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

His Excellency Mr André Schaller, COM EUFOR

On 22nd November 2010, EUFOR was visited by the Swiss Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr André Schaller, where he was hosted by COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair.  This was the Ambassador’s first visit to EUFOR since taking up his appointment.

Read more: Visit of Swiss Ambassador to EUFOR

LOT Crew Banja Luka with COS EUFOR

On 20th November 2010, COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Günter Giesa, visited two Liaison and Observation Teams (LOT) houses in the Area of Responsibility of Regional Coordination Center (RCC) West. The Romanian LOT houses in Cazin and Banja Luka in the northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina were on his schedule.

Following the introduction to the personnel and a look at the facilities he received a short briefing on the local situation. The visit ended after a short tour of the operational area and Brigadier General Giesa thanked the LOT house teams for their excellent preparation and hospitality.

EUFOR Troops on Parade.

On 18th November 2010, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of Operation Althea and NATO HQ Sarajevo for a further 12 months. COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, said “We will continue to work closely with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure a safe environment for the peoples of the country.” 

Following the peaceful conduct of the recent General Election EUFOR has undertaken a planned reduction in forces with approx 1,600 troops from 27 EU and non-EU nations now stationed in the country.  Under UN Security Council Resolution 1948 (2010) the mission retains its executive function and is able to deploy considerable reserve forces to the area at short notice, a facility that will shortly be rehearsed again. 

COM EUFOR said “I also look forward to continuing the Training and Capacity Building that we have started with the Armed Forces of BiH since July 2010.”  This is the only notable change to the mission and mandate of Operation Althea under the new UN mandate.

Read more: UN Security Council Extends EUFOR Mandate

DCOM EUFOR (right) being briefed by OR-6 Schwendtbauer on vehicle drills

All troops serving with EUFOR undergo Mine Awareness training to reduce the dangers of death and injury whilst in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This complements training received in their own countries and ensures that all EUFOR troops work to a common procedure.

Read more: EUFOR Soldiers Train For Mine Risk

COMEUFOR (centre) with members of the Military Diplomatic Corps

On the 10th of November, members of the Military Diplomatic Corps from 13 Nations represented in Sarajevo visited the EUFOR HQ. COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, personally welcomed the delegation and afterwards COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Günter Giesa, briefed the delegation on EUFOR’s mission and tasks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.