Soldiers from the California Army National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) successfully completed a Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) on Feb. 12 at Camp McGregor, New Mexico, in preparation for a nine-month security and stabilization mission in Kosovo.
On Jan. 23, the Soldiers from Headquarter and Headquarters Company (HHC), 79th IBCT, arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, where they completed finance, medical, and dental processing. They then headed 30 miles north to Camp McGregor, where they conducted Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) training, a staff exercise (STAFFEX), and the MRX, which simulated the duties and roles they would perform as a brigade staff once in Kosovo.
“This is a great training opportunity for the Brigade to prepare and train for peace support operations in Kosovo,” said MAJ Edwin Rodriguez, the brigade operations officer. “The training at Camp McGregor enables the brigade staff to shape and establish common operating procedures typically found among multinational staffs in Kosovo.”
The training at Camp McGregor was conducted by the 5th Armored Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, also known as Task Force Warhawg, commanded by LTC Rob Paolucci.
“Task Force Warhawg trains and validates post-mobilized National Guard and Reserve units across the armed forces in preparation for worldwide deployment,” LTC Paolucci said. “The purpose of the MRX was to train and prepare the 79th for a final validation exercise at JMRC (Joint Multinational Readiness Center) at Hohenfels, Germany.”
LTC Paolucci said the 79th came together as a brigade staff during the MRX and is well positioned to successfully complete the validation exercise at JMRC and then take on the role of the command element for Multinational Battle Group — East (MNBG-E) in Kosovo.
MNBG-E is a composite brigade, consisting of Army National Guard, active duty and Reserve elements, as well as units from several NATO-member nations.
“This is a peacekeeping operation,” LTC Paolucci said of the mission in Kosovo. “We are there at the request of the government of Kosovo to assist in providing a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout their country.”
After completing its training at Camp McGregor, the 79th headed for Hohenfels and the final validation exercise. Once the validation exercise was completed in March, the 79th left for Kosovo and relieved the 39th IBCT of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
“This mission is important in ensuring that peace is maintained in the Balkans,” said COL Nick Ducich, commander of 79th IBCT. “Our Soldiers are well trained professionals [who are ready] to assist the institutions of Kosovo toward stability and sustainability while strengthening our enduring relationships with allies and partners.”
The Army National Guard has been a major contributor of troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission, which is the longest peacekeeping mission in NATO history. California Army National Guard Soldiers have participated in several KFOR rotations. The 79th IBCT will be part of the 24th rotation of U.S. troops into Kosovo.
BY CPT Jason Sweeney, California Army National Guard
