New Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo Eric Folkestad Assumes Duty

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The handover of command of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo between the outgoing commander, Brigadier General William Edwards, and the incoming commander, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, took place today in Sarajevo at the BiH Armed Forces Hall.

Folkestad comes from the position of Deputy Commander of the US Army for Africa and the Southern Europe Battle Group. Edwards stated in his address that the BiH Armed Forces have a significant lack of resources, which is the result of a lack of cooperation in recent years.

"When officers sit shivering from the cold in their offices without heating, and soldiers live in barracks also freezing without heating, then you have to ask yourself how defense reforms can be carried out in such an environment," Edwards added.

Folkestad said that the people of BiH should be proud of the progress made in the 25 years since the Dayton Peace Agreement.

"Together we can continue to build on the decades of progress, security, and prosperity that BiH's partnership with NATO brings," Folkestad said.

The US Ambassador to BiH, Eric Nelson, thanked Edwards for his commitment and results, and welcomed Folkestad to their team.