Major General Heidecker and COM EUFOR.

The 1^st December 2010 witnessed the Change of Command of the Austrian contingent within EUFOR where Colonel (GS) Johann Lattacher handed over the leadership of the national contingent to Colonel (GS) Klaus Jenschik.

Major General Dieter Heidecker, Deputy Commander of Austrian Joint Forces, presided over the event attended by a number of honoured guests, including Lieutenant General Leandro de Vincenti (Head of EU Command Element, Chief of Staff of Joint Force Command in Naples), COM EUFOR Major General Bernhard Bair and Ambassador Dr. Donatus Köck (Austrian Ambassador to BiH). 

Read more: Austrian Contingent Change of Command

Polish Company Commander Receives Polish Colours from MNBN.

On 30^th November 2010, a ceremony was held to mark the formal end of the Polish contribution to the Multinational Battalion (MNBN). The Company of Polish troops had previously extended their tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina to allow time for the new Austrian leadership of the Battalion to be established.

COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, welcomed Lt Gen Gruszka (the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces) to Camp Butmir to witness the ceremony and thanked Poland for their strong, continuing support to the EUFOR mission in BiH.

Read more: Polish Troops in Multinational Battalion Released

EUFOR COS, Colonel ŽURMAN, COMEUFOR, Colonel Gulyas (Outgoing NATO HQSa COS)

On 25th November Major General Bernhard Bair, COMEUFOR, welcomed the new Chief of Staff for NATO HQ Sarajevo, during an Office Call.  Colonel Milan ŽURMAN, from the Slovenian Armed Forces, has recently taken up his post in the HQ and was fully briefed by COMEUFOR on all aspects of the OP Althea mission.

His Excellency Mr Roland Gilles, COM EUFOR

On 25th November EUFOR was visited by the French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Roland Gilles, where he was hosted by COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair.  This was his first official visit since becoming Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina although he has visited EUFOR for other events.

Read more: His Excellency Mr Roland Gilles, COM EUFOR

EUFOR Cup Winning Team

Today, 24th November 2010 saw the climax of the 2010 EUFOR Cup where 192 entries were reduced to one winning team when Banovići Primary School won the final. After a close match that saw them beat Mustafa Ejubović Šejh Primary School 2-1 they claimed their prize and chose to visit Tottenham Hotspur in London. Mustafa Ejubović Šejh, from Mostar, will visit FC Wolfsburg as a reward for their efforts.

Read more: Banovići Primary School Win EUFOR Cup 2010

Lt Col Willemse hands over EU Flag to Lt Col Blasch.

The 24^th November 2010 saw the change of Command of the Regional Coordination Centre (RCC) East at Camp Edelweiß in Tuzla.  Lt Col Richard Gruber handed over the command of the seven Liaioson and Observation Teams (LOT) houses in the area, and their support, to Lt Col Christoph Blasch. Both officers are from Austria.

The LOT houses are the eyes and ears of EUFOR around Bosnia and Herzegovina and an important aspect of maintain an awareness of the security situation in the country. The location of the LOT houses can be found on the EUFOR website here.

Read more: Change of Command of Regional Coordination Centre East