The Dutch contribution to Kosovo Force 2
The Netherlands continued to be represented in KFOR after the artillery and engineer battalions returned to the Netherlands. NATO regularly sent Dutch military personnel employed in one of its headquarters to Kosovo.
There was no government decision behind the deployment of these ‘international augmentees’ and the number of military personnel thus representing the Netherlands fluctuated; in 2001 and 2002, there were 7, in 2003 there were 6 and in 2004 just one, who held the post of Provost Marshall (head of military police) in Pristina.
Military personnel to Kosovo
It was not until the middle of May 2005 that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence informed the Lower House that they were considering the deployment of a number of military personnel to KFOR’s headquarters. The 4 servicemen arrived in Kosovo on 11 October 2005. 2 were assigned to an inspection team in the KFOR Inspectorate for the Kosovo Protection Corps (KIKPC).
The other 2 worked for the military police as a liaison officer in the operations division and as a systems manager in the headquarters’ communications division. The personnel deployed in the context of KFOR and EULEX were supported by a National Support Element (NSE). This element consisted of 2 service members of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. In addition, a National Intelligence Cell (NIC) staffed by 2 service members was established in Pristina.
From 1 February to 1 July 2007, the Ministry of Defence also made a surgical team that consisted of 7 individuals available to KFOR. The team was assigned to the German Role 3 hospital in Prizren and also provided medical care in the local hospital. The Netherlands fulfilled the role of Provost Marshal within KFOR until 30 September 2011. The number of Dutch service members active within KFOR therefore decreased to 3.