Col. Eric Riley, commander of Kosovo Force Regional-Command

Col. Eric Riley, commander of Kosovo Force Regional-Command East, visits with RC-E’s task force explosive ordnance disposal March 31, 2020, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. Riley visited the task force to learn of their capabilities and gain a better understanding of EOD equipment such as explosives-detecting and x-ray devices. Sgt. Bradway Byrd, a TF EOD team leader, said he looks forward to his mission in Kosovo. “This is different from a combat environment in Afghanistan or Syria where we are actively engaging enemy forces and encountering improvised explosive devices,” said Byrd. “Here there is a strong focus on working alongside the civilian population and local authorities to safely remove old remnants of war and other unexploded ordnance to ensure a safe environment for the people of Kosovo.” TF EOD, who is organic to the U.S. Army’s 720th EOD in Baumholder, Germany, are deployed as the 27th iteration of the NATO-led Kosovo Force who are charged with ensuring a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all the people of Kosovo. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Micah Navarrete)