As part of Operational Commander of Operation ALTHEA Lt Gen Hubert Cottereau’s visit to BiH, there were a number of engagements with AFBiH.
On Thursday 16 Mar, Lt Gen Cottereau met with Maj Gen Radovan Ilić, Commander of the Operations Command AFBiH in Camp Butmir. During their meeting they discussed ongoing and future cooperation between EUFOR and AFBiH.
On Friday, 17 Mar, Lt Gen Cottereau, accompanied by COM EUFOR Maj Gen Habermayer, visited Rajlovac Barracks where he met with members of the Tactical Support Brigade. Brigade Commander Col Jasmin Čajić, provided a welcome brief during which he thanked Lt Gen Hubert Cottereau and Maj Gen Habermayer for the ongoing support received from the European Union including the €10m donation of demining equipment. Col Čajić then outlined the history of Rajlovac Barracks and the Tactical Support Brigade and the mission, structure, strength, disposition, operational tasks and training activities conducted the Brigade. Col Čajić highlighted the excellent cooperation between EUFOR and the Brigade, noting future intensions to build upon and improve this cooperation.
Company Commander, Demining Battaltion, Capt Tarik Mušikić then gave a brief on the Demining Battalion. Capt Mušikić explained the history, accreditation, structure and tasks of the Battalion, including cooperation with EUFOR to conduct mine risk education.
Following this, Lt Gen Cottereau visited a static equipment display from the Demining Battalion which included stands from Manual Demining, Mine Detection Dogs Mechanical Demining, Reconnaissance Platoon and EOD Company.
On conclusion of the visit, Lt Gen Cottereau commented that
“Mining activities are at the core of the EU Force ALTHEA because we are here to support the BiH Government when it comes to installing and maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment. I am very proud and happy to have seen the level of professionalism and commitment of this Battalion. I have been able to see the result of the donations of the EU and I am sure that in the upcoming years the numbers of demining activities will increase to the benefit of the population and therefore to peace within this beautiful nation.”