US Colonel Jabari Miller, who has taken command of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) Regional Command-East, said American troops were prepared to work alongside NATO allies and partners to maintain a safe and stable environment in Kosovo.
“Our soldiers are physically fit, motivated, disciplined, trained and ready to work together with our NATO allies and partners to maintain a safe and stable environment in Kosovo,” Miller told the military publication Stars and Stripes.
The change of command followed the deployment of US troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and supporting units of the 1st Infantry Division, which is based in Germany.
According to the US Army Europe and Africa, the handover took place on Monday during a ceremony at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.
The active-duty US troops took over command from the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade. The move marks the return of active-duty American forces to leadership of Regional Command-East for the first time since September 2014.
Command spokesperson Staff Sergeant Hunter Tate said the leadership change was made in response to “current force availability and mission requirements.”
The transition comes amid plans for reductions in KFOR troop levels as the mission adapts its military presence to what has been described as an improving security situation in Kosovo.
KFOR, the NATO-led international force, continues to carry out its mandate to help maintain a safe and secure environment across Kosovo.
