Today at Camp Butmir, Sarajevo, a new chapter of leadership began for EUFOR’s Multinational Battalion (MNBN).
Lieutenant Colonel Gianfabio Colella of the Italian Armed Forces assumed command from Lieutenant Colonel Ioan Vasile Rus of the Romanian Armed Forces during a Transfer of Authority ceremony led by COM EUFOR Major General Florin Marian Barbu.
The event welcomed distinguished attendees, including COS EUFOR Brigadier General Tibor Szabó, and nd H.E. Anton Păcurețu, Ambassador of Romania to BiH. In recognition of his outstanding service, Major General Barbu awarded Lieutenant Colonel Rus the Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal for Operation ALTHEA and the Commander’s Commendation, the highest honor from the Commander of EUFOR in BiH.
Major General Barbu expressed his gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Rus for his exceptional leadership and dedication, and assured Lieutenant Colonel Colella of the EUFOR command team’s full support.
The MNBN, EUFOR’s military manoeuvre unit, is based in Camp Butmir and includes troops from Albania, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Romania, and Türkiye. It trains regularly with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen readiness and cohesion.
Congratulations to both commanders, and best wishes to Lieutenant Colonel Gianfabio Colella as he takes the lead of this dynamic multinational force!