U.S. Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East were tested on their Quick Reaction Force skills during a validation exercise, Jan. 7.

Being deployed presents many challenges for Soldiers. One Soldier from Multinational Battle Group East has found a way to continue to enjoy one of his favorite activities, even while deployed to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission here.

Spc. Carlos Ruiz, Gurabo, Puerto Rico, an infantryman with A Company, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Division, Multinational Battle Group East, cycles near the perimeter of Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo Dec. 2. Ruiz regularly competes in triathlons and mountain bike races while at home in Puerto Rico. He continues to train for them while deployed to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission here.

Spc. Carlos Ruiz, Gurabo, Puerto Rico, an infantryman with A Company, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Division, Multinational Battle Group East, climbs a hill while cycling near the perimeter of Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo Dec. 2. Ruiz regularly competes in triathlons and mountain bike races while at home in Puerto Rico. He continues to train for them while deployed to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission here.

Spc. Carlos Ruiz, an infantryman with A Company, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment, crests a hill during a mountain bike race in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, May 31, 2009. Ruiz, a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard, competes in triathlons and mountain bike races while home in Puerto Rico. He is currently deployed in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping in Kosovo, but continues to train for these events while in Kosovo. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Carlos Ruiz, Puerto Rico National Guard)

Spc. Carlos Ruiz, an infantryman with A Company, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment, rounds a bend during a mountain bike race in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, May 31, 2009. Ruiz, a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard, competes in triathlons and mountain bike races while home in Puerto Rico. He is currently deployed in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping in Kosovo, but continues to train for these events while in Kosovo.

A Soldier from A Company, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment, Multinational Battle Group East, Puerto Rico National Guard, plays an injured rioter and is carried away by members of the Kosovo Tactical Maunuver element during a Crowd and Riot Control training exercise, Nov. 17. The exercise was held to help familiarize Multinational Battle Group East with the tactical techniques and procedures of the KTM.

Dozens of children from the Kamenica/Kamenice municipality rode off on bicycles to start of a day of events with U.S. Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East, Nov. 7.

During their time in the military most service members will become familiar with a specific group of weapons, and fire these same weapons year after year, to maintain and improve their marksmanship skills with these weapons.

Greek soldiers from Multinational Battle Group North relinquished security duties at Camp Nothing Hill to Polish and U.S. Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East during a ceremony here, Oct. 11.

A vehicle carrying troops from Multinational Battle Group East loses control and strikes a telephone pole. A radio transmission requesting aid is sent. With a motorized whine and a spray of dust and dirt, two UH-60 Blackhawks touchdown in an empty field, the doors are thrown open and Armenian soldiers pour out. The Quick Reaction Force has arrived.

Portuguese Army Brig. Gen. Marco Serronha, deputy commander, Kosovo Forces, visited Camp Bondsteel and a few of the municipalities within the area of operation for Multinational Battle Group East, Sept. 14.

A giggle ripples through the air, reverberating around the schoolyard. Children run across the yard to the fence that surrounds their school. They smile up at the group of U.S. Soldiers walking toward them. Curious little faces beam up at these Soldiers.

Multinational Battle Group East Soldiers joined their Kosovo Forces partners from Austria, Italy and Poland to assist members of the Kosovo Security Forces during an inspection of a battery factory in Gjilan/Gnjilane, Kosovo, recently.

Col. Francisco J. Neuman, commander, Multinational Battle Group East, Kosovo Forces, joined Bajrush Ymeri, mayor of Novoberde/Novo Brdo, Kosovo, and Jahir Syla, director of Asdreni school, Sept. 2, for a ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the renovations to the school and new sports field.

National Guard Soldiers from half the world away are working with a local Red Cross to bring this family, and many others like it, the vitamins, soap, toothpaste and other personal hygiene products they require in order to improve their living conditions.

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The adjutant generals of the Puerto Rican National Guard and North Dakota National Guard visit Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo July 24.

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kososvo — U.S. Army Col. Victor Torres led about a dozen soldiers from the Puerto Rico based 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade on a visit here.