WASHINGTON –
Members of the District of Columbia National Guard’s 1946th Financial Management Support Detachment returned from a nine-month deployment to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, providing financial management support to Kosovo Forces assigned to the NATO peacekeeping mission. They were responsible for currency disbursements, contract vendor payments, and payroll for active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard members in the Balkans Theater.
“We provided financial support to the KFOR mission on three different bases amongst all NATO partners—to include the units in austere locations, our job was to make sure the funding for resources were provided and personnel were paid,” said Capt. Demaron O. McFarlane, commander and disbursing officer, 1946th Financial Management Support Detachment. “Whatever needed to be done financially, that was our job.”
For over two decades, the U.S. Army has maintained a presence in Kosovo, assisting in regional stabilization and public safety efforts for the Kosovo people and institutions. Freedom of movement and an international humanitarian effort involves bringing together military units from dozens of countries to work toward a common goal.
“We were a significant support element that made sure not only that military members were paid but also the contractors were paid in the theater,” said 1st Lt. Natalia Khalifa, executive officer, 1946th Financial Management Support Detachment. “Finance at its core is a support element for the warfighter—we like helping people solve financial-related problems. It enhances the overall experience.”
Daily operations for members of the D.C. National Guard also included oversight of all Defense Travel System and Government Travel Card processes for personnel deployed to Kosovo. According to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, KFOR is comprised of 27 Allied and partner countries supporting a wider international effort.