Dozens of Iowa National Guard Soldiers will Depart for Kosovo on Friday, as part of an Alliance and New North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Peacekeeping Mission.
NATO has been a Vocal Critic of Russia's efforts in Ukraine since the War there began on February 24th, 2022, drawing the ire of Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and leading to various Threats throughout the 22-month Campaign.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said just before Christmas, that the efforts of NATO and Western Allies have led to a "big strategic defeat" for Russia, adding that Russia "has lost Ukraine forever." The U.S. has provided more aid to Ukraine than any NATO Member, though the War continues to be a Stalemate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in October, that Putin could be seeking a Diversion from His Military Directive to the Balkans, where that month a Gun Battle between Kosovo and Serbian Representatives led to the U.S. warning of rising Tensions and Violence in the Region.
Thirty-Three Iowa Guardsmen, part of Detachment 1, Company C (Medevac), 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, will Deploy on December 29th for a Nine-month Tour. The U.S. has an Embassy in the City of Pristina.
The Primary Goal is to conduct Live Aerial Medevac Operations, Refueling, and Maintenance Support for the U.S., Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), and the Coalition that has developed between both Entities over more than a Decade.
The Partnership went into effect on March 11th, 2011, about Three years after Kosovo declared its Independence from Serbia, and became Recognized by the U.S. as an Independent and Sovereign Country. Kosovo was previously a Province of Yugoslavia.
Deliberations for a Formal, Long-Term Partnership began in March 2011, some Eight years after Iowa Soldiers had already been aiding Kosovo's Peacekeeping efforts.
In August 2023, a 13-Member Delegation from the Southeastern European Nation visited Iowa for Four days and Met with then-Governor Terry Branstad, toured Military Facilities at Camp Dodge, talked with Iowa State University Officials in Ames, Consulted with State Health and Agricultural Leaders, and Visited the Iowa State Fair.
As part of an invitation by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) and Major General Stephen Osborn, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Vjosa Osmani, the President of Kosovo, visited Iowa's Camp Dodge in October, to discuss topics including: Global Security and Strengthening the National Guard's Military-to-Military Training. Reynolds and Osborn visited Kosovo in June.
"Partnerships such as this one are the best example of what visionary leadership can do," Osmani said. "Our partnership grows stronger by the day as we expand our cooperation in all areas of common and strategic interest, such as defense, agriculture, tourism and energy."
It was Her First visit to Iowa since being Elected in 2021, and the First time a President of Kosovo had visited with the Iowa National Guard Stateside since 2012.
The U.S. Air National Guard said in a Report that Iowa Guardsmen "made significant efforts to build ties" with the KSF in 2024, including Iowa Airmen traveling to Kosovo in April, for a lLrge-Scale Medical Training exercise.
In November, Osborn spoke in Des Moines as part of an End-of-Mission Farewell Event honoring Artan Duraku, Head of the Mission of the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo. Osborn called Duraku "a key component of the strong relationship" between the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo.
This month, Kosovo Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci met with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R), whom He referred to as "a great friend of Kosovo in the Senate and a big supporter of the Security Force." The Pair discussed Bilateral Relations and a path forward for NATO Integration.
Friday morning's Ceremony will be at the Waterloo Airport Army Aviation Support Facility, where a Military Aircraft will depart to Fort Cavazos, Texas, to complete Pre-Mobilization Training prior to heading to Kosovo.
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