News
24th Slovenian Contingent assumes tasks in Kosovo
On Thursday, 29 September, a ceremony took place at camp Villagio Italia near Peć, Kosovo, marking the transfer of duty between 23rd and 24th KFOR contingents of the Slovenian Armed Forces, engaged in operation Joint Enterprise in Kosovo.
The hitherto commander of the 23rd Contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Einfalt, handed over his duty as Slovenian Contingent Commander and Deputy Commander, Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W) to Commander of the 24th Contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Franc Kalič.
In his address, Lieutenant Colonel Einfalt thanked members of the 23rd Contingent for their contributions to the Contingent’s work and their expertise and professionalism in the accomplishment of tasks. According to Lieutenant Colonel Einfalt, the contingent credibly worked to justify the KFOR motto “Together for Progress” mainly due to the coordinated team effort, which he considered crucial for success. Lieutenant Colonel Franc Kalič expressed his conviction that, under his leadership, the 24th Contingent would perform its mission with flying colours and return from a six-month mission decorated with pride in a job well done.
The ceremony was attended by Commander, MNBG-W Colonel Vincenzo Cipullo and KFOR Deputy Commander Brigadier Johann Luif. The latter commended the professionalism of the Slovenian Armed and thanked members of the 23rd Slovenian Contingent for their good cooperation in the attaining of mutual goals of the Alliance. The guests at the ceremony also included the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Kosovo, His Excellence Jožef Hlep, who passed greetings and congratulations of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Turk to contingent members and wished all service members a lot of luck in the successful implementation of tasks which will reinforce the recognisability and the already built reputation of the Slovenian Armed Forces in Kosovo.
The 24th SAF Contingent includes 300 service members from different units. The tasks of the contingent remain unchanged and include the maintaining of a secure and stable environment, provision of conditions for the transfer of duties to civilian authorities as well as the protection of facilities of special importance, such as the Peć patriarchy.
The Contingent’s main body is composed of two manoeuvre companies organic to the 18th Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Battalion and the 10th Motorised Battalion respectively, including members of the voluntary contracted reserve. The parts of the contingent also include members of the Logistic Platoon, five Monitoring and Liaison Teams, a Helicopter Squad and National Support Element. Some service members perform their duties at KFOR Headquarters in Priština and some at Regional Command – West in Peć. Members of the Slovenian Armed Forces will perform their tasks in the municipalities of Peć, Klina, Istok, Vućitrn, Leposavić, Skenderaj and Priština.
