On 23 November 2009, the official handover ceremony of seven mine detection dog teams to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held at the „Dom Oružanih Snaga“ in Sarajevo. The donation for the training and equipping of the teams was provided by US Department of State through ITF. The official handover was made by Mr. Goran Gačnik, ITF Director and Mr. Ahmet Hadžiomerović, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mine detection dog teams were successfully trained at the Regional Mine Detection Dog Centre (MDDC) in Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Likewise for the needs of the Armed Forces of BiH, MDDC additionally performed the training of 3 mine detection dog trainers. At the official ceremony final Certificates on Completion of the Training for mine detection dogs and mine detection dog handlers were solemnly delivered.
In his speech, Mr. Hadžiomerović pointed out the fact that this donation will significantly increase the humanitarian demining capacities of the Armed Forces of BiH.
Mr. Gačnik underlined that this donation is a continuation of good cooperation between the Armed Forces of BiH and ITF.