in Ferizaj/Urosevac, also in June.
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Multinational Battle Group East is a U.S.- led unit, commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 1,200 Soldiers, including representatives from Greece, Poland, Turkey and Ukraine. The charter mission of MNBG E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.
Please contact the MNBG E Public Affairs office for media engagements or to follow-up on this information.
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