Lt. Col. Thomas Ehrhart, commander, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unfurls the unit’s colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Kosovo, March 7, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval)
By Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval
40th Public Affairs Detachment, Multinational Battle Group – East
CAMP MARÉCHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, Kosovo — Two highly decorated Army units gathered March 7, 2016, to celebrate a transfer of authority ceremony between the 1st Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, and the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The 1st Bn., 252nd Armor Reg., cased its colors, ending a nine-month deployment to Kosovo, and the 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., unfurled its colors to signify the official transfer of authority for the Multinational Battle Group – East’s forward command post in Kosovo.
“This is a great opportunity you don’t get very often,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Ehrhart, commander, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg. “We intend to really get out there and get after it and expand our capabilities through shared experiences with our multinational partners.”
During the nine-month deployment, Task Force Stalwart will work alongside armed forces from Poland, Hungary and Germany, as well as Kosovo security forces in support of maintaining peace in Kosovo.
It’s a task Ehrhart said his team are ready for.
“We are excited to be here and begin this mission,” said Ehrhart. “The culture of Kosovo is unique in the Balkans, and we look forward to immersing ourselves … and learning from the people of Kosovo and our multinational partners as we conduct the mission.”
The Fort Carson Soldiers will conduct peace support operations in support of civil authorities in order to contribute to a secure environment and freedom of movement, and to ensure public safety and order in Kosovo by enforcing the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
U.S. and NATO forces have contributed to the United Nations-mandated peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since June 1999.