On 8th August, Admiral Michelle J. Howard, commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa visited EUFOR HQ, Camp Butmir in Sarajevo. She was welcomed by an Honour Guard made up of Austrian and Turkish soldiers from the EUFOR Multinational Battalion.
After a brief introduction to the EUFOR branch Chiefs, Commander EUFOR, Major General Anton Waldner and Commander NATO HQ Sarajevo Brigadier General Huston accompanied the Admiral in one of EUFORs helicopters as it transited to Mostar to visit the EUFOR houses based in the city. Admiral Howard received briefings on the EUFOR House and the LOT teams that operate from them. The local authorities also assisted in a short tour of the sights of the city before the delegation returned to Camp Butmir for further briefing with both the commanders.
EUFOR Operation Althea, currently made up of soldiers from 14 EU member states and 5 partner nations, works closely with NATO and the MoD BiH, conducting capacity building and training throughout the country to promote a climate where the peace process can continue to move forward. The objective being that AFBiH will operate autonomously without the requirement for international assistance. EUFOR is fully committed to support BiH "on its path to a European future" and remains a vital enabling actor in the development and maintenance of a safe and secure environment.