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KOSOVO FORCES HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OF STAFF (COS) TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY

On June 24th 2014, COMKFOR, Major General Salvatore FARINA, presided over the farewell ceremony in Camp Film City, Pristina, to mark the transfer of responsibility for the Kosovo Forces Headquarters Chief of Staff (COS) from United States (US) Army Brigadier General General David N. Aycock to United States (US) Army Brigadier General Michael L. Scholes.

Major General Salvatore FARINA, and Mrs Tracey Ann Jacobson, USA Ambassador in Kosovo attended the ceremony.

General Aycock had served as the KFOR COS for the past year, while General. Scholes takes responsibility after serving as the Director of operations, Training, Readiness and Exercises (J3), Joint Task Force Civil Support in the US North Command (USNORTHCOM), Fort Eustis, Virginia.

During the transfer of responsibility ceremony Major General FARINA, praised General Aycock’s ability to perform his duties in a complex and demanding environment.

"I personally thank you for your outstanding professionalism, your exceptional leadership and your ability to shape a cohesive staff of over 400 military and civilian personnel drawn from 31 nations, you have been the right man in the right place to assist me in moving MORE TOGETHER.” said COM KFOR.

COM KFOR awarded General Aycock with the KFOR NATO "non-article five” Peace Mission Medal and praised his high professionalism.

General Aycock gave credit to the soldiers and civilians working on the KFOR staff. He also highlighted the importance of all the multinational partners that make up KFOR, "There have been 31 countries that have been contributing to the safe and secure environment in KOSOVO, and each of them learning from each other on how each country’s social, military and political machines operate doctrinally, KFOR was a rare opportunity and a great learning experience”.

In COM KFOR’s remarks to General Scholes, he congratulated him as the new KFOR COS and said "Today marks the beginning of your tour here in Kosovo but also the reminder of a very challenging assignment in a time of significant development throughout Kosovo”.

Concluding his speech General FARINA thanked all the multinational staff of KFOR HQ praised the efforts and the contribution given to the NATO mission in KOSOVO.