Meritorious Service Awards for EUFOR

General Adkins was visiting EUFOR HQ and NATO Sa HQ in Camp BUTMIR, SARAJEVO and attended a working lunch followed by an office call with the COM EUFOR.

General Heidecker welcomed General Adkins and they discussed the political situation in BiH and EUFOR’s mission to provide Capacity Building and Training to the Armed Forces of BiH and to support the Safe and Secure Environment through its executive mandate.

Colonel Martin Trachsler (Switzerland) was also present and provided a brief regarding the Ammunition and Weapons Surplus (AWS) in BiH. He described the MOD BiH led activity to reduce the surplus which is supported by the International Community (including the OSCE, UNDP, NATO and EUFOR).

General Heidecker went on to describe the military configuration of the EU Force which contains troops from 18 EU and 5 non-EU member states. EUFOR includes a Multi-national Battalion (MNBN) which currently comprises of troops from Turkey and Hungary. The number of troops permanently deployed with EUFOR was reduced in September 2012 due to the improvement of the Safe and Secure Environment and the force was restructured so that the MNBN can be reinforced with additional over the horizon or “Intermediate Reserve" troops should they be required.

The Intermediate Reserve Forces are provided by 6 EU partner nations and allow a rapid surge in EUFOR troop levels should the need arise. The process of activating, deploying and integrating these troops was rehearsed recently through Exercise Quick Response 2.

This Exercise involved the deployment of 2 light infantry companies; one from Austria and the other from Slovakia, and resulted in an uplift of approximately 250 additional troops under EUFOR control. The exercise was also planned and conducted in close co-operation with the Armed Forces of BiH and with support from the local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).

General Adkins offered his support to EUFOR and stated that he “appreciates all [EUFOR] has done for the citizens of [BiH]."

Also receiving the Maryland Meritorious Service Medal were the Chief of Staff for EUFOR, Brigadier General József Szpisják, Colonel Trachsler and the EUFOR Command Sergeant Major Johann Obwaller.

Major General Adkins was appointed as the 28th adjutant general of Maryland in June, 2008. As the adjutant general he is responsible for the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Defense Force. He is the senior advisor to the governor for these state agencies and is responsible for the readiness, administration and training of more than 7,200 members of the Maryland Military Department.

General Adkins stated that he “appreciated getting the opportunity to recognize the contribution these people have made."