Camp Nothing Hill now responsibility of U.S. troops after Turkish handover
LEPOSAVIC, Kosovo — U.S. soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East and the Turkish contingent salute the changing of flags during the Hand Over/Take Over (HOTO) ceremony April 26. The U.S. soldiers will have responsibility of Camp Nothing Hill for about a month. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Drew Balstad)
LEPOSAVIC, Kosovo — Turkish army forces turned over security responsibilities at Camp Nothing Hill to U.S. soldiers of Multinational Battle Group East during a hand-over, take-over ceremony April 26.
The U.S. soldiers are scheduled to spend the next four weeks at Camp Nothing Hill. They have taken over responsibilities as the area’s quick reaction force, a unit capable of responding to a situation in less than an hour. The U.S. soldiers will also conduct patrols in neighboring cities and the surrounding area.
"We did some useful training at Camp Atterbury which helped us with this mission," said Army 1st Sgt. Christopher Rath, of Cummings, N.D., "We are definitely prepared and looking forward to this opportunity."
Rath said the transition with the Turkish soldiers went smoothly and he has confidence in the U.S. contingent’s ability to accomplish their duties, working well with multinational partners.
"We are excited about this mission," said Army 1st Lt. Jarrod Simek, Dickinson, N.D., commander of the U.S. contingent at Nothing Hill. Simek said his soldiers have had plenty of good training on scenarios, such as crowd and riot control and force protection. He said his soldiers also act as a third responder in the rare event of any hostile actions.
NATO Kosovo Force units rotate to Camp Nothing Hill at regular intervals to support security in northern Kosovo. Hungarian forces are scheduled to relieve the U.S. soldiers on the next rotation.
"I am really proud of the soldiers at Camp Nothing Hill," said Simek’s boss, Army Lt. Col. Lee Nordin, of Grand Forks, N.D., "They have done a great job on every mission and I have every reason to believe they will be just as successful in completing this one."
Also in attendance at the ceremony was Army Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, of Bismarck, N.D., Commander of MNBG-E, Army Col. Robert Fode, of Bismarck, N.D., Deputy Commander-Maneuver for MNBG-E, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jack W. Cripe, of Dickinson, N.D., MNBG-E’s top enlisted soldier.
Multinational Battle Group East is a U.S.- led unit, commanded by Army Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 1,200 soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine) and Turkey. The charter mission of MNBE is maintaining a safe and secure environment and providing freedom of movement for the people in Kosovo.
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