In what the Americans call a show of "readiness", a massive mobilisation of troops and tanks and equipment and US Marines is being moved into Kosovo this week, with a portion being transported by a 104-member Irish Army unit.
"Our primary job is move anything in the theatre," said Comdt. Michael McDermott. "We are considered a direct asset of Kfor, so we move ammunitions and military equipment."
Beginning on Tuesday, the Irish troops sent out three convoys to support the US Marines, a mission that will last three weeks.
In a region tense as the anniversary of the NATO air war campaign approaches tomorrow, US military spokesmen say the mobilisation, called Dynamic Response 2000, is an effort to display both strength and a willingness to use force should either side in the region - President Slobodan Milosevic's forces or Albanian rebels - try to threaten the fragile peace here.
Although Comdt. McDermott's command is participating, he sounds much more enthusiastic about the task he has been overseeing since he arrived here in Lipljan in February as part of the regular six-month rotation for the unit.
The Irish troops are helping Serb and Albanian families to rebuild their homes. They have delivered food and clothes to children.
A particular school in Lipljan seems to have affected Comdt. McDermott. It is in an area of town where the few remaining Serbs are living, mostly under guard.
Some 150 children attend the tiny Serb school. Several weeks ago someone tossed a hand grenade into the school's play yard.
"Can you believe that?" asks Comdt. McDermott, standing outside the school as a little Serb girl sweeps a classroom, then runs out to greet him. "How could anyone toss a grenade into a schoolyard?" Fortunately, the grenade did not injure anyone.
Despite the frustrations of trying to calm ethnic hatreds here, Comdt. McDermott says his unit is up to the challenge. "We have only three first-timers with us."
But he adds: "I think NATO expected too much too soon here. It will take generations for the hatred to stop. It is a long-term commitment."