News
A solemn line-up before the deployment of the 24th Slovenian Contingent to Kosovo
On 15 September, a ceremony took place at the Kranj Military Post, marking the departure of members of the 24th SAF Contingent to a six-month mission in the international operation KFOR in Kosovo. The ceremony was attended by many relatives of contingent members.
The contingent, which includes 300 members of different SAF units together with 15 members of the voluntary contracted reserve will assume duties at the end of this month. The participants were addressed by SAF Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier Andrej Osterman.
Brigadier Osterman said that comprehensive and good preparations of all contingent members prior to deployment were one of the most important factors impacting the security of operations. He added that the contingent which would be deployed to Kosovo possessed the necessary knowledge, skills and motivation for the accomplishment of its mission. He also stressed that the mission of the Slovenian Contingent was to contribute to peace, security and stability in Kosovo as well as to support the efforts of the international community. Despite a reduced military presence, the tasks of the Slovenian Contingent remain unchanged, namely to provide a secure environment and freedom of movement as well as to provide the conditions for the transfer of responsibilities to civilian authorities. This means that, sometimes, the same amount of work will have to be accomplished with less manpower.
The main body of the 24th SAF contingent includes two manoeuvre companies organic to the 18th Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Battalion and the 10th Motorised Battalion, which also includes members of the voluntary contracted reserve. The contingent also includes a Logistics Platoon, five Liaison and Monitoring Teams, a Helicopter Squad and a National Support Element. The Contingent’s main body will be stationed at camp Villagio Italia near Peć in western Kosovo.
