The handover of the post of Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo between the current commander, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad and the incoming Brigadier General Pamela L. McGaha, took place today in Sarajevo.

Eric Folkestad had done an impeccable job

The Allied Force Commander in Naples, Admiral Robert Burke said they have gathered today for the 17th handover of the post of the NATO HQ Sarajevo, a tangible expression of the Alliance's continued commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's defense and security sector reforms.

He said that the current commander of the NATO headquarters, Eric Folkestad, had done an impeccable job during his tenure and that he is leaving Sarajevo after strengthening NATO's relations with B&H institutions, improving close cooperation with the European Union and helped the people of B&H get closer to their aspirations for full integration into Europe.

He also welcomed Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, who is coming to Sarajevo from the post of Commanding General of the 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Orlando, Florida, expressing hope that she will continue to build on great successes while continuing NATO's commitment to peace, security and prosperity.

Huge and positive impact

Brigadier General Eric Folkestad said that the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo witnessed many successes of the B&H Armed Forces and that they were pleased to support key NATO Partnership for Peace programs in the interest of lasting security and prosperity for all citizens.

- In the end, I will tell the team of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo that you are an example worthy of respect when it comes to trust, integrity and honorable service and that it was a real honor and the greatest privilege to serve with you. The time has come to hand over this mission to the next NATO commander who will lead this expert team and continue to build the future on solid foundations of the past 26 years of peace - he said.

Brigadier General McGaha thanked the numerous ambassadors, civilian leaders and members of the B&H Armed Forces for their trust, especially the team at the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo.

- There is no doubt that the changes that our partners have achieved in the past year will have a huge and positive impact on the quality of life, not only of dedicated members of the B&H Armed Forces and their families, but also of their wider communities - she said.