Quote:1225 B.C. Earliest known Illyrian king, Hyllus, dies. Fourth Century B.C. King Bardhylus unites Illyria, Molossia (Epirus) and part of Macedonia. The Illyrian kingdom reaches its peak. 358 B.C. Illyrians are defeated by Philip II of Macedonia. 312 B.C. King Glauk of Illyria expels Greeks from Durrës. 232 B.C. King Agron dies, the Illyrian throne is occupied by Queen Teuta. 165 B.C. Romans capture King Gent of Illyria and send him to Rome. Illyria is now under Roman control. First Century A.D. Christianity comes to Illyrian populated areas.
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(2/14/06 4:29 am) Reply
Re: ALBANIAN COMANDOS
A couple of recent articles
Posted on Thu, Feb. 09, 2006
Who's with the U.S. in Iraq? - link
A look at the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.
ALBANIA: 120 non-combat troops, patrolling Mosul airport; no plans to withdraw.
ARMENIA: 46 soldiers serving under Polish command through 2006; no withdrawal plan.
AUSTRALIA: Roughly 550 troops and support in Iraq, plus several hundred others in Persian Gulf region; no dates set for pullout.
AZERBAIJAN: 150 troops; no withdrawal plans.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: 36 ordnance experts rotated every six months; no plans to withdraw.
BRITAIN: About 8,000 troops in southern Iraq, roughly 2,000 others in Gulf region; government and military deny media reports that 2,000 will be withdrawn starting in May.
BULGARIA: Pulled out 380 infantry troops in December; will deploy 120 non-combat troops by mid-March to guard refugee camp.
CZECH REPUBLIC: 100 military police training Iraqis; mission extended to end of 2006.
DENMARK: 530 troops patrolling southern Iraqi city of Basra; mission expires July 1.
EL SALVADOR: 380 soldiers doing humanitarian work in Hillah; no plans to withdraw.
ESTONIA: 34 troops, mostly infantry, serving under U.S. command in Baghdad; mission extended to end of 2006.
GEORGIA: 858 combat forces, medics and support personnel serving under U.S. command in Baqouba; no plans to withdraw.
ITALY: About 2,600 troops, most in Nasiriyah; government plans to draw down gradually, with contingent halved by June and civilian replacements to be deployed.
JAPAN: 600 non-combat troops based in Samawah to purify water; government and military have not confirmed media reports that pullout could begin in March.
KAZAKHSTAN: 27 military engineers; no plans for withdrawal.
LATVIA: 135 soldiers, mostly infantry; mission expires at end of 2006.
LITHUANIA: 60 soldiers, mostly infantry, serving with Danish contingent; mission to last at least through end of 2006.
MACEDONIA: 32 troops providing security; no plans to withdraw.
NETHERLANDS: 15 soldiers as part of NATO mission training police, army officers; mandate expires in August.
POLAND: 900 non-combat troops; commands multinational force south of Baghdad; could be extended into next year.
ROMANIA: 863 troops, including 400 infantry, 150 mine experts, 100 military police, 50 military intelligence plus medics and U.N. guards; no plans to withdraw.
SLOVAKIA: 107 troops stationed in Hillah in Polish sector, mostly engaged in demining; no plans to withdraw.
SOUTH KOREA: 3,270 troops training Iraqis; security for U.N.; 1,000 to withdraw this year; mission expires at end of 2006.
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(2/14/06 4:30 am) Reply
Re: ALBANIAN COMANDOS
Monday, February 13, 2006
Translation: Valley soldier’s language skills help build bridges with Albanian partners - link
By Marshall Thompson
MOSUL, Iraq — When a soldier from Cache Valley arrived in Iraq last June for a one-year tour, the last thing he expected to find was a second family from a distant country.
Capt. Daniel Chase, adjutant for the 142nd Corps Support Battalion, North Logan native and Utah State University graduate, was surprised to find himself on the same base as a contingent of Albanian commandos. Chase lived in Albania for two years in the mid-1990s as an LDS missionary and speaks the language fluently. He even keeps an Albanian flag on his desk.
“I had no expectations of seeing anyone I knew,” Chase said. “It was kind of neat to see somebody with whom I could relate. Even though they were from a different country, we’d have the same experiences.”
The Albanian commandos have worked with American soldiers since 2000 as peacekeepers in Bosnia. In 2001 they went into Afghanistan, and have been in Iraq since 2003. The company has less than 100 soldiers, but U.S. soldiers appreciate their presence.
“I didn’t think there’d be anyone over here but Americans,” said Pfc. Kurt Tappe, a paralegal specialist with the 142nd CSB. “It makes me feel like we’re not the only ones fighting the war. There are people over here fighting with us.”
Tappe said he had no idea Chase spoke Albanian until an Albanian soldier visited the office one day.
“Capt. Chase was talking fluently with him when I came in to ask a question and I was like, ‘Wow,’” Tappe said.
Chase said he gets some curious glances from U.S. soldiers when he eats lunch or dinner with the Albanians.
“I’ve noticed that some American soldiers will walk by and take a double take,” Chase said.
Although many of the Albanian soldiers speak English, they were pleasantly surprised to find someone who speaks their language.
“The first time Capt. Chase was here in my compound, I was impressed by his Albanian language skills because he speaks very well,” said Maj. Besnik Sokoli, commander of the Albanian commandos in Iraq.
Chase said that for him, the Albanians were like a second family and “brothers in arms.”
“The term ‘brothers in arms’ means more than fighting alongside another country, but understanding the backgrounds, differences and struggles our countries have made to be where they are today,” Chase said.
Albania and the United States have come a long way in the last two decades to be working together. When Sokoli took command of his first unit in 1988, Albania was under a communist regime and had no allies, even among the communist countries. In 1991, Albania started an effort toward democratization. Fifteen years later, Sokoli said it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. He’s also glad to have allies once again.
“The cooperation we have with the American officers and noncommissioned officers has been on a good level,” Sokoli said. “Our operations here are not just for Albanians, they are for Americans, too.”
The Albanian company provides base security and a quick reaction force. They patrol a large section of Mosul as well as operating checkpoints and running security for visiting officials.
Chase said he appreciates what the Albanians do to protect the base and surrounding areas, and he’s also happy just to have someone to talk with.
“To see them here contributing to the war on terror and fighting for the freedom of this country, it’s incredible,” Chase said. “Having them here has made it a little easier on me.”
———
Editor’s note: Marshall Thompson is a military journalist deployed with the 207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment to Balad, Iraq. He is a graduate of the Utah State University journalism program.
- albwatch -
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Posts: 2667
(2/14/06 3:29 pm) Reply
Re: ALBANIAN COMANDOSA salute to our gallant allies in Iraq is a photo album of Coalition Forces ,
Re: ALBANIAN COMANDOS
Ore po me ca mutin i ushqejn kto ushtar kta, duken sikur po ngordhin urie ne krahasim me ushtaret e tjere. Se kuptoj si i mbajn ato mitrolozat ne dore, rrezik peshojn me shume se vetja e tyre.
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