COMEUFOR with Lt Colonel Spanish Marines Angel Herrezuelo Pérez, new MNBN Commander

On 9th August 2010 COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, presided over a change of command ceremony in the central esplanade at Camp Butmir to mark the handover of command within the Multinational Battalion (MNBN).
Lt Col José M. Estévez Payeras handed over command to Lt Colonel Spanish Marines Angel Herrezuelo Pérez, after nearly four months in command.
The parade consisted of troops from the Multinational Battalion. Major General Bair, COM EUFOR, awarded Lt Col José M. Estévez Payeras with the ALTHEA Peace Mission Medal and commented on his professionalism and dedication. He welcomed the new MNBN Commander and wished him all the best.

From left to right: Lt Col José M. Estévez Payeras, COM EUFOR Major General Bernhard Bair and Lt Colonel Angel Herrezuelo Pérez

The MNBN mission is to be prepared to conduct operations autonomously or in support of the BiH authorities or European Union/International Community agencies in Theatre when requested, in order to maintain a safe and security environment (SASE). It is the only military Maneuver unit operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). As a secondary mission, the MNBN may be required to reinforce the troops in Kosovo if required.

Honor guard paraded for the Minister.

On 20^th July 2010, Mag. Norbert Darabos, Austrian Minister of Defence and Sports, visited EUFOR HQ in Sarajevo. The Minister was welcomed to Camp Butmir by a guard of honour and called on the office of COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair. Discussions focussed on the formation of EUFOR’s Capacity Building and Training Division (CBTD) and opportunities to develop further the co-operation between EUFOR and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof, together with the Austrian National Contingent Commander and Chief of Joint Military Affairs (JMA), Colonel Lattacher, completed the briefing with an overview of EUFOR tasks and capabilities.

The COS was able to thank Minister Darabos for the recent reinforcement of the Austrian contingent and for the absolute professionalism of the Austrian soldiers and airmen.

Read more: Visit of Austrian Minister of Defence from 20th - 22nd July

On 28^th June 2010, soldiers from the German, Italian, Netherlands, Romanian and Slovakian contingents paraded for their EUFOR OPERATION ALTHEA medals.

COS EUFOR, Brigadier General Gerd Bischof presided over the ceremony and praised the professionalism, loyalty and commitment of the parading soldiers and thanked them for a job well done.

On 18th June, COM EUFOR Maj General Bernhard Bair, in a ceremony to mark the withdrawal of the Spanish contingent, presented OPERATION ALTHEA medals to soldiers of the whose contribution to the EUFOR Bosnia and Herzegovina mission is complete.

Read more: Medal Parade to Mark the Withdrawal of The Spanish Contingent

On 11th June, 37 Bosnian Mines Risk Education, (MRE) Instructors were awarded certificates at an official ceremony for completing their 5 day training course at Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. The new instructors are now fully qualified to visit schools and community organizations in order to explain how to stay safe from the menace of mines and unexploded munitions. This takes the total number of EUFOR MRE instructors to 48.

Read more: Mines Risk Education Instructors Awarded at Camp Butmir

On 9th June 2010, Brigadier General Norbert GEHART, Head of MoD Logistic Planning and Coordination Division, Austrian Army, visited EUFOR HQ, Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. During the office call with COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard BAIR, the two officers discussed a range of topics that included the contribution of the Austrian contingent to the EUFOR Operation ALTHEA mission.