Story by NHQSa PAO
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - In a transfer of authority ceremony held on Camp Butmir, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 27 June, the outgoing NATO Headquarters Sarajevo Commander, U.S. Army Brigadier General Giselle Wilz, concluded her two-year term having passed the colours to U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Robert A. Huston.
The ceremony was hosted by Admiral Michelle Howard, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
In her farewell speech, Wilz emphasised that many challenges lie ahead for BiH, but she remains as optimistic today as she was when she assumed her office 25 months ago as she witnessed over the course of her term that the citizens of BiH demand a prosperous future.
Wilz said, "The Armed Forces Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be the model for the country, while admittingly some areas have lagged behind, there has been significant progress and movement forward in others. The completion of Defence Review puts Bosnia and Herzegovina in a place to move forward, to build the new house, rather than patching the old.”
The incoming commander, Huston said he looks forward to building on the solid foundation created in the NHQSa, and that he will devote additional efforts to supporting the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and working alongside the members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure that we maintain a safe and secure environment, one that will provide a stable platform for the economic prosperity.
At the same event, outgoing Deputy Commander, Norwegian Navy Captain Lars Arne Aulie, was succeeded by Norwegian Navy Captain Helge Tonning.