Brig.-Gen. Merle D. Hart assumed command of NATO HQ Sarajevo from Brig.-Gen. Walter T. Lord at a military ceremony held in Camp Butmir on June 24.

More than 300 invited guests attended the event, including Željko Komšić, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Živko Budimir, the president of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Deputy Minister of Defence Mirko Okolocic. Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, the commander of Joint Force Command, Naples was also present at the ceremony.

During the Transfer of Authority ceremony, General Lord was awarded the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal and the Defence Superior Service Medal, founded by President Gerald R. Ford on February 6, 1976. In his speech, the outgoing general thanked Maj.-Gen. Dieter Heidecker, the commander of EUFOR HQ located at Camp Butmir, and EUFOR Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. József Szpisják.  

“Thank you very much for your cooperation on a professional level and, equally important, for your camaraderie and good friendship. The NATO-EUFOR relationship in Sarajevo has improved immensely over the course of my year here and that is a direct product of your leadership” – he said.

Two days earlier, during a ceremony held in the US ambassador’s residence, Brig.-Gen. Walter T. Lord had taken over from József Pandur, Hungary’s ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina the „For the Alliance” Service Medal awarded by Minister of Defence Csaba Hende.

Since May 23, Col. Ferenc Farkas has been chief of staff at NATO HQ Sarajevo.

(Ministry of Defence)