The New Jersey units are part of a joint force made up of National Guard, Army Reserve, and active duty units from 21 states which will conduct peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina enforcing the Dayton Peace Accords. The force will be commanded by the 29th Light Infantry Division, which is a National Guard formation based primarily in Maryland and Virginia. The 29th will command the rotation from October 2001 through April 2002. Some of the missions conducted by the SFOR are: patrolling a 1500 kilometer zone of separation between warring factions; repairing roads and other infrastructure; providing a secure environment for the restoration of civil government; and confiscating unauthorized weapons. 

 The New Jersey soldiers are being called to duty under a “presidential select reserve call-up” and have been training-up on weekends for the mobilization for several months. After reporting for processing at Fort Dix, units will spend approximately three weeks of training there before shipping overseas. Most soldiers will then spend about six and one-half months in-country before returning to Fort Dix for demobilization.

 The last New Jersey National Guard unit that was called up for the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia was the 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment which spent nine months in Europe in 1999. If you have any questions concerning this mobilization or the New Jersey National Guard please contact Colonel John Dwyer. Public Affairs Officer at 609-530-6939.