Shakeup of Kosovo peacekeeping force brings return of Army unit there at the start

Active-duty U.S. soldiers from a unit that helped establish NATO’s Kosovo peacekeeping force are back, taking over from National Guard counterparts. A soldier with the Florida National Guard’s 153rd Cavalry Regiment conducts a radio test during a spur ride event near Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Aug. 2, 2026. The Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Infantry Division are deploying to Kosovo to replace the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade. (Seth LaCount/U.S. Army) Active-duty U.S. soldiers from a unit that helped establish NATO’s Kosovo peacekeeping force in the wake of Balkan bloodshed are back for the first time in years, taking over from National Guard counterparts. The shift away from traditional Guard leadership comes ahead of planned troop reductions as a result of the improving security situation in the country.

Members of the Vilseck-headquartered 2nd Cavalry Regiment and supporting units from the 1st Infantry Division assumed command Monday of Kosovo Force Regional Command-East during a ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, a U.S. Army Europe and Africa statement said. The last time active-duty troops led the East command was September 2014, command spokesman Staff Sgt. Hunter Tate said Friday. The decision was made due to “current force availability and mission needs,” he said. The newcomers took over from the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade. “Our soldiers are fit, inspired, disciplined, trained