Ambassador Campbell attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Armed Forces of Mongolia Five Hills Military Training Center.  She participated in the ceremony with the Minister of Defense, the Honorable Tsolmon, and the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Byambajav. 

The U.S. Department of State’s, Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), is funding several new construction and renovation projects at the training center. 

The ceremony on Monday officially turned over a soldier’s barracks, a dining facility, and a shower and laundry facility that have been completely renovated.  The remaining projects will be complete by November 2015 and include a new multipurpose training facility, a new military vehicle garage, a new field latrine, a renovated field dining facility, and several projects to upgrade the electricity and water infrastructure. This construction is part 2 of GPOI funding.  Part 1 GPOI construction projects were completed from 2006-2008. 

This initiative is meant to assist the Mongolian military with improving the training of its soldiers for United Nations peacekeeping missions.  Also on hand at the ceremony were Colonel Christopher Lestochi, Mr. Randy Bowker and Mr. Jathan Garrett from the U.S. Corps of Engineers.