An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

National GuardAlways Ready Always There

National Guard

                - 

Search

Search
Search

-  Home		 
-  News    -  Guard News         
  -  Overseas Operations         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  News Features         
  -  RSS Feeds         
  -  Press Releases         
  -  Transcripts 
-  Features    -  Features by Year         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  Special Features 
-  About the Guard    -  How We Began         
  -  Air National Guard         
  -  Army National Guard      -  DEERS Soldier Journey         
    -  Leader Development Program 
  -  History and Heritage         
  -  I am the Guard         
  -  NGB Official March 
-  Leadership    -  CNGB         
  -  VCNGB         
  -  SEA         
  -  DANG         
  -  DARNG         
  -  Joint Staff      -  J-1         
    -  J-2         
    -  J-3         
    -  J-4         
    -  J-5         
    -  J-6         
    -  J-7         
    -  J-8         
    -  Personal Staff        -  Inspector General         
      -  General Counsel          -  Special Victims Counsel 
      -  Public Affairs         
      -  Executive Support Services         
      -  Legislative Liaison 
    -  Special Staff        -  Office of the Provost Marshal         
      -  Office of the Joint Surgeon         
      -  Director of Acquisitions         
      -  Small Business Programs         
      -  Chaplain         
      -  Senior Leader Management Office         
      -  Diversity Equity Inclusion 
    -  Comptroller 
-  Resources    -  National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance         
  -  Community Engagement         
  -  FOIA         
  -  Fact Sheets         
  -  Helpful Links         
  -  Image Gallery      -  News Images         
    -  Graphics         
    -  Historical Paintings 
  -  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion         
  -  Legislative Liaison         
  -  Small Business Programs         
  -  Social Media         
  -  State Websites         
  -  Videos      -  Featured Videos         
    -  On Every Front         
    -  2019 Videos         
    -  2020 Videos         
    -  2021 Videos 
  -  Suicide Prevention         
  -  Family Programs         
  -  Environmental         
  -  Trial Defense Service         
  -  Holistic Wellness Challenge 
-  Contact Us		 

Home : Features : 2011 : Support to Kosovo

## McKinley gives praise, admiration to Guard members in Kosovo

By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Anna DooNew Mexico National Guard

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo (10/25/11) - Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief   of the National Guard Bureau, visited Soldiers and Airmen stationed in Kosovo   who are part of Multinational Battle Group East, Kosovo Forces 14 deployment in   support of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission here, Oct. 24.

McKinley, along with the adjutants general from Maryland and New Mexico, and   senior enlisted personnel from NGB and the two states, spent the day touring   multiple locations where U.S. personnel are stationed.

At Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, a forward command post, personnel showed McKinley   the operations cell as well as the truly multinational aspect of the operation.   The group consists of Moroccan, French, German and U.S. Soldiers working   together.

After touring Kosovo with Task Force Aviation in UH-60 Black Hawk   helicopters, McKinley hosted a question and answer session with more than 300   Soldiers stationed at Camp Bondsteel, and he began the meeting by commenting on   the professionalism of the Soldiers stationed in Kosovo during the recent unrest   that has reshaped the deployment.

"I wanted to come today so you could hear my words of thanks, my words of   appreciation and admiration," McKinley said. "My admirations to you all for your   discipline and your restraint at that moment in September, no matter whether you   were here supporting the force or you were actually at Gate 1, the Soldiers   represented by this KFOR mission did a magnificent job."

News of the unrest in northern Kosovo and the professional response of U.S.   forces reached the secretary of defense and the U.S. president, said McKinley.   He went on to say they were all pleased with the manner in which the Soldiers   reacted and voiced their support of KFOR's efforts of de-escalating tensions and   threats to the security situation. 

Before McKinley opened the floor for questions from service members he said,   "I am standing in a room full of people who have put service before self; my   congratulations and hat's off to you all."

More than a half dozen Soldiers had concerns they were able to voice to the   leadership of the National Guard. Questions consisted of an issue currently   being discussed in the highest levels of U.S. politics regarding the retirement   system for volunteer Soldiers, financial incentives for particular military   occupation skills and delays in paying out enlistment bonuses. 

McKinley answered other questions regarding the semantics of combat pay and   recognition, and inequalities in subsistence with counterparts serving in other   theaters. Two topics were brought up concerning the future of the National   Guard. Army Maj. Daniel Caisse asked McKinley about the future of the National   Guard within the current budget constraints and right sizing of the economy.   Chief Warrant Officer 4 William Jepsen voiced concern over the age of equipment   the National Guard is using and whether a plan for fielding newer equipment is   being considered. 

McKinley answered both questions with tones of praise for the ingenuity of   Guard members to use available assets to complete any mission set before them,   and the prospect of tough decisions as to where to cut back and where to spend.   He said that the strategic development process set by the president will shape   those decisions. 

"We will size the force to a strategy [the president] thinks he can afford.   It should be a strategy, it shouldn't just be an affordability drill here,"   McKinley said. "When that happens, they're going to pass down things to us in   the National Guard that are either going to be utilizing our skills and our   affordability, and the fact that we are doing it at less cost â€¦ or they'll take   a slice across the board, which happens periodically, where everybody pays their   fair share. We haven't gotten to that point yet."

He went on to add the additional mission of the Citizen-Soldier citing the   numerous natural disasters of this past year that called upon local Guard   members to aid their fellow citizens.

McKinley said, "We have another mission also, and that is to take care of our   mission at home. The governors expect the National Guard to be available, well   trained, well equipped and we go out of those gates of the armory ready to   go."

Army Sgt. Timothy Tharp, a member of Task Force Aviation, expressed his   thoughts on the visit and words of McKinley and his staff.

"It's an important event, that's for sure. To have someone of his stature and   position come speak with us â€“ I appreciate it," Tharp said. "Of course I really   appreciate the work Col. [Michael D.] Schwartz does on our behalf.

"He's not a four star but he also fights for us. He has to take his lumps   just like us, but he's still spent many sleepless nights working to get us what   we need."

Following the questions from the Soldiers, McKinley presented 13 junior   enlisted Soldiers with coins for a job well done. The New Mexico Adjutant   General, Army Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, also presented coins to six Soldiers   on the recommendation of fellow Soldiers.

Five enlisted service members were also honored with coins from the New   Mexico State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Adair. New Mexico   National Guard members make up the headquarters element of MNBG-E as well as the   majority of service members present along with 22 additional states and   territories and nine countries.

Soldiers expressed their gratitude to the National Guard Bureau for sending   the top leadership to Kosovo to speak face-to-face with the personnel stationed   here.

Army Maj. Mary Laumbach, deputy logistics officer, said, "Every soldier in   there was honored. The questions asked were answered in a straight forward   manner and with confidence. I appreciate the general taking the questions back   to Congress."

The year-long deployment for the Soldiers of KFOR14 has been dotted with   visits from leadership service-wide. The appreciation shown to each of the   visitors for taking the time to travel to the remote region in the Balkans does   not go unnoticed by those stationed here.

McKinley, the first four-star general to hold the position of Chief of the   National Guard Bureau, reciprocated that sentiment by showing his gratitude to   the Soldiers who volunteered for this tour of duty.

Related Stories

                            -  National Guard troops vigilant in Kosovo's transition to nationhood   

Related Links

                            -  Kosovo Force   
                            -  Multinational Force & Observers   

- Home
- Site Map
- Privacy & Security Policy
- Link Disclaimer
- Web Policy
- DOD Information Quality
- DOD Open Government

- FOIA
- No FEAR Act
- Accessibility/Section 508
- Contact Us
- Army Guard Careers
- Air Guard Careers
- USA.gov

                  - X
                  - YouTube
                  - Flickr
                  - Facebook
                  - Instagram

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil