Radio România Internațional

Category: Romania. The Eastern Flank

  • NATO tested its capacity to deploy the Reaction Force

    NATO tested its capacity to deploy the Reaction Force

    Flancul-Estic-12-mar-2025Steadfast Dart 25 was the most important exercise of the North Atlantic Alliance at the beginning of this year.

     

    The exercise took place simultaneously in Romania, Greece and Bulgaria and was attended by over ten thousand soldiers from nine allied countries. The main objective of Steadfast Dart 25 was to test and train the deployment of the Allied Reaction Force elements in NATO’s eastern flank. It was the first time that this structure practiced an operational deployment since its establishment on July 1, 2024. In Romania, the training sequences took place in the Smârdan (east), Cincu (center), Bogata (northwest) and Babadag (southeast) training ranges.

     

    Among the countries participating in the exercise was France. Roger is a non-commissioned officer in the French army and is part of the contingent in the NATO Battle Group in Romania. “The weather here was similar to that in Cincu, where we, the French contingent, are stationed. For this exercise, we deployed many armored vehicles here in Smârdan. We brought with us everything related to the equipment of each soldier, such as weapons, helmets, protective equipment, drones and also most of the combat means in our equipment. We learned a lot about trench warfare, we did a lot of training in the firing range and in the urban combat range, together with our comrades from Romania, Spain and Scotland. In the future, we want to cooperate with other armies, to learn from their experiences related to fighting in trenches, as is happening today in the war in Ukraine,” the French soldier told us.

     

    The UK provided the largest contribution of forces to this exercise, with over 2,600 soldiers. Corporal Guidel is part of the Royal Military Police of the British Army and trained at the Smârdan training ground: “The collaboration between us was excellent. So, we from the British Army simulated the organization of a prisoner of war camp. Basically, we showed the Romanian military police how we can capture the personnel of a foreign army, what are the procedures to be followed, how we guarantee their safety or what to do with their personal belongings. Also during the training, we showed them how we provide humane treatment and how we ensure proper transportation, so that the convoy is protected and the prisoners of war remain safe. This exercise really shows that we can be united and that we can work together, regardless of culture, language or equipment.”

     

    Greek specialists in ammunition and explosive devices were present at the Smârdan training ground. Captain Vassos is the commander of an EOD team in the Hellenic Army. “We have a very good cooperation with our allied forces, which is very beneficial, because only this way do we know each other and we know that we can manage all the situations that may arise in the world, if NATO remains united. Our mission is to carry out EOD operations, which means that we deal with everything related to ammunition and explosive devices. Together with my team, we are constantly concerned with combating terrorism and neutralizing dangerous and suspicious areas. We have exchanged knowledge and equipment, so that we know how other allied forces work on the ground, but also how they use their technique,” ​​the Greek officer said.

     

    The Allied Reaction Force is a new concept, resulting from a political decision taken at the NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023. It serves as a rapid strategic reserve and can be deployed to deter escalation in various crisis situations. (EE)

  • French troops rotation in Romania

    French troops rotation in Romania

    The rotation at the end of January within the NATO Battle Group “Sevastopol” in Romania from Cincu brought soldiers from another famous unit of the French army, the 5th Dragoon Regiment from Mailly-le-Camp, near Troyes, the prefecture of the Aube Department in the Grand-Est region of France, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Paris. Founded in the 17th century, the regiment was re-established in 2016 and took over old fighting traditions. The “fantassins” together with the “armored cavalry” squadrons, which in present-day terminology are the mechanized infantry and the Leclerc tank companies, arrived here in Romania. We met up with them at the Eagle Warrior 25 exercise held in February at the Topraisar training ground of the “Constanța” 341st Infantry Battalion in the middle of Dobrogea (southeast).

     

    The commander of the French troops deployed to Topraisar was Captain Pierre-Louis: “First of all, we’re trying to integrate. For example, when we train for trench warfare, we try to include a group of Romanian soldiers within our platoon and vice-versa. The Romanian soldiers are very motivated, they are highly efficient, your NCOs show professionalism and pragmatism. It is beneficial for both sides because the engineering work we do here will be used for training by the Romanian military, and for us it is time to reconnect with the reality and intensity of war”, the French captain admitted.

     

    During fire practice, both sides used their own weapons, including, among others, “old” AKMs, but also the current standard French assault weapon, the modern HK-416. Perhaps surprisingly, Captain Pierre-Louis tells us it is not the weapon that makes the fighter:

     

    “Yes, the AKM is old, but we can also say that sometimes old means valuable. So, it is old, but very reliable, it is easy to use, maintain and can be used in any conditions. And it is good for my men to see, know how to use and shoot these weapons, to experience new things. I think that in the end, we are still talking about an assault weapon. You know, it is not the weapon that makes the shooter, I think it is more important the one who shoots. I think, and I am quite sure, that if I gave my gun to one of your seasoned soldiers, he would shoot it very easily and would have the same results as with the gun provided”, captain Pierre-Louis also pointed out.

     

    The French officer has his own story: he was not born in France, but in Germany in the early 90s in the city of Kleve where his father, also an active officer in the French Army, was on a mission. He has a 15-year career in the army and, although he does not admit it, he is also a “connoisseur” of the French national drink – champagne (after all, the regiment’s garrison is located in the middle of the Champagne region!). When he was young, he worked picking grapes in the vineyards in the area and he likes Romania even if he did not have time to taste any of the local sparkling wines:

     

    “I can tell you that Romanians are very welcoming, they welcomed us arms wide open. I am glad and grateful to be here, it is a completely new experience for me. … You know, the weather is not that different. The landscape and the terrain are different, also the animals, I saw a bear in the forest and it was quite impressive”.

     

    Captain Pierre-Louis has no doubts about the mission and purpose of NATO’s presence in Romania:

     

    “First of all, we are here as part of bilateral agreements with Romania within NATO to strengthen the ties between allies, to train together and to deter and be ready to respond to current threats to Romania or perhaps even the whole of Europe. Secondly, it is very important for us to know our allies, to train together and to prepare for the future. The motto of our regiment is ‘Victoria Pinget’, which would roughly translate as ‘Only victory is dignifying’. And we try to do that every day!” Captain Pierre Louis added. (written by Bogdan Dinu, translated by VP)

  • Joint training of Spanish military of the NATO Battle group and the Romanian Mountain Hunters.

    Joint training of Spanish military of the NATO Battle group and the Romanian Mountain Hunters.

    Joint training of Spanish military of the NATO Battle group and the Romanian Mountain Hunters.
    Scout militaries of the Mountain Hunters’ 61st Brigade jointly with the Spanish military Battle group, for two weeks running took a training stage hosted by the training camp in Diham, Brasov County.

    For the Spanish military, training in Romania was, to put it at the mildest, unusual, since they are Marines special corps, whereas their training in Romania took place in the Carpathians’ snow-covered forests and peaks.

    Training in the mountains offered militaries of both armies the opportunity to share their professional experience in a bid to enhance the interoperability level using joint procedures in various tactical operations. The forested mountain terrain, difficult to access, strengthened the team spirit and the sense of belonging to the great NATO family.

    These are the thoughts shared by the commander of the Spanish contingent, major Alejandro Caballero:

    “By all means, the climate here is quite different from the one we have in southern Spain, where we come from. There are a great many differences, also, if we speak about the terrain where we train, that is on the coast and in the littoral area. And now, here we are now, in the mountains, in winter, rubbing shoulders with our Romanian partners, an opportunity for us to prove our flexibility and adaptability, irrespective of the environment. Regarding the training exercises, they are similar, as both Romania and our country are NATO member states, so there are not that many differences, considering the implemented techniques, tactics and procedures. I take into account any opportunity to train jointly with military of other states who are stationed here, in Romania, so for us it is a tremendous opportunity. “

    Attending the joint Romanian-Spanish training stage was the new commander of the NATO Battle group in Romania, French colonel Thierry Denechaud.

    Colonel Denechaud had this to say on the joint training exercise:

    “First of all, I believe it is very important that joint action be taken, given that the Spanish militaries are part of a marine infantry contingent. It was for the first time ever when they trained in a mountain area, therefore, jointly with their Romanian partners, they made the first step towards the discovery of an environment they are not quite used to. I am positive that as part of the camp they learned many new and useful things, that is why, at the end of the week, they will return to the military base better prepared in that particular kind of training. Which is very good. “

    A team of US Army’s Civil Affairs and representatives of the 1st CIMIC Battalion, a civilians-militaries cooperation body of the Romanian Ground Forces were in Timisoara, in the west, for a new stage of the CIMIC Victory exercise. CIMIC Victory’s stated aims are the enhancement of the cooperation between institutions and the promotion of the strategic partnership between Romania and the Unites States.

    Captain Connor Smith is the leader of the US team. Captain Smith spoke about the relevance of the project.

    “US Army’s Civil Affairs mainly deal in the coordination and the management of military activities related to the communities revolving around the military operations. In Romania, that basically means training. We provided help keeping the authorities at the level of public institutions informed about the training exercises. We make sure such aspects as the convoys entering and getting out of the training areas do not interfere that much with the people’s daily traffic or day-to-day life.

    This morning I’ve been to a high-school in Timisoara, via the American Corner, which is the US Embassy’s program, where we participate in a bid to speak about the value of the US partnership in Romania and the importance of Romania being a NATO member state. We’re going to speak a little bit about the security provided by collective defense, one of the Alliance’s fundamental principles, also talking about the value of the bilateral partnership between the United States and Romania. “

  • “Le premier, toujours le premier!”

    “Le premier, toujours le premier!”

    Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Renault of the 1st Riflemen Regiment in Epinal was  for the last four months. For him, the time spent in Romania as chief of operations of the “Sevastopol” NATO Battle Group in Romania, also known as the Aigle Mission, were extraordinary. It was a special experience, both for him and for the young French soldiers under his command. Born in Orleans, a city located 120 kilometers south of Paris, Guillaume Renault spent the four months in Cincu, Brașov County, but also in other locations across the country, as the Battle Group takes part in nearly all of NATO national and multinational exercises in Romania.

     

    “For us it is a good opportunity to change tactics, to familiarize ourselves with Romanian weapons, to see how both sides train, both French and Romanian. I spoke to my soldiers and they told me they were very happy to discover so many new things here, because they were not used to such experiences in France. It is a very good opportunity and I really hope that we will strengthen this collaboration and conduct more such exercises”, Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Renault said. Guillaume Renault is part of the 1st Riflemen Regiment, which is garrisoned in the city of Epinal, in the Vosges department, Lorraine region. The regiment, currently a mechanized infantry regiment, is one of the best-known in France. It was re-established in 1994, although it carried over the traditions of the North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian) rifle regiments that were created in 1841. It is subordinated to the French 7th Armored Brigade from Besançon, which provides most of the French troops to the NATO Battle Group in Romania. “Premier, toujours le premier!” is the regiment’s motto, which says it all. In the last four months, the typical duration of a French rotation in Romania, Guillaume Renault has worked hard to prepare the Battle Group for major NATO exercises due this spring. “Currently, the battalion is made up of various units from France, Belgium, Luxembourg and recently, also from Spain. And in the last exercise in the DACIAN series that was led by our brigade, we put into practice the same ideas and objectives as in this year’s exercise, DACIAN SPRING 25, only this will be a much broader exercise, with numerous troops arriving here in Romania from France”, Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Renault said.

     

    Although he found Romania quite similar to France in many ways, Guillaume Renault’s biggest regret, upon leaving the country in January, was that his position did not leave him enough time to get to know more places and people in Romania. However, he likes Romanian food and it was interesting to sample new dishes, make new friends and discover local customs. (VP)

  • Troops deployment for Steadfast Dart 25

    Troops deployment for Steadfast Dart 25

    Little time is left until the opening of the biggest drill staged by NATO this year. Held in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania over February 10th and 21st, «Steadfast Dart 25» brings together 10 thousand servicemen from 9 allied countries able to participate in all kind of ground, air, sea and special operations. Through this complex troops deployment, the drill emphasizes the multi-domain capabilities of NATO and its unflinching commitment to collective defence. Spain, which is heading the Joint Special Operations Command, will deploy 3 thousand troops, as well as gear and transport planes. Special operations cannot be done by conventional troops as they involve special procedures for any situation, in order to reach strategic, operational or tactic objectives and to achieve military objectives.

    According to the Spanish Defence Ministry, several transport alternatives have been used for the deployment of troops and equipment, combining air, sea, rail and road transportation. So, the ship carrying the most part of the troops set sail in Almeria and landed the contingent in the Greek port of Alexandroupolis. The equipment and vehicles were carried by trains towards rail terminals in Dumbrăveni and Voila (Romania), and from there their deployment to Cincu, in central Romania, was made by road. Five air missions were scheduled for the transport of 261 tactic vehicles and 58 containers. This has been a complex, large-scale deployment mainly involving ground units and special operation units due to the large number of personnel, the equipment and vehicles involved.

    Several days ahead of the aforementioned operation, the Spanish servicemen part of the NATO battle Group deployed in Cincu had completed the Eagle Thunder exercise which focused on the implementation of the firing capabilities of the Spanish detachment with both daytime and nighttime activities. Initiatives such as «Eagle Thunder» are proving the detachment’s readiness and determination to contribute to the security and stability of the allies in the region, reiterating the allies’ commitment to the defence and deterrence policy of NATO’s eastern flank.

    The last F-16 Fighting Falcon, Romania purchased from Norway, has touched down at the 71 Air Base “General Emanoil Ionescu” in Câmpia Turzii (central Romania) to complete the 48 Fighting Squadron, which boasts 16 aircraft. The purchase of the F-16s and the related packages of goods and services, is aimed at increasing Romania’s security through the defence of the national/NATO airspace in time of peace and crisis situations through the Permanent Air Policing under NATO command.

    The Romanian Defence Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, has received the Italian ambassador to Romania, Alfredo Durante Mangoni. One of the issues on the agenda was the importance of carrying on the joint drills aimed at contributing to raising interoperability at the allied level. Italy’s contribution with troops and equipment to NATO drills «Steadfast Dart 25» and «Sea Shield 25» has been hailed. The Romanian official has conveyed thanks to Italy for the support it offered to the countries in NATO’s Eastern Flank, mainly for its participation in the strengthened air-policing missions in Romania, including this year as well as for its contribution to the allied structures on the Romanian territory.

    (bill)

     

  • Changes in the French contingent of the NATO Battle Group

    Changes in the French contingent of the NATO Battle Group

    Colonel Thierry Denechaud took over the command of the Allied Battle Group in Romania from Colonel Jean Michelin, in a ceremony at the Cincu National Training Center (central Romania). The French forces deployed within the Group also changed, soldiers from the 5th Dragoon Regiment replacing those from the 1st Rifle Regiment. The French soldiers who carried out their mission in Romania “are returning home to their families with a sense of accomplishment after encountering many challenges during the operation”, the French Armed Forces stated.

    Last year, the multinational battalion participated in “Dacian Fall,” an exercise that validated the French military’s ability to plan the deployment of a brigade-level tactical command center from France to Romania and its integration into a NATO division. French soldiers from the ninth rotation of the Battle Group also took part in numerous exercises together with their Romanian, Portuguese, Polish and North Macedonian partners. The main challenge this year for the tenth rotation of the French army contingents in the NATO Battle Group is the “Dacian Spring” exercise, which will involve the increase of the forces up to the level of a brigade, i.e. 5,000 soldiers.

    Meanwhile, the militaries of the countries contributing forces to this Allied Group continue their joint training exercises. The Spanish military recently arrived in Romania participated in “Eagle Thunder”, an exercise with real combat firing. Also them, in partnership with the Belgian soldiers from the Group and the Portuguese soldiers from the South-East Multinational Brigade, carried out the “Eagle Trench” exercise, which aimed to train the troops in urban combat.

    In another Battle Group out of the eight that the North Atlantic Alliance has on the eastern flank, the one in Slovakia, the anti-tank detachment that Romania deployed there began its mission. In the Lest Training Center, the Romanian soldiers from the first rotation of the detachment will train in a multinational context until July 2025, together with soldiers from the Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. And in Bulgaria, the NATO Battle Group under Italian command includes, starting this month, a research detachment of the Romanian armed forces.

    These days, with a view to participating in the multinational exercise “Steadfast Dart 25”, deployments on Romanian soil of military equipment and personnel belonging to the armed forces of the United Kingdom have been announced. The exercise is part of the series of planned training activities at NATO level and has the main goal of strengthening the responsiveness and interoperability of the participating forces. The British units will transit and carry out activities in various areas of Romania, in cooperation with the national forces and those of other allied states deployed here. The military equipment belonging to the French armed forces participating in this exercise will arrive by rail, most likely on February 2.

    The Romanian Ministry of Defense has stated that NATO exercises such as “Steadfast Dart” are defensive and transparent, being carried out with full respect for Romania’s international obligations. The exercise was planned last year, and for the first time since its establishment on July 1, 2024, the Allied Reaction Force will practice a deployment of troops and military equipment in an operational context. The exercise will demonstrate NATO’s ability to activate the Allied Reaction Force and coordinate its rapid transition. The exercise is taking place in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, with the participation of more than 10,000 soldiers from Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey. (MI)

  • Romania. The Eastern Flank

    Romania. The Eastern Flank

    Beginning January 2025, Romania has expanded its presence, in terms of number of military and capabilities, to two more NATO battle groups that have been operational in the allied countries as part of NATO’s eastern flank. The Romanian army has sent an anti-tank detachment in Slovakia and a reconnaissance unit in Bulgaria. Concurrently, Romania has continued its participation to the battle group in Poland, with an anti-aircraft detachment.

    As part of NATO’s Summit held in Madrid in 2022, the decision was taken, of establishing multinational battle groups in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, as part of the strengthening of the joint defense measures along the North-Atlantic Alliance’s Eastern Flank. Those battle groups have been founded after the pattern of those in the Baltic States and Poland which were established after the allied Summit held in Warsaw in 2016.

    The battle group in Slovakia is coordinated by Spain and includes military of the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia. In Bulgaria, the battle group is coordinated by Italy, with contributions from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Turkey and the USA.

    The expansion of Romania’s contribution to the implementation of the allied measures of deterrence and defense has completed the presence of Romanian military to the battle group in Poland, where the Romanian Army has been participating since 2017. Romania’s presence to the North-Atlantic Alliance’s Battle Groups stands proof of Romania’s unwavering commitment for the strengthening of the collective defense along the Eastern Flank.

    NATO Battle Group in Romania has France as its framework-nation. The contributor states are Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. Romania’s battle group, alongside the battle group in Bulgaria are under the coordination of the Commander of the Headquarters of the Multinational Division South-East in Bucharest.
    The 360-degree approach in the field of defense and deterrence, implemented by NATO, has as its eventual aim the provision of collective security, It defines the Alliance’s three main tasks: deterrence and defense, the prevention and the management of crises and security through cooperation.
    At present, Romania contributes to maintaining the regional and global security with more than 1,000 military.

    Romania also takes part in some of the European Union’s missions and operations. To that effect, Romania holds the command of the Training mission of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic. Also, these days Romania will take over the command of the EUFOR ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Romania is the major contributor.

    Accordingly, of the nine military operations and missions carried under the aegis of the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy, to which it contributes military forces and capabilities, Romanian will simultaneously have the command of two of those operations.

    Security in the Black Sea region, the strengthening of the defense dimension as part of the strategic partnership between Romania and Great Britain, as well as the enhancement of cooperation within the allied structures: those were the topics on the agenda of the talks the Romanian Defense Minister, Angel Tâlvăr, had with the British Ambassador to Romania, His Excellency Giles Matthew Portman.

    High on the talks’ agenda was the strengthening of the defense stance and deterrence along NATO’s eastern flank, with special emphasis laid on the Black Sea region, given the ongoing security challenges.

    The Romanian Defense Minister emphasized Romania’s intention to continue the development of its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom through its active involvement in joint security and defense initiatives. To that effect, Angel Talvar also mentioned the support of Ukraine against Russia’s aggression and the consolidation of the support offered to republic of Moldova, with a view to strengthening stability and security in the region.

  • Changing command at the anti-missile defence facility in Deveselu

    Changing command at the anti-missile defence facility in Deveselu

    The new commander of the U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System Romania, also known as USAAMDSRO, is the US Commanding Officer Robert Foster. He took over the command of the aforementioned facility from Commanding Officer Matthew Iwanczuk, during a change of command ceremony held in Deveselu, southern Romania, sources with the US Sixth Fleet have announced. Iwanczuk took command in September 2023. Commander Foster was born in Tennessee and earned his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2007. He served as executive officer aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale and most recently served as the staff of Commander, Naval Force Atlantic.

    At the change of command ceremony, Robert Foster said quote, “for the last 75 years, NATO has been a cornerstone of an international order based on rules where diplomacy, not force, is the means of resolving conflicts. Too many would use violence or the threat of violence to coerce others into accepting their demands. We exist so any such strike would be blunted, and in doing so make those considering such action doubt their ability to achieve their aims by violence” unquote.

    USAAMDSRO is under the operational control of the US 6th Fleet based in Naples, Italy and is part of the European Phased Adapted Approach (EPAA), which protects NATO Allies and U.S. deployed forces in the region. This land-based missile defence facility is designed to detect, track, engage and destroy ballistic missiles in flight outside the atmosphere.

    NSF Deveselu provides essential support to USAAMDSRO in core mission areas such as safety, security and quality of life and works with the Romanian 99th Military Base to ensure the security and safety of the USAAMDSRO site.

    In another development, the US ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, and the Romanian Defence Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, have visited Airbase 57 in Mihail Kogălniceanu (south-eastern Romania), where they met the US, Romanian, Spanish and French servicemen deployed there and also with part of the military attaches of NATO countries accredited. The two officials showed interest in the stage of the development works of the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase part of a 2.5 billion euro project unfolding on 20 years. It was ambassador Kavalec’s fourth visit at the aforementioned base and she had several precise objectives.

    «First I came here to meet with the US troops serving here on a rotational basis at this airbase and to see how they are doing. Second to see the progress that is being made as Romania is investing quite a bit of funds to improve this important airbase, which is among the most important in NATO, which helps the eastern flank, the Black Sea area. So, it is very exciting to see the progress that it’s being made in expanding the base and the capabilities not only to serve as a launching pad in airbase but also to house troops, including American troops. Today I had the opportunity to meet with American troops, but also with Spanish, French and Romanian troops. So that is one of the reasons that I am here.  In this particular visit we met with NATO attaches, military attaches who are here, also to get a briefing on the improvements that have been made and the progress in expanding the base and to discuss some of the common challenges that we all face as NATO allies. And finally I am here just to wish and thank all of the Romanians who are making this possible to thank them for the efforts and wish them happy holidays in this season.”

    Roughly 4 thousand US troops are presently serving on a rotational basis at the Airbase 57 in Mihail Kogalniceanu and when the project is finished the base will be able to house nearly 10 thousand troops.

    (bill)

     

  • Joint NATO-Romania exercises

    Joint NATO-Romania exercises

    Military of the US Army’s 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Romania have carried an exercise meant to strengthen the and antimissile integrated capabilities through the rapid deployment of the SHORAD systems. SHORAD have been specially conceived to counter the low-altitude threats and in a bid to secure NATO’s air space.

    Southern Shield 24 has been coordinated by US Army Command in Europe, jointly with the Romanian military structures. According to the US Embassy in Bucharest, the exercise ties in with NATO’s extended objectives, in a bid to promote and provide cohesion among the allied forces, at once ensuring stability and safety of NATO member states.

    Captain Kurt Blumeyer is the commander of the 1st Battalion’s Alpha Company as part of the 57th regiment. Captain Blumeyer thinks the participation, in Romania, in such n exercise is a message proving the US allies’ determination for the defense of NATO space.

    Captain Blumeyer said “We’re in north-eastern Romania for a routine exercise with our Romanian partners as well as with other US army structures, first of all to prove our rapid reaction force, with an anti-aircraft battery, so we can demonstrate this capability to swiftly reach anywhere along the eastern flank and provide feasible anti-aircraft forces in combat.

    Another thing that we do is to assure our allies we are determined to defend their air space, both the Romanians and the other allies taking part in the exercise, together with the rest of NATO alliance. And everybody understands that. “ US Army captain Kurt Blumeyer went on to say.

    Matthew Eickmeyer is a sergeant first class in the US Army. He is a platoon sergeant in are the 1st Battalion’s Alpha battery of the same regiment. At present he is posted in Romania, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in the south-east. Jointly with his platoon, sergeant Eickmeyer participates in the Southern Shield exercise for a couple of days.

    Here is what sergeant Eickmeyer said, quote, “We participate in an exercise testing my platoon’s capacity to act as a rapid reaction task force in the case of a threat. This is only a swift and brief exercise testing the abilities of our platoon. I am very proud of my soldiers; from the very moment they wake up when the day begins until the moment they lay their heads on the pillow at the end of the day. I am proud of everything they have achieved, proud of everything they accomplish day by day.

    Ever since this unit has been activated, a year ago, I was very enthused because of everything they have done and how much they have grown and how much they have achieved throughout the year. The eventual aim of this endeavor is to secure the Romanian partners and show them we defend each and every centimeter of NATO territory, not only on the ground, but also in the air. ”

    Also taking part in the Southern Shield exercise carried in Romania was the commander of the 52nd Anti-Aircraft defense Brigade stationed in Sembach, Germany. Colonel Hailey Bairu stated that everything that has been established though partnerships or joint understandings needs to be tested through such exercises. “Our leaders have spoken about how important our allies are, in the defense of Europe and what we do here, in Romania, is the implementation of this alliance.

    A partnership works only when we have proven our interoperability capacity as well as our ability to communicate, personally, tactically, but also at systemic level. Therefore, what we do here, in Romania, is to exert our ability to integrate with our Romanian allies.

    We are here on the eastern flank deploying an anti-aircraft and anti-missile system to make sure we can connect with them when the time comes and when it is needed to defend Europe’s each square centimeter, just as our leaders have said”, colonel Bairu stated.

  • Romania. The Eastern Flank: Spanish F18 Hornet aircraft hunt drones in Romanian skies

    Romania. The Eastern Flank: Spanish F18 Hornet aircraft hunt drones in Romanian skies

    Spanish F18 Hornet aircraft are hunting drones in the sky of Romania, within NATO’s airspace. Several times in the last two months, the residents of Constanța County, on the shores of the Black Sea, have received alarm messages from the Ro-Alert system on their phones advising them to take shelter because objects may fall from the sky. What in the last year was happening only on the northern border of the Chilia arm of the Danube Delta, in the direct vicinity of Ukraine, at Ismail or Chilia Veche, is suddenly also happening in a large city in Romania. And the noise of military planes flying over the city at low altitude shows that the hybrid war, the electronic war or simply the war of drones launched by the Russian Federation has also reached Constanța.

     

    In the cockpit of the military planes that fly over the city of Constanța, alongside the Romanian F16 aircraft, there are also pilots of the Spanish F18 aircraft from the “Guard” squadron of the Spanish Air and Space Forces who have been performing reinforced air policing missions here for four months, starting in August. They are stationed at the 57th Air Base “Căpitan aviator Constantin Cantacuzino” from Mihail Kohălniceanu, just a few kilometers north of Constanta and are the first to take off in such cases. After receiving the “alpha scramble” mission (a real interception mission), the pilots of the three aircraft permanently on alert (in total 8 aircraft are deployed here), run to the aircraft and in a few minutes (15 minutes) take off. Lieutenant-Colonel Rafael Ichaso Franco, commander of the “Guard” squadron, said: “We act on such real interception missions as a rule with two F18 Hornet aircraft and we try to locate and identify the drones with the help of the equipment on board our planes.”

     

    We also asked the commander of the detachment if it is true that all the real interception missions of late have been caused by drones that have reached our airspace or its proximity: “Yes, we can say that, but I must specify that, when we take off, we don’t know what the situation is, which aerial targets we are talking about, but in general you are right, recently these aerial targets reported were drones of the Russian Federation.” Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Ichaso Franco confirmed.

     

    When visiting them at the airfield, the alarm cell was manned by pilots from the 12th Aviation Wing in Torrejon, 24-26-year-olds, jovial and enthusiastic, who, despite their age, fly aircraft worth tens of millions of euros. Major Juan Enrique Lopez, chief of operations within the detachment, said: “We had some issues related to drones considering that, in today’s real world, drones are a significant threat. But fighting them really remains a challenge, it’s a challenge to manage to control the situation and keep NATO’s airspace safe.”

     

    Another problem is the visual identification of these relatively small drones, especially when flying an F18 aircraft. Major Lopez also gave us some explanations: “They are small aerial targets and due to the material they are made of, the reflection surface is also very small. But we have certain sensors and equipment on our aircraft that can pick up the thermal signature, the source of heat given off by the drone’s engine, and so we can locate it. The real challenge in locating drones is to visually identify them, especially since they are painted black and launched at night, but we eventually succeed because we have a lot of sensors that are effective even in low light conditions, night vision and infrared missiles,” Major Lopez concluded.

     

    The mission of the Spanish pilots and F18 aircraft will end here in Romania on November 30. The Russian Federation’s drones will certainly continue to test the Alliance’s airspace as part of a hard-to-control hybrid war. (Bogdan Dinu, LS)

  • Allied naval missions and training sessions at the Black Sea

    Allied naval missions and training sessions at the Black Sea

     

    On November 4th through 9th, Romania’s Naval Forces took part in the POSEIDON 24 multinational exercise, organised by Bulgaria in its territorial waters. The “Grigore Antipa” diving support vessel participated in the training sessions, providing hyperbaric care, maritime research and search and rescue services. The exercise was aimed at improving the inter-operability of the participating structures, and focused on strengthening operational capabilities by practising NATO procedures and combat tactics.

     

    “POSEIDON is an annual exercise, organised alternatively by Romania and Bulgaria, and its main goal is to enhance the inter-operability of participating structures,” said the vessel commander, Cristian Mitu. Also taking part in the exercise were the minesweeper “Lt. Dimitrie Nicolescu”, alongside the other vessels in the Romanian-Bulgarian-Turkish task force for countering naval mines in the Black Sea, which has convened for the 3rd time this year. The partner vessels in Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey are conducting operations to ensure safe navigation and to remove prospective threats to sea shipping, such as naval mines.

     

    Early this year, in an official ceremony in Istanbul, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding on setting up a mine clearing vessel group in the Black Sea for a period of 3 years.

     

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    Polish troops in the Multinational Brigade South-East, hosted by Romania, celebrated Poland’s Independence Day on November 11. Poland has contributed 225 troops to 26th Infantry Battalion in Craiova (south). On November 11, Poland celebrates regaining its independence in 1918, after 123 years it had been divided between Austro-Hungary, Prussia and Russia.

    “Even if we are far from Poland, we marked this day in a significant manner. We’ve had a military ceremony attended by our own troops as well as guests from other countries: Romania, North Macedonia, Portugal and France. The Ambassador of Poland and the military attache in Romania were also present, as were Polish officers from other international Allied structures. The ceremony included promotions, decoration of troops and speeches on the importance of Independence Day. Then we had a festive lunch where we told stories and enjoyed each other’s company. There are customs that connect us to our country even when we are far away. On Independence Day we put on our uniforms, raise Poland’s flag and acknowledge the merits of our soldiers. We also take a moment to honour those who fought for our independence. All these help us feel closer to our heritage and remind ourselves of our duty as soldiers. It is a way to connect to Poland’s values, wherever we are,” the head of the Polish unit major Michal Miedzielski told us.

  • Romania. Eastern Flank: Dacian Fall 2024, the largest NATO exercise this autumn

    Romania. Eastern Flank: Dacian Fall 2024, the largest NATO exercise this autumn

    The multinational exercise Dacian Fall 2024 of the Command of the Multinational Division Southeast took place between October 14-31 in the Getica National Joint Training Center in Cincu (in central Romania). The exercise was attended by approximately 1,500 soldiers from Romania, Belgium, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, the United States of America and France, as a framework nation, simultaneously in the Cincu, Smârdan (east), Capu Midia (south- east) and Bogata (northwest).

     

    Brigadier General Loïc Girard, France’s high military representative in Romania, present at the event, said that quote: ‘The scenario of the exercise was a fictitious one, in which we faced a potential aggressor-enemy. We aimed, through this scenario, to be able to regroup and have a good overall maneuvering of the entire joint and combined arms capability. You saw, at the beginning of the exercise, fighter jets from Spain, fighter jets from Romania, helicopters, drones, battle tanks, reconnaissance vehicles and so on. So, all of these capabilities are able to deploy, train and eventually fight if needed, said Loïc Girard.

     

    Participating in the exercise were also IAR 330 Puma Socat and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, as well as F-18 aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, deployed in our country for the Enhanced Air Policing service. The exercise is part of the series of training events aimed at strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense posture on the alliance’s eastern flank.

     

    On the other hand, the Romanian Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, met the other day in Bucharest with his counterpart from the Kingdom of Norway, Bjørn Arild Gram. The discussions between the two officials focused on topical issues regarding regional security in the context of the conflict in Ukraine and the impact of the war in the neighboring country on the regions of strategic importance for Romania and Norway: the Black Sea, the Western Balkans and the Far North.

     

    The substantial support that Norway provides to Romania in relation to the purchase of an advanced Patriot surface-to-air missile system was another important topic of discussion. The financial contribution of approximately 127 million dollars offered by Norway to Romania is provided within the Immediate Action on Air Defense Initiative, coordinated by Germany. This funding reflects Norway’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the concrete support given to Romania in replacing the Patriot system Romanian donated to Ukraine.

     

    Also in Bucharest, the Secretary of State for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations, Simona Cojocaru, received the visit of her German counterpart, Benedikt Zimmer, Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Defense. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen strategic dialogue and deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. The talks between the two officials focused on the global and regional security situation, with an emphasis on the latest developments in the conflict in Ukraine and their impact on European security. The Romanian official emphasized the importance of continuing support for Ukraine, especially in the context of recent Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, and highlighted Romania’s contribution by donating a Patriot system, essential for the defense of the Ukrainian airspace. (LS, Andra Barbul)

  • Romania plays host to the Dacian Fall 2024 multinational exercise

    Romania plays host to the Dacian Fall 2024 multinational exercise

    Roughly 1,500 military from Belgium, France, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and USA, for 17 days running carry activities in Romanian training ranges, in Cincu, Smârdan, Capu Midia and Bogata. The activities are integrated in the Dacian Fall 2024 multinational exercise.

    The exercise is planned and run by the DAFA 24 Headquarters Multinational South-East Division. It targets the integration, at division level, of NATO forces and capabilities stationed on Romanian territory, but also the enhancement of structures’ interoperability for the coordination of military operations. The exercise is a seasonal one, planned and implemented for the consolidation of NATO’s role as deterrent on the Eastern flank.

    Taking part in the exercise are forces of the Headquarters Multinational Brigade South-East, the French Task Force Brigade Headquarters, The Forward Command Element of the French Brigade, NATO Battle Group in Romania. Also taking part in the exercise are the 83rd Mixed Artillery Regiment and the 83rd Tactical Operative rocket-launching Battalion. Also involved in the exercise are elements of Romanian Air Forces, actually the IAR 330 Puma Socat and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrafts of the 71st Airbase, and the Spanish Air Forces’ F-18 Hornet aircrafts, stationed in Romania to carry Enhanced Air Police Missions.

    In 2024, the training sequence is a preparatory stage ahead of the Dacian Spring 2025 exercise, meant to strengthen NATO’s rapid deployment capacity on the Eastern flank. As part of the exercise, as an absolute first, in 10 days’ time France will deploy brigade-level forces and capabilities. Deterrence is a key element of NATO’s general strategy in a bid to prevent conflicts, but also with a view to protecting the Allies and maintaining their freedom of decision.

    Three other F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrafts Romania purchased from Norway, on Thursday, October 24, landed in the 71st Airbase in Campia Turzii. The aircrafts will go to the 48th Fighter Squadron, being the fourth batch of three aircrafts that have arrived in the country. The reception of the entire batch will most likely be completed in a year.

    The fighter jets are delivered in an operational condition, the available resource ensuring their operation for a timeframe of at least 10 years, which is the transition period towards the 5th-generation aircrafts. The purchase of aircrafts and of the goods and services package ensures the enhancement of national security through the defense of Romania’s national space and the North Atlantic Alliance’s eastern flank.

    The Romanian National Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, held a meeting with Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency president, Haluk Görgü. Talks focused on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. Special emphasis was laid on industrial partnerships and technology transfer. Minister Tilvar highlighted the recent achievements in the field, that including the purchase of the Bayraktar TB2 systems and the cooperation with Otokar arms company.

    Two officers of the Sibiu-based “Nicolae Balcescu” Ground Forces Academy, in Madrid participated in the familiarization course focusing on the Sectorial Qualification Framework for the Profession of Army Officer. Organized under the aegis of the European Security and Defense College, the course focused on the formation of the basic skills required for the standardization of selected national military qualifications.

  • Recent joint training sessions held on Romanian territory

    Recent joint training sessions held on Romanian territory

    The French colleagues of the NATO fighting group stationed in Romania, last week celebrated the 2024 edition of Goût de France, a Taste of France. The event was staged in a bid to promote French gastronomy. Attending were officials of Fagaras Municipality, Brasov County School Inspectorate, as well as partners, sponsors, collaborators and various other guests.

    The atmosphere was extraordinary, with top-flight participation. The Aurel Vijoli Technological High School/The French Vocational School in Fagaras, in partnership with the Brasov French Alliance, the French Consular Agency in Brasov, with the AIGLE-NATO Mission representatives in Cincu made a team, with the contribution of each member being extremely important. The high school pupils currently on a programme enabling them to become cooks, waiters or pastry cooks took the opportunity and enjoyed a hands-on experience in the preparation of dishes, salty or sweet, dishes that were then on display, much to the delight of the people attending.

    It was the perfect opportunity for participants to learn secrets of the French cuisine, but also to promote army cooks’ skills and culture.

    A joint urban warfare training session with NATO allies has been scheduled on the premises of the Getica National Joint Training Centre in Cincu, central Romania. The joint combat exercise targets the practice of procedures in urban warfare, together with the allies. In the Cincu Centre, the Dolj 20 Infantry Battalion troops continued their training, jointly with contingents from North Macedonia, Poland and Portugal. The troops carried a situational training exercise as part of the BLACK SCORPION 24 multinational exercise.

    The key objectives of the exercise were the improvement of interoperability and the joint training, mounted in order to cope with the international challenges, the learning and sharing of advanced attack tactics, as well as the capturing of strategic positions using modern infiltration, together with assault techniques.

    Also, training has been conducted for the defence of urban territory and the management of resources, in a bid to resist long-term enemy attacks. Such exercises are crucial in their bid to make sure armed forces are prepared to cope with the complex challenges of urban warfare.
    NATO fight groups are an obvious proof of the solidarity within the Alliance, of the determination and the capacity to defend NATO population and territory against any possible aggression.

    As an absolute first, on October 16, the Veterans’ Relay, now reaching its 11th edition and jointly carried by representatives of the Invictus Association in Romania and the Romanian Ground Forces, was received at the headquarters of the Caracal-based (in the south) 22 Infantry battalion by the command of the battalion. After that, the Romanati 22 Infantry Battalion, together with their Portuguese and North-Macedonian partners, passed the baton, after a 55-kilometer-long route, to representative of the Tudor Vladimirescu National Military College in the Craiova garrison (in the south). Jointly staged with the Invictus Romania Association, the event was held against the backdrop of the celebration, on October 25th, of Romanian Army Day.

  • Romania played host to the Land Corps’ Commanders Conference

    Romania played host to the Land Corps’ Commanders Conference

    The South-East Multinational Corps in Sibiu (Central Romania) has recently played host to the 25th edition of the Land Corps’ Commanders Conference. Land corps commanders of the allied states convened for a series of high-ranking talks focusing on land command and control, operational planning, but also on the proper integration of the land forces into NATO’s strategic framework.

    For the Romanian Army’s Media Agency, here is what the Commander of NATO’s Allied Land Headquarters, general Darryl Williams, said “the Black Sea region is very important for the security of the Alliance as a whole, while Romania, through the South-East Multinational Corps is the guaranteeing entity for stability and security in this NATO region.”

    Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tilvar in Bucharest has recently met his Portuguese counterpart, Nuno Melo, who paid a visit to several military structures in Romania. The two ministers held talks on the cooperation in the field of security and joint exercises and initiatives. The Portuguese army has a company in Romania as part of the Craiova-based South-east Multinational Brigade, as well as military in the structures hosted by Romania.

    Minister Tilvar stated Romania and Portugal enjoyed mutual support in the management of the security challenges the two countries face in their regions. Nuno Melo also paid a visit to the Galati Damen Shipyard in the east. We recall the construction in underway, in the Damen Shipyard, of a drone carrier for the Portuguese Military Navy. The contract was signed in November 2023 following a tender.

    The project is financed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Program. The ship will carry unmanned underwater, surface and air vehicles. The delivery of the ship was estimated for 2026.
    The North-Atlantic Alliance has dispatched to Romania an AWACS air surveillance aircraft, in a bid to support the Allies’ strengthened presence in the region and in order to monitor the Russian Federation’s military activity.

    According to the Allied Air Commander, the enhanced vigilance in the Romanian air space was legitimate. It had the purpose of strengthening Romania’s capacity to respond to the increased air activity in the vicinity of its borders. Among other reasons, the Alliance took such a measure in the wake of Russia’s recent drone attacks on objectives in Ukraine. The attacks trespassed into Romania’s air space, while pieces of the drone fell on Romanian territory.

    Romania Navy’s Dredger 30 has returned to Constanta Military Port in the south-east. We recall the dredger took part in the second activation of the Operative group for combating sea mines in the Black Sea. For ten days running, the Romanian vessel, jointly with a mine sweeper and a logistics ship, both from Turkey, and accompanied by another mine sweeper of the Bulgarian Navy carried sea surveillance and research missions in a bid to eliminate the danger of mines and to ensure Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. MCM Black Sea, the Operative group for combating sea mines in the Black Sea, is a three-party initiative of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. The initiative contributes to strengthening the ties with the Allies as well as to the enhancement of the interoperability level between the crews of the partner ships.

    Allied troops from Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxemburg, North Macedonia, Polonia, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey and Great Britain, jointly with Romanian Army’s Mountain Hunters, until October 11 participate in the Sarmis-Olt 24. Exercise. The exercise seeks to train and perfect the military’s abilities to activate in a multinational and inter-institutional framework, laying emphasis on interoperability and cooperation between the participating structures.