CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo
- A U.S. soldier lost his right foot when he stepped on a andmine June 25 in Kosovo.
        Sgt. Richard Casini, 22, from C Troop, 1st Cavalry -- the Brigade Reconnaissance Troop of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Ga. -- stepped on the
landmine while on patrol in Kosovo Monday afternoon.
        "Sgt. Casini has been courageous throughout the ordeal and we are extremely thankful that he is alive and recovering well," said Col. Vincent Brooks, deputy commander for the
Multinational Brigade East.  "This incident reminds us of the hazards our soldiers face here in Kosovo as they perform their
mission."
        Casini, a reconnaissance scout, was conducting a patrol outside the town of Basici in southeastern Kosovo, as part of KFOR's ongoing effort to disrupt the flow of arms from Kosovo into FYROM, officials said.  After stepping on the mine, He was given immediate medical attention on the scene by a combat lifesaver.  Air medical evacuation was called for and he was removed from the heavily wooded, mountainous terrain by helicopter and taken to Camp Bondsteel for further treatment.
        "Sgt. Casini underwent surgery to remove his right foot
and he is in stable condition at this time," said Col. Jonathon Woodson, Task Force Falcon General Surgeon.
        Casini's family has been notified of the incident at this time. The incident is still currently under investigation.

 In Macedonia, a U.S. Army sergeant was wounded in the hand when the car in which he was riding
 came under fire on a road northeast of Skopje, Pentagon officials said. No other details were
 immediately available, including the source of the gunfire.

 There are about 700 U.S. troops in Macedonia, mainly to provide logistical support for the U.S.
 peacekeepers in Kosovo.