MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER · 2019. 3. 21. · MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 NOVEMBER security and defence co On both the 21st and

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 NOVEMBER

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE

Dear friends,

It is my pleasure to present you with the 43rd edition of the

MKSF’s newsletter.

Last month the Ministry successfully organized the KSF

Partners Conference which brought together our bilateral

partners for a look at our common efforts and subsequent

results in developing the Ministry and the Kosovo Security

Force (KSF) and to discuss the way ahead. We presented

our needs to our partners and received practical and well

thought-out proposals.

The KSF held its largest field training exercise known this

year as “Eagle IV”. This annual event is traditionally held in

October. Along with smaller scale exercises, this training

event helps to test our capabilities, Force Development

Plan, and response readiness. This also helps to identify best

practices and to develop lessons learned.

On the 4th of October the KSF organized a charity run event

with the purpose of raising funds for the children of

Gjakova. This first time event received great support from

Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, the NATO Adviser to KSF

Commander, and the Gjakova Municipality. The act of

helping others in need by giving our money and our time is

very rewarding; it gives us an inner satisfaction and a sense

of purpose in life.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Sincerely Yours,

Haki Demolli

http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/Jack-Canfield.html


On both the 21st and the 22nd of October, Minister Haki Demolli took part in the third Comprehensive Regional Ministerial

in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The Ministerial included Defence and Ministerial policy officials from three regional initiatives – the

U.S. Adriatic Charter (A-5), the South East Defence Ministerial Initiative, and the Western Balkans Defence Policy

Directors. During the two-day event, the Defence Ministers and other senior defence policy officials discussed regional

security and defence co-operation in regards to the existing security threats and challenges. In his speech, Minister Demolli

pointed out that Kosovo is grateful for the significant role that NATO, through KFOR, is playing in the development of

Kosovo’s security sector however; he also acknowledged that Kosovo must continue to develop and strengthen the ability of

its own institutions to provide safety and security for all citizens of the country. During the event, Minister Demolli

participated in bilateral meetings with Dr. Evelyn Farkas, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine,

and Eurasia, Mimi Kodheli, Albanian Minister of Defence, Ante Kotromanovic, Defence Minister of Croatia, and Zoran

Jolevski, Defence Minister of the Republic of Macedonia. The first Comprehensive Regional Ministerial was held in Slovenia

in 2013 and the second event was in Montenegro in 2014.

Minister Demolli Attends Comprehensive

Regional Defence Ministerial

Minister Çeku participates in U.S.-Adriatic Charter Defence Ministerial Conference


MKSF Holds KSF and Partners Conference

On the 15th of October, the MKSF organized their KSF and Partners Conference which was attended by MKSF and KSF’s

leadership, representatives of NATO Advisory Team, NATO Liaison and Advisory Team, and Foreign Defense Attaché officials

in Kosovo. Minister Haki Demolli in his opening speech pointed out that the Ministry and the KSF especially appreciate the

Partners’ commitment and dedication to professionalize and advance the KSF. Participants of the conference were briefed on

the cooperation between the KSF and Partner countries, the ethnic community policy in the KSF, the implementation process

of the recommendations taken from the Strategic Security Sector Review, and the KSF training plan for 2016. As quoted by

Colonel Todd Jacobus, Deputy Director of NATO Advisory Team, “the MKSF in general, and specifically the Security

Cooperation Department did an outstanding job of bringing together KSF partners by providing an agenda that allowed

participants to receive important information about training and equipment needs, in order to consider ways that we can

continue to support the KSF to increase its overall readiness”.


KSF holds its largest annual Field Training Exercise

“Eagle 4”

Starting on the 11th and concluding on the 16th of October, the KSF conducted its largest annual Field Training Exercise “Eagle 4”

in a training area west of Ferizaj. The scenario was built around the community of Ferizaj experiencing an earthquake that causes

widespread damage to the area. The objectives of the exercise were to train the KSF leaders and units on collective tasks to ensure

their ability to conduct complex operations in support of the civilian authorities as well as to improve their overall readiness for a

response during an actual emergency. More than 380 KSF members from different units, including the Rapid Reaction Brigade’s

Hazardous Material Company, the EOD and Demining Company, the Search and Rescue Task Force, and the Medical Unit were

engaged in various operational exercises. On the 16th of October, President Atifete Jahjaga visited these events as part of the

Distinguished Visitors’ Day program where she commented that everybody should be proud of the achievements and progress of

the KSF. President Jahjaga also said that “because of these achievements and progress we will achieve our goals towards the

transformation of the KSF into the Armed Forces of Kosovo, a process that will help to conclude the development of our security

infrastructure for the Republic of Kosovo and our consolidation as a state”.


UK Provides the KSF with Medical

Instructors Course

Following the huge success earlier this year of the immediate care program known as First Person on Scene (FPoS), the UK was

asked to provide an Instructor level course that would enable KSF medics to provide Instructor level training to their fellow

members within the KSF. This request resulted in the UK conducting a “Train the Trainer” (T3) event for the top 8 students from

the FPoS course. This training was started on the 12th and ran through the 21st of October. Once again the training was based at

the Headquarters of the Rapid Reaction Brigade in Istog and combined a brief, 3 day clinical update and a refresher module

combined with the T3 instructional syllabus. The students who participated found the course to be very challenging whereas they

gained valuable clinical knowledge with a hands-on approach at a higher, professional level. All students found the experience

rewarding with their willingness and ability to learn being reconfirmed through the delivery of sound and confident lessons.

Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, Adviser to KSF Commander, stated that the T3 course was only offered to the very best students

from the FPoS course, with the intent of developing these students into instructors and experts within the course syllabus. “This

training really allows the KSF to build its own capacity with the delivery of quality course,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Jones.


During September and October the Croatian Navy hosted five members of the KSF Civil Protection Regiment (CPR) for diver

training in Split, Croatia. The level of training was such that the KSF members attending the diver course had to pass arduous

aptitude tests with Croatian Navy Instructors before being allowed to progress onto the training course. The Search and

Rescue Company personnel were well prepared and everyone passed the aptitude tests. Over several days of training, the

Search and Rescue Company personnel swam and dived extensively in both rivers and lakes and also in the sea. On the 9th of

October, the five KSF personnel returned to their base in Pomozatin as certified Divers. Immediately upon their return, they

began assembling a training program that will prepare future CPR members to pass the challenging Croatian Navy diving

aptitude tests. It is planned that other CPR members will be given the opportunity to attend this same training in Croatia in

2016.

KSF Divers Attend a Dive Course in Croatia


British Military Advisory Training Team

supports the KSF

In October, the British Military Advisory Training Team (Czech Republic) spent four weeks in Kosovo, as part of an In-

Country Training Team, working closely with 30 members of the 2nd Battalion of the Rapid Reaction Brigade (RRB). The

training was based on a platoon level infantry package, facilitated by British Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Instructors,

using a peace support operation scenario as the learning tool. The training was aimed at developing individual military skills and

to increase the capabilities and knowledge of the KSF in regards to future participation in Multinational Peace Support

Operations. Colonel Xhevahir Geci, the acting RRB Commander, pointed out that the training event was very professionally

run and the RRB soldiers learned a great deal from it. The UK Armed Forces are well positioned to deliver this kind of training,

as they have a wealth of experience that can be offered to countries who are engaged in transition.


Swedish Delegation Visits Search and Rescue

Training Centre

On the 28th of October, representatives from the Swedish Rescue Training Centre, Swedish Embassy, U.S. Embassy, and the

NATO Liaison Advisory Team visited the KSF Civil Protection Regiment in Pomozatin. The purpose of the visit was to

examine the progress of the construction work at the Search and Rescue Training Centre and to receive a briefing as well. The

construction workers and an engineer from the MKSF explained their progress on both the “Collapsed Building” and the

“Semi-Collapsed Building” to include their plans for future construction planned for 2016. They also highlighted the quality of

the work carried out so far and the crews were congratulated on their progress so far. With that being said, there are several

new ideas being formulated and considered for this regionally important facility.


170 New KSF Members Take their Oath for

Service in the KSF

On the 30th of October, the KSF welcomed 170 new members to its ranks, of which 11 of these new members were female.

All were given the oath of enlistment after their successful completion of the nine-week long Basic Training. As recruits in Basic

Training, their education included the Disciplinary Codes, Codes of Conduct, Drill and Ceremony, Duties of a Soldier, Search

and Rescue, Land Navigation, and First Aid. The Oath of Enlistment ceremony was held at the Training and Doctrine Center

(TRADOC) and was formally attended by Minister Haki Demolli, the KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama,

and other dignitaries. In his speech, Minister Demolli said that he is confident that the hard work, discipline, and motivation

that the recruits have demonstrated up to today has prepared them to face the duties and obligations of being a KSF member

and that this will accompany them and will be a part of their work and activity throughout the time of their service. Lieutenant

General Rama pointed out that the new KSF recruits have chosen a noble profession and encouraged them to do their best and

continue with their professional and personal development. The recruitment was part of the ministry’s plan to enlist additional

uniformed personnel for the Land Force Command, Rapid Reaction Brigade, Operational Support Brigade, and TRADOC.


Azemina Culum: We want to show that the KSF is an

Institution of Trust

Since October 2009, Azemina Culum has been in charge of the Office of Community Affairs at the Ministry, KSF. “One of our main

goals from the very beginning has been the formation of a multi-ethnic Kosovo Security Force, therefore our work is focused on

ensuring that the KSF reflects ethnic diversity of all the people of Kosovo. The number of KSF members that come from non-

Albanian communities has grown significantly over the years; in 2009 there were only 9 members in the KSF from the various ethnic

communities, while today there are over 200 individuals,” explains Ms. Culum. The Office for Community Affairs has established a

good cooperation with municipalities, especially with the Municipal Community Offices that serve as a link between young people

and the Community Affairs Office during recruitment campaigns. Successful cooperation with municipalities of non-Albanian

communities is being also realised through various community projects; as of the printing of this story, the KSF has implemented

more than 40 infrastructure projects throughout these communities. The biggest motivating factor for Ms. Culum is knowing the

young people here want to live and work in Kosovo. “We offer employment and career development, especially for the Egyptians,

the Romas, and the Ashkali, bearing in mind the various and difficult situations they face within their communities. On the other

hand, the increasing number of various ethnic communities within the KSF cannot be taken as the only indicator of a successful

integration, it is also about the respect of human rights, merit-based promotion, and equal career opportunities,” she says. As it

exists today, of the 2348 active members, more than 200 people are from non-Albanian communities which equates to a ratio of

8.4%. The Serbian community makes up 1.97% of the force, the Bosnian community makes up 1.89%, and the Turkish community

makes up 2.27% of the force. We also have 3 members of the Roma community, 14 members of Ashkali decent, 29 ethnic Egyptian

members, 2 ethnic Gorani members, and 4 members of Croatian decent, all serving in the KSF.


In April Lieutenant Colonel Darren Doherty, from the UK Ministry of Defence, lead a seminar with key personnel from the

KSF on reserve force issue developments in the UK. The seminar initially focused on the history of Army Reserves in the UK.

Discussions were held on how the force developed over the last century up to the present day, talking about the growth of

reserve forces and the challenges that Armed Forces face today. Lieutenant Colonel Doherty provided participants with how

KSF wins KFOR “Slovenian Challenge Cup”

Military Competition

United States European Command Soldiers Provide Explosive Ordnance

Disposal Train The Trainer Instructor Course

On the 8th of October, 14 teams, including a team from the KSF’s 2nd Battalion, Rapid Reaction Brigade, participated in the

traditional military competition known as the “Slovenian Challenge Cup”. The competition, which was organised by the

Slovenian KFOR Contingent, took place at the KFOR Military Camp in Peja, and was conducted in such a way as to promote

the building of individual and collective capacities. All participating teams competed in several disciplines, including navigation,

a 10-kilometer marching, shooting, casualty evaluation and evacuation, car rope towing, and individual first aid. The KSF team

excelled at all testing stations and came out on top as the winner in every discipline and category. Second place went to the

Austrian team and the Slovenian team got the third place. During the awards ceremony, the Deputy Commander of the Land

Forces Command, Brigadier General Gezim Hazrolli, thanked the KFOR contingency for the giving the KSF team an

opportunity to be part of this challenging competition, and as well, for the continuous support that KFOR provides to the KSF.


KSF Young Officers Organize

A Charity Run In Kosovo

On the 4th of October, the historical town of Gjakova saw more than 600 participants from 15 nations, including over 50 people

from KFOR, taking part in a 10 km run for charity. “Run with KSF Gjakova”, a community project designed to raise much needed

funds for local charities, was the idea of Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, the NATO Adviser to KSF Commander. A number of

young, energetic and talented KSF officers enthusiastically made this event happen. As it turned out, the decision to move this

event to another part of Kosovo and not have it be another Pristina-centric event proved a good one. The decision to hold the run

in Gjakova turned out to be well founded with generous support of the Mayor of Gjakova, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, and the excellent

sponsorship from the Devolli Group to purchase t-shirts and other items. The participants and spectators of this fundraising event

enjoyed a beautiful and warm autumn morning. Very athletic Kosovars were the top finishers overall, apart from a KFOR member

from Estonia, Randma Risto, came in with an excellent second place finish. The most important aspect of the event was that more

than $4000 Euro was raised for children’s charities in and around Gjakova, which will be a great benefit to the organisations

working within the Ashkali and the Roma communities. Lieutenant Colonel Jones said “the event was a great success from start to

finish with a fantastic turnout and much needed money raised for Gjakova charities. The young KSF officers did a great job in

making the event happen and it is now planned that ‘Run with KSF’ will become an annual event, taking place in a different town

or city each year”.


KSF Team Observes Exercise Cambrian Patrol

In October, a small KSF contingency travelled to the United Kingdom to observe and to become familiar with the challenges of

the exercise “Cambrian Patrol”. The KSF found it very valuable to visit the Cambrian Patrol exercise, a full year in advance, in

order to learn as much as possible before entering their team. They did the same with the Croatian Best Soldier competition in

2015, which provided a great platform for success in that event too. The “Cambrian Patrol” exercise is an annual, world renowned

International Military “patrolling” competition. The Units that do participate must cover the 80 km course carrying an average of

30 kg per person, and must complete the course in less than 48 hours. All this while performing numerous military challenges

along the route through the difficult and unforgiving terrain of the Cambrian Mountains in Wales. The teams consist of eight

people who get tested on their leadership, self-discipline, physical endurance, determination, and courage. During the KSF team’s

visit they were privileged to receive a VIP tour that showcased the competition from start to finish. This also included an

opportunity to visit the actual course where from a distance they observed the participating teams as they took on the military

challenges. Over their two day visit, the team was able to develop a real appreciation of the overall challenges and was able to gain

a real insider’s view of the event. Captain Kadri Berisha, the proposed KSF team leader for the 2016 Cambrian Patrol event sa id

that “There were teams from over 18 nations, including Australia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, and the

U.S. We were able to learn a lot about the competition during our visit and I feel it was essential in the preparation of the KSF

team that will be participating next year. If we plan to enter a team next year, and we do, then we will need to start the personnel

selection process and the training of our team as soon as possible, as it will no doubt take the next year to properly prepare

ourselves if we are to be successful.”

Documents

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER · 2019. 3. 21. · MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 NOVEMBER security and defence co On both the 21st and