Monthly Archives: November 2023

SPECIAL EDITION INTERVIEW WITH U.S ARMY, National Guard in NATO-KFOR REGIONAL COMMAND EAST (SERIES-4)

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Special Edition Interview with Col. Ross Walker, KFOR Regional Command-East and TF Texans Commander, conducted by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt

Sir, we are honored to have this special occasion with you. Thank you for your time.  

Q 1: Could you give us the overview of the current U.S Army, the National Guard, and the European troops contingents posture in KFOR Regional Command East ? 

Col. Ross Walker: Regional Command-East is headquartered by the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Texas National Guard. We are fortunate to also have with us a Maneuver Battalion element from the Texas National Guard, an Aviation Battalion from the Rhode Island National Guard, a Medical Detachment from the South Carolina National Guard, a Military Police element from the Alabama National Guard and a Public Affairs Detachment also from the Rhode Island National Guard. As Regional Command – East, we stay ready to support KFOR objectives throughout our region in order to maintain a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo and freedom of movement for lines of communication throughout our area of responsibility.

Q 2: Are there any new measures that the Army, and NG have added to KFOR RC- East in the recent months to bolster NATO’s Kosovo Force? 

Col. Ross Walker:  NATO has increased KFOR and RC-East with the Operational Reserve Force and the Strategic Reserve Force to assist with ensuring we maintain a safe and secure environment for all people within Kosovo. The Operational Reserve Force is a multi-national battalion with forces from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania. The Strategic Reserve Force is led by the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment out the United Kingdom. We are fortunate to serve alongside service members from more than 11 nations here in Regional Command East. Our current US force contribution remains unchanged.

Q 3: The 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard arrived in Kosovo on August 6th this summer. What specific tasks are they assigned? And how do you see the importance of their roles and contributions to KFOR mission? 

Col. Ross Walker: Our aviation task force is a great contributor to not only RC-East but all the Kosovo Force. Their major tasks are to provide troop movements, aerial resupplies and most importantly, medical evacuation wherever needed across KFOR. This task force is made of well-trained and well-equipped service members from the Rhode Island National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment and they have been supporting operations here in Regional Command East since June of 2023.

Q 4: The U.S Armed Forces have a traditional military culture of working with allies and partners. As the Commander of the NATO KFOR Regional Command-East, can you share with us your experience and views on the aspect of being part of multinational military NATO-led peacekeeping operation? 

Col. Ross Walker: It has been an honor and privilege to work with all contributing partners here in Kosovo. As a National Guardsman, it is rare to lead and work alongside so many partnered nations.  I have been amazed daily at their teamwork, dedication, and technical / tactical capabilities. This opportunity has been the highlight of my deployment.

Acknowledgments: Image-1 Major General Ristuccia, Commander of the KFOR, presided over the ceremony of the Transfer of authority of KFOR Regional Command-East between Col. Chris M. Mabis and Col. Kenneth Ross Walker in an official ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, June 30.2023.Image by Sgt. Gauret Stearns ©KFOR RC East/ KFOR/ DoD.  Image-2 U.S Soldiers assigned to the KFOR Regional Command-East conducted their annual airborne training near Polac, in the South Mitrovica municipality, August 2023 ©KFOR/ KFOR  Regional Command East/ DoD/ National Guard/U.S Army. The Interview is subject to Copyright Law © KFOR  Regional Command East/U.S Army/National Guard/ KFOR/ U.S. Army Europe and Africa / U.S Army NATO/ U.S Europe World Affairs.