MNBG E Soldiers show adaptability during exercise

CAMP MONTEITH, Kosovo - Soldiers of Multinational Battle Group East took

part in a large exercise May 27 that involved multiple situations and tested

the agility and adaptability of Kosovo Forces (KFOR).

American and Turkish Soldiers worked together at Camp Monteith to provide

security for a simulated meeting involving a government official. The

Soldiers also provided inner and outer security to protect a Property with

Designated Special Status (PrDSS), an area or institution under special KFOR

protection.

According to 1st Lt. Jarrod Simek, Dickinson, N.D., the executive officer of

MNBG E's Bravo Company, this was the second time Bravo's Soldiers have

protected a PrDSS during training missions in Kosovo. He said their skills

have improved because of what they learned on these exercises.

The event also tested the ability of MNBG E Soldiers to control a riot,

provide medical treatment, and react to unexploded ordinance (UXO). The

Battle Group command staff coordinated and directed the maneuver of American

and Turkish forces, as well as MNBG E's aviation assets and the explosive

ordnance disposal unit as they all responded to the challenges of the

exercise.

"In a training exercise such as this, you are going to get exposed to UXOs,

casualties, and a wide range of other things that could potentially occur in

reality," Simek said. "This is an all encompassing test and I think we

passed with flying colors."

Soldiers in the MNBG E area of operations, outside of Camp Monteith, also

took part in the exercise. Lt. Col. Jerry M. Anderson, Bismarck, N.D., the

deputy chief of operations for MNBG E, said Ukraine Soldiers supported

operations on the Administrative Boundary Line with Serbia, Polish Soldiers

vigilantly monitored the border with the Former Yugoslavian Republic of

Macedonia, and Greek Soldiers provided a Quick Reaction Force capable of

responding across Kosovo.

KFOR's Portuguese Soldiers played the role of mock "rioters" who provided

resistance to both the Turkish and U.S. Soldiers' defenses at Camp Monteith.

Tasked with the role of outer security, the Turkish Soldiers under the

command of Capt. (OF-2) Ali Dunder, were the first to meet the opposition

outside a concertina wire fence built by U.S. Soldiers.

"We learned from prior exercises that you cannot protect an open area with

just a CRC capable force, so we set up concertina wire and now we only have

two entrances to protect," said Capt. Jason Peterson, Grand Forks, N.D.,

commander of Bravo Company.

A medical evacuation of a simulated injured Soldier took place during the

mock riot, and the medics on the ground and the air medical evacuation team

were quick to respond. In less than 40 minutes the Soldier was headed back

to the Camp Bondsteel hospital.

The U.S. Soldiers took over the outer defense from the Turkish

Soldiers and gained more experience in quelling violence and helping enforce

security.

"It gives our young Soldiers a real idea of what we could expect if we come

upon a real riot," said Sgt Ashley N. Timian, Fargo, N.D., an acting squad

leader for 2nd Platoon, 3rd Squad, Bravo Company. "It lets us know where our

weaknesses are, so we can make ourselves stronger - it helps us keep our

strengths - and identify the things we want to change."