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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       Feb. 18, 2008

No. 08-020

KANSAS GUARD TROOPS LEAD NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION AS KOSOVO BECOMES INDEPENDENT NATION

The 35th Infantry Division, headquartered in Leavenworth, Kan., stood guard in Kosovo Sunday as the country declared its independence from Serbia. Approximately 200 Kansas National Guard soldiers of the 35th Division are involved in the peacekeeping mission, along with Guardsmen from Missouri and Illinois who also make up the division. The division is the headquarters unit for Task Force Falcon, the multinational peacekeeping force that includes approximately 1,500 soldiers from 25 states and territories.

"There was celebratory fire last evening with some civilians receiving minor injuries and today we've had some protests, but they've been peaceful," said Brig. Gen. John Davoren, commander of the 35th ID and Task Force Falcon. "Overall, during the first 24 hours of Kosovo's independence, we've had no significant problems."

"Our troops have a very visible presence in Kosovo," Davoren said. "Despite concerns of violence and rioting, it's been calm and people have behaved well."

Six states make up most of Davoren's troops in Task Force Falcon: Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi and Tennessee.

"We're proud to have Kansas troops take part in this critical peacekeeping mission as history is made once again in the Balkans," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas Adjutant General. "While Kosovo has remained peaceful for some time, it's long been recognized as an area that could quickly become volatile for our troops, especially now."

The U.S. recognized Kosovo's independence in a letter, released today by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Some European Union nations have also started to individually recognize Kosovo today.

The 35th ID deployed to Kosovo late last summer for the year-long mission. The division served in Bosnia in 2003 and oversaw more than 19,000 National Guardsmen from across the country in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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