Left to Right: HE Alejandro Alvargonzález San Martín and COMEUFOR review the medal parade.

On 27th September 2010 the Spanish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E Alejandro Alvargonzález San Martín attended a medal parade to honour those who have served in the mission. The majority of those receiving medals were Spanish who are nearing the end of their contribution to EUFOR in BiH.
COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, thanked all those who received their medals, telling them that they could be proud of their hard work, their professionalism and their contribution to the country.

Chief Press Officer:  
Lt Col Knut Scheutz.
00387 (0)33 49 5214
00387 (0)61 131 579

Spokesman:   
Lt Cdr Andy Mullins RN 
00387 (0)33 49 5216
00387 (0)61 177 943
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Left to Right: Outgoing COS Brigadier General Bischof receiving his Operation ALTHEA medal from COM EUFOR. In background is new COS Brigadier General Giesa.

On 17th September 2010, COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair presided over a ceremony to mark the Hand Over / Take Over of his Chief of Staff. The majority of those employed in the EUFOR HQ, along with a number of guests from the NATO HQ Sarajevo, formed up outside the HQ building to witness Brigadier General Bischof handover the important position to Brigadier General Giesa.

Read more: Handover of Chief of Staff

On 15 September 2010 Lieutenant General Glatz, Chief Joint Operations Command, handed over command of the German Deployed Contingent from Brigadier General Bischof to Brigadier General Giesa.
During the ceremony in the Helicopter Hangar of Camp Butmir, Lieutenant General Glatz contemplated the successful past and future cooperation of the European forces within the EUFOR Althea mission. The outgoing Chief of Staff, General BISCHOF, looked back on almost seven months full mutual assistance and fulfilling duty. He addressed the German soldiers and thanked them for their consistent professionalism. The ceremony was accompanied by music from the Bosnian Music-Corps.

COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bisschof, awarding a medal.

On 31st August 2010, contingents from several EUFOR nations paraded for their EUFOR Operation ALTHEA medals.

COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof presented the medals. COS EUFOR praised the professionalism, loyalty and commitment of all the soldiers and thanked them for a job well done.

On 23rd August 2010, the 17th German EUFOR contingent held its Medal Parade near Camp Butmir’s “Echoes CJ 10”. 75 soldiers were decorated for their service here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof, who is also the Commander of the German contingent, stated during his speech: “It is the International Community’s distinguished ambition to prevent the return of violence to this area. Just by serving as a soldier in Camp Butmir we give the people the justified feeling of security.”

Read more: German Medal Parade

Lt Col Richard Gruber taking over the flag from COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof.

On 18th August 2010 the Change of Command (CoC) ceremony of the Austrian National Element and the Regional Coordination Center (RCC) 4 took place in Tuzla in the presence of COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof and the Austrian National Contingent Commander, Colonel Johann Lattacher. Austria was also represented by Mag. Brigitte Pfriemer, Chargé d’Affaires of the Austrian Embassy in BiH.

Read more: Change of Command Ceremony in Tuzla