Now, she returned to Albania as the first woman commander for the Intelligence Company of the New Jersey National Guard, along with her colleagues, to train the Albanian Armed Forces on the use of the PUMA unmanned aerial system, donated by the United States.

The United States Embassy in Tirana shared her story on Sunday.

“I returned to Albania for a mission, to train Albanian Armed Forces on the use of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). “UAV is a drone designed for tactical missions, emergencies and humanitarian operations,” Çollaku said.

Çollaku says she wanted to come back to Albania for years on a mission and therefore she joined the New Jersey National Guard and not for the state where she lived, with the sole purpose of coming on a mission to Albania.

“At meetings with servicemen, I was told that an intelligence officer was needed here,” she added.

Çollaku said she is very proud to be Albanian and that she tells Albanian history to her colleagues.

“Since I grew up in the United States, I feel both American and Albanian. However, I am very proud to be Albanian and I take advantage of any occasion to tell Albanian history. I always provide information on Albanian culture and traditions and what to expect upon arrival in Albania,” she added.

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