Lieutenant Colonel of the Ohio National Guard: Serbia is making the greatest contribution to stability in the region, KFOR is crucial for preventing escalations

Serbia is making the greatest contribution to stability in this region, and for the Ohio National Guard, it is extremely important to partner with the strongest military force in the region because the Serbian Armed Forces are certainly in a position to maintain peace, says Director of the Ohio National Guard Partnership Program with Serbia and Hungary, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Masman. He expresses confidence that KFOR, as an important factor for stability in the region, prevents any escalation.

Lieutenant Colonel Masman, who will participate in the Belgrade Marathon for Kosovo online today, notes that he has been in this position for three years and during this time, he has been able to observe that Serbia and the Serbian Armed Forces have been consistent in promoting stability and peace.

"I think it's very important for people to understand that Serbia is making the greatest contribution to stability in this region, and despite the obvious connections with people in other nations in the surrounding area, it is clear that Serbia and the Serbian Armed Forces are consistent in promoting stability and peace. It is important for us to partner with Serbia as the strongest military force in the region because they are certainly in a position to maintain peace," said Lieutenant Colonel Masman.

He also emphasizes that KFOR is an important factor for stability in the region.

"KFOR is an important factor for stability in the region. Anyone who thinks they are doing poorly in Kosovo must think twice about it. I believe that KFOR prevents any escalation," he said.

Asked whether the U.S. decision to sell Javelin missiles to Kosovo could jeopardize stability in the region, Lieutenant Colonel Masman says that is beyond what he does.

"I'm here with the Serbian Armed Forces, helping each other to strengthen and build friendships," he said.

As the most important results of the cooperation between the Ohio National Guard and Serbia over the past 18 years of the State Partnership Program's existence, Lieutenant Colonel Masman emphasizes the building of lasting friendships.

He notes that these friendships are still being forged today. He recounted that the generals of the Ohio National Guard and the Serbian General Staff met when they were both lieutenant colonels, which is his rank now, and, as he adds, quite far from the rank of generals.

"The two of them have known each other for 17, 18 years and are still in touch. When I come to Serbia for a visit, I see that these personal friendships permeate all of our relationships," he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Masman also notes that the partnership between the U.S. and Serbia is very important because both are involved in international peacekeeping missions around the world.

Highlighting Serbia's particular contribution to peacekeeping in Africa, he says that U.S. and Serbian troops are working together on the Sinai Peninsula.

Regarding cooperation, he emphasizes that representatives of the Ohio National Guard were in Serbia more than 30 times last year alone, and this week alone, they have four different events planned.

Commenting that they are excited to participate again this year with the Serbian Armed Forces in Exercise Platinum Wolf, Lieutenant Colonel Masman says that the exercise is excellent for practicing interoperability for peacekeeping.

"We are excited to once again work together on Exercise 'Platinum Wolf 2024' this year. We were very proud that Serbia recognized our partnership and that we participated in a multinational exercise with Serbian forces.

Lieutenant Colonel in the Ohio Air National Guard, responsible for medical cooperation, Shelley Breckman, tells Kosovo Online that they are working together with their Serbian military partners to create mutually beneficial training that aids in medical operations and treatment.

"We help each other and share our best practices and exchange knowledge, caring for people on a global level," said Breckman, noting that she is fascinated by the military medical institutions in Serbia.

In that regard, she emphasizes that she is impressed by the medical treatment provided at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in Belgrade.

"I am impressed by how they collaborate with the civilian sector and care for the entire community, how they have a perspective to care for the whole world, and how they want to invest more effort and how we can care for everyone as a whole. I love working with them, and I am excited to see what the future holds," said Lieutenant Colonel Breckman.