All  pictures below include D Co, 629th MI BN soldiers located at the NORDPOL Battlegroup.

Doboj Castle picture: 1LT scott and SFC Mason with female interpreter Mary, and helicopter pilots visiting the Doboj castle after a mission.

High above the Ozren Pocket, Republic of Serbska, Bosnia, with 1LT Scott, SPC Grenier, interpreter Mirzet and SGT Kollar.

CPT Pike, SFC Brownell and 1LT Scott conducting qualifications at the Nordic Polish Battlegroup range, Doboj, Republic of Serpska, Bosnia.

1LT A. Parker Scott
HHOC, 629 MI BN
OJF, Eagle Base
SFOR7

The once bloody killing fields of Bosnia and Herzegovina may be drifting from the memory of many Americans, but Colorado State University is making history here now.

This is in great part due to Major General Robert L. Halverson.  He is a 1963 graduate of CSU and perhaps the highest-ranking CSU alumnus to ever serve in the U.S. military.  As the Commanding General of the 49^th Armored Division of the Texas Army National Guard, he has been placed in command of Stabilization Force 7 (SFOR-7), Multinational Division North (MND(N)).  This is one of three sectors in Bosnia, as determined by the Dayton Peace Accords.  The others are British and French.  Within these sectors are soldiers from all nineteen NATO countries, as well as soldiers from numerous other non-NATO countries – to include Russia, Estonia, Argentina, and many others. 

General Halverson commands approximately ten thousand soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and civilians of numerous nationalities with the mission of implementing the peacekeeping goals of the Dayton Peace Accords.  This sector is perhaps the most volatile in the region, with the most front-line distances (therefore, unfortunately, the most land mines), and with some of the most hotly contested cities.  Srebrenica is here, where 8000 unarmed inhabitants were killed.  So is Brcko, the recently minted international city.  Numerous mass graves still exist within our sector, with untold numbers of victims lying within.  As you read this, the task of marking the graves and identifying the bodies is taking place, and undoubtedly there are many, many sites yet to be discovered.       

In stark contrast to these recent horrors, Bosnia is a country of terrific natural beauty.  Although the coasts are perhaps the most striking and well known features of the region, and are now mostly in the country of Croatia, the interior is where Bosnia has carved itself a nation.  General Halverson and his headquarters  is on Eagle Base, an old airport from the Cold War days, near the city of Tuzla.  He is on the Federation side, as opposed to the Republic of Serbska side of this divided country.  I was there for a couple of months, but am now at a Scandinavian camp in the Republic of Serbska.

For natural beauty, the valley where Eagle Base is reminds me of spring in Yampa Valley west of  Steamboat Springs, although the forests and undergrowth are much thicker.  There are hills and mountains gradually rising up on both sides.  If you go over these hills, there are more, and over them, still more.  It is very mountainous country.  Granted, it is ill advised to travel off the roadways due to all the land mines still here, and people are killed every week or two from one sort of land mine or another. 

Further to the south is Sarajevo and its higher mountains that hosted the wonderful 1984 Winter Olympics, and possibly the 2010 Olympics, if some local organizers have their way.  There are almost always rivers and creeks in these valleys, adding to the lushness of the country and helping to make the area fantastic shades of green.  A smoky haze from evening fires hangs in the air most mornings, but now that spring is here, brilliant sun filled days are the norm. 

Looking out across the valley from the airfield during the day, one can see many small peaceful fires.  These little fires seem to be an effective way to both clear some land, and to dispose of rubbish.  It lends the area to possess a unique smell that will be one of those little things that will always remind me of Bosnia should I smell it again.

 The difference between the haves and have nots is most apparent while on the narrow Bosnian roads.  We see horse carts of varying sizes, tractors of every size, as well as the latest Mercedes and Audis.   It is obvious to see who is doing well.  Whether a Bosnian drives an Audi or a Trabant, they had better watch out for the American Hummvee – and especially our rear view mirrors, as they make a wide vehicle even wider.  Work is hard to find here for the Bosnians, although some lucky ones can work on Eagle Base, or at one of the other military camps.  Through an American contractor, we employ many locals, who make an average of something between one and five dollars per hour depending on their skills.

Although the General won’t know it until he reads this, he has heard from me quite often.  While I worked at Eagle Base, he read a daily assessment report I compiled for my battalion, and he got bits of information I passed through my position to his.  Not all of it reaches him, because it’s filtered through other staff sections.  But often, important nuggets of information make it all the way to him.  I can send in a report one day, then see it briefed that evening or the next morning to him, often times with updates as the situation develops.  I know, because I was in a unique position to see him at work too.

 One bit of interesting news that we were able to follow from the earliest stages that is now unclassified and has been widely reported in the civilian press was the discovery of the fighter jet that Scott O’Grady was shot down in a few years ago.   This was discovered in our sector, and was interesting to hear reports evolve from rumor to confirmation. 

There is a large room at Headquarters in Eagle Base with seating that rises semi-circular stadium style five or six levels up, with a railing at the top separating the seating area from the standing area at the top.  Each level is a ring of desks with telephones and computer hook ups where all of his unit commanders and staff sit.  The General and his ADC (Assistant Division Commander), and his POLAD (Political Adviser: a civilian) sit at the bottom with all fifty or sixty commanders, advisors, senior non-commissioned officers, among others, sit spread out in front of him, each ready to give their updates if and when called upon. 

There is a massive diamond-vision style screen behind the general for all the commanders to see, and a closer, smaller one just for the Generals down below.  He has video teleconferencing too, and uses it daily to communicate with the British and French sector Commanders.  It is hard not to be impressed, and looks something like a serious version of Late Night with Jay Leno.

There are many aspects to our involvement here, and each could easily fill many books, but I can’t do that here.  I’ve been able to see a few angles to what we do here, and everything I’ve seen is positive.  The Americans should make you all proud.  In addition, it’s a  beautiful land in myriad ways.  In sharp contrast to the horror of the confusing ethnic war of only a few years ago, most everyone is making progress, and it is great to play a part in helping them to put it back together.

Hundreds upon hundreds of children wave as we drive by, some even blow kisses, and that really makes me feel good about what General Halverson and all the other Americans are doing in Bosnia.