by Pfc. Jennifer Smith
 

        KLOKOT, Kosovo (Army News Service, Aug. 30, 1999)
Restoring normalcy and protecting the Kosovar populous becomes a
natural function for many Task Force Falcon soldiers as
Operation Joint Guardian II continues.
        Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, adapts
its way of handling missions with each new town it patrols and
the soldiers are learning new lessons daily.       "(Our mission
here) is to enforce the provisions of the Military (Technical)
Agreement while providing peace and security to the people, and
helping to return the communities to normalcy," Staff Sgt.
Lawrence Ebert, platoon sergeant, said.
        Many of the company soldiers agree the unit is well on
its way to mission accomplishment.  "There are more people
resuming their everyday activities and more stores are opening
for business," said Spc. Selan Aiava.
        "I think we're making a difference here.  There are not
as many murders, and we're actually helping some of them
medically as well," commented Spc. David Powell, combat medic.
        According to Ebert, Company A soldiers conduct presence
patrols through the town daily, looking for signs of unusual
activity and talking to the locals about events that may have
bearing on the mission.
        They also set up temporary checkpoints where the
soldiers conduct vehicle searches. Soldiers search for
everything from knives to mortars, which civilians are not
authorized to have under the MTA.  Soldiers also guard fields as
farmers work to harvest crops before winter hits the region.
        "I'm proud to be here, we're doing something right for
the people while enforcing the peace accords," said Spc. Yerry
Teang, gunner.
        Even though pride is a reason many soldiers continue