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More Bragg Troops Are Heading to 'Dangerous' Kosovo

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FORT BRAGG — Within the next two weeks, 29Fort Braggsoldiers will head to Kosovo. Even though the war is over, they realize the dangers are still very real.

"This is the first deployment where I might be in harms way," said Chief Warrant Officer Keith Young.

Young and Sgt. Bruce Fitton are heading to Kosovo to support Operation Joint Guardian. Along with trying to get the Kosovo refugees home safely, the Fort Bragg soldiers be part of the muscle behind the peace plan.

Young will help protectArmyandNATOinstallations. Fitton will work as an interrogator.

"It's a bit more of a hazardous environment," Fitton said. "The more recent conflict represents a challenge for peacekeepers."

The region is still volatile. Thursday, the commander of American Troops warned the troops that the environment is still dangerous for peacekeepers. Members of the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion say they are prepared to handle whatever they encounter.

They are quick to add; nothing can prepare them for the possibility of seeing mass graves. Two more were found Thursday in villages in south-western Kosovo.

"If we get into a situation where we see something that's not expected, hopefully our training will take over, and we'll drive on with doing what's right," Young said.

The soldiers will be gone at least six months, but they are prepared to stay for a year.

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