JTF-E training kicks off in Romania

MIKHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania (Army News Service, Jul. 10, 2008) -- A June 30 ceremony marked the official beginning of Joint Task Force-East's second annual rotation.

Building on last year's training, this rotation will offer Soldiers an opportunity to train in a joint and combined environment.

"Let us strive to build on the success of the previous events and forge a path forward that enhances a future cooperation and security between our great countries," said Lt. Col. Michael Borg, commander of Task Force Vampire, the name of the American contingent training here.

JTF-East's main mission is to have U.S. rotational units train with and build enhanced relationships with Romanian and Bulgarian units. There are about 900 U.S. service members and civilian personnel at the base in Romania.

Besides improving combat skills, the training also allows countries that fight together in Iraq and Afghanistan to train together, officials said.

"The military area we fight in is so small and the probability to meet again in a real combat situation is very high," said Lt. Col. Florin Stan, 21st Mountain Battalion commander.

The training will also test command and control capabilities for future brigade-sized deployment.

Equipping and supplying the exercises happening at Mikhail Kogalniceanu Airfield is no small task. It takes a great deal of equipment, personnel and supplies to keep a training rotation like Joint Task Force-East operating at peak efficiency.

At MK Airfield, it is the job of one nine-person team to ensure this equipment gets here safe and on time.

"We keep track of everything that is supposed to come in here," said 1st Lt. Richard Rogers, the JTF-E Movement Control Team officer in charge. "Whether it comes by highway, rail, and air or occasionally by sea, we make sure it properly clears host nation customs and is properly delivered."

Rogers and his team of Soldiers and civilians from the 39th Transportation Company in Kaiserslautern, Germany, track each vehicle and each piece of equipment from its point of origin to its final destination.

The majority of equipment used for training during JTF-E came to Romania by railroad. The rail shipment process begins with each unit providing a list of all equipment it needs, including exact weights and dimensions for each vehicle or box, said Ariff Paris, a traffic management officer from the 39th.

Paris emphasized the need for the exact weight and dimensions because it is from this information he and his crew will "create" the train.

"That means that we know which vehicle goes where on the rail cars," Paris said.

Paris and his team also take into consideration factors such as the size of tunnels in each country the train travels through in order to avoid oversized loads.

In addition to making sure all equipment arrives at its appointed destination, the MCT is in charge of making sure everything is returned to its point of origin at the completion of the exercises.

The importance of JTF-E guided training at MK Airbase does not go unnoticed by local, national or international leaders. On July 2, nearly 30 diplomatic, military and political leaders from several countries got a glimpse of Joint Task Force - East during a "Distinguished Visitors Day" tour here.

The tour is the second of its kind at JTF-E, and one of the day's highest-ranking U.S. visitors noted the operation's improvements.

"I was truly impressed then, but I am much more impressed now when I consider how far Romania and the U.S. have come in just one year," said Nicholas Taubman, U.S. ambassador to Romania.

The tour included a visit to Task Force Vampire's battalion military decision-making process center, a demonstration of the JTF-E Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, and photo display briefings on the medical, naval and military intelligence functions here.

There was also a chance for the visitors to mingle with Soldiers over lunch.

"I was happy to see an interest from so many high-ranking people in what we do here," said Sgt. Amy Latour, Headquarters and Headquarters Company JTF-E supply sergeant.

The day's events ended in a press conference and remarks by Taubman and Romanian Secretary of State Georgeta Ionescu.

Ionescu said the presence of American Soldiers here is greatly beneficial to the Romanian community and global security.

"The decision to make Romanian military facilities available to the U.S. Army contributes to the strengthening of national security and the strategic profile of Romania as an active NATO ally and a firm Euro-Atlantic partner in the fight against terrorism," said the state secretary.

Optical Team visits Romania

Release Date: Jul 11, 2008

by Sgt. David Chapman
30th Medical Brigade Public Affairs

MK AIRFIELD ADMINISTRATION CENTER, Romania — Two members of the Heidelberg Medical Activity are providing optical medical services to the citizens here during a Humanitarian Civic Assistance mission in cooperation with Joint Task Force-East.

Army Lt. Col. Dexel Peters, HMEDDAC chief of optometry and Army Staff Sgt. Jonathon Ivie, HMEDDAC noncommissioned officer in charge of ophthalmology, are performing eye exams and providing glasses to those in need throughout the month in July.

"Our mission here is to help the local Romanian population in the nearby villages to see better with the use of spectacles we are brining here from various donated sources as well as those purchased by Army funds," Peters said. "In addition we will provide some glaucoma screening services for the population. We are here to create good relations between the Romanian people and the U.S. military."

These donated glasses gave the gift of better seeing to those in the communities.

"We have about 400 pair of glasses. Most of the donations come from individuals in the Army who have donated glasses and some came from the Lions Club organization," Peters said, adding that about four or five thousand glasses were purchased for the mission.

Ivieeâ?s goals for the end of the mission are both professional and personal.

"I just want to help and educate as many people as I can while I am here,,â? he said. â?But I also want to gain more experience while I am here so that I can keep doing these missions and get better each time."

At the end of the mission the team hopes to have made a connection with the people of the small villages around Romania.

"I think this is a chance to make a friend. I hope that one day a kid or a brother can look back and say that an American came here and helped us out," Peters said.

Defence options put Romania in the hot seat

By Thomas Escritt in Bucharest

The Financial Times
Published: July 2 2008

Romania is reconsidering a planned €4.5bn jet fighter order to secure funds for other defence needs and please both the US and its European strategic partners.

The former communist country, which belongs to the European Union and Nato and hosts a small US base, is under pressure to choose between US and European defence companies for the fighter contract - and to find money for helicopters and other equipment needed to support its contingents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last year, the country's National Defence Council authorised spending up to €4.5bn ($7bn, £3.5bn) on 48 fighters to replace its ageing fleet of Mig-21s, which will no longer be airworthy after 2011. Officials say three companies - Lockheed Martin of the US, Sweden's Gripen and the Eurofighter consortium - will be invited to place bids later this year, with a final decision not expected until after general elections, which are likely to take place in November.

But some defence officials say Romania no longer needs four squadrons of fighters. Officials are now looking at spending half the money on equipment such as helicopters, armoured personnel carriers and drones.

"We aren't so rich as to be able to buy everything our armed forces might need," Corneliu Dobritoiu, Romania's secretary of state for defence policy, said. There was a need to be selective, he said, adding that approximately half the budget available for fighter procurement could be spent on equipment to provide greater protection to soldiers in the field.

At the heart of the debate is a division between the country's government and president over Romania's strategic needs. Traian Basescu, an Atlanticist by temperament, is believed to favour the US contractor, while the government, led by Calin Popescu Tariceanu, is inclined towards Europe.

Sorin Ionita, research director at the Romanian Academic Society, a think-tank, said: "The president leans further in one direction, while the prime minister leans in the other direction. It's partly the result of their job descriptions: the president is responsible for foreign policy and security, where the government is in charge of domestic policy,

75 per cent of which is about European issues."

Mr Dobritoiu agreed that keeping both Romania's strategic partners happy would be a priority when the decision was taken. "We need to open ourselves in a balanced way to the two major markets . . . to cover the modernisation needs of the Romanian armed forces in a way to maximise its operational returns at the most costeffective prices in a way that pleases everybody.

"We need to make sure we can interoperate both with Nato and the EU."

Interoperability and training costs are a concern for the Romanian defence establishment, which would like to upgrade to the US-made Joint Strike Fighter. Similarities between the F-16 and JSF would mean less money would need to be spent on retraining and new weapons systems, while opting for the cheaper option of refurbished F-16s now would make it easier for the armed forces to secure a budget to upgrade to a more up-to-date aircraft later.

Lockheed Martin appears confident of its chances. Romanian law requires that military contractors offer industrial offsets of 80 per cent. In spite of this, when the US Department of Defense in April notified Congress of the possible sale of 48 F-16s to Romania for $4.5bn, it stated that the deal made no provision for offsets.

Gripen, which would charge less than €3bn for 48 fighters, is prepared to offer 100 per cent industrial offset. Eurofighter is also understood to be prepared to offer offsets for the refurbished Italian air force Eurofighters it proposes to provide.

Officials at the defence ministry are working on a proposal to buy two squadrons of refurbished Lockheed Martin F-16s. That would leave slightly more than €2bn for other battlefield support equipment that would be more useful in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan. These contracts could be awarded to European contractors.

European Command's senior enlisted visits Romania

By Army Sgt. Aimee Millham
JTF-E public affairs

MK AIRFIELD ADMINISTRATION CENTER, Romania — U. S. European Command's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Farley, visited Romanian and American troops here on June 19 to observe the continued progress of Joint Task Force East and to honor his commitment to support the Romanian Army's enlisted professional development.

"I've seen a lot of improvements," Farley said. "These changes will set the conditions for bilateral relations between Romania and the U.S."

The Romanian military is undergoing a transformation that involves a recent change from conscripted to voluntary enlistment and includes the empowerment of noncommissioned officers. Farley was able to witness this transformation firsthand when he visited several Romanian units during his trip here.

"They are making great progress under this great new structure," he said.

Farley also visited Navy Seabees, Air Force firefighters, and Army aviators and medics while here, and he was impressed by what he saw.

"We're off to a great start. I saw good Soldiers who seem very happy here," Farley said. "It's a great opportunity to work side-by-side our Romanian counterparts in a nonrestrictive environment."

US Army and Romania to conduct military training

By JTF-E Public Affairs

Romania — Land forces staff and the US Army, Europe will conduct joint military training at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Administrative Airfield Center (MKAAC) and in Babadag training area from June 30 to July 30 2008.

The purpose of Joint Task Force East (JTF-E) 2008 rotation is to enhance the training and interoperability of Romanian and American troops.

The training will consist of combined firing exercises, with assigned weapons, squad and platoon level live fire training, urban tactical exercises, solving of tactical situations, other techniques of individual actions, performing mixed patrols, and giving first aid in the area of operations.

About 280 Romanian and 900 American Soldiers will participate in the exercises. In addition, two French soldiers will participate as observers.

This exercise is executed based on the treaty between Romania and United States of America regarding the US forces activities and Romanian forces, signed in 2005 and approved by the Romanian parliament in 2006.

China stresses importance of military ties with Romania

BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said here Tuesday that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with the Romanian armed forces.

Liang told his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu in their talks that the PLA is ready to make joint efforts with the Romanian armed forces to promote in-depth development of ties.

Hailing the deepened mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, Liang, also a state councilor, said the army-to-army relationship has maintained a good momentum of development in recent years.

He expressed his gratitude for the Romanian defense ministry's aid to China after the earthquake in Sichuan Province, and briefed the Romanian guests on China's relief efforts in the quake.

Melescanu said China is one of the most important partners of Romania in Asia, hailing the time-tested state-to-state relationship.

He said the Romanian side hopes to strengthen dialogue with China on international security and other areas, as well as in the areas of training and military expertise.

He added that Romania will do all it can to help the Chinese people affected by the quake, while reiterating that Romania will continue to stick to the one-China policy and believes that Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

Soldiers set to train in Romania, Bulgaria

By Mark St.Clair, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, June 3, 2008

More than 800 soldiers from throughout Europe will be training in Romania and Bulgaria over the next two seasons.

"The Joint Task Force — East headquarters has arrived on the ground and is preparing to receive training units," said Maj. Jennifer Johnson, JTF-E public affairs officer.

The main body of soldiers for the bilateral training in Romania has been deploying for the last two weeks, said Lt. Col. Richard Spiegel, chief of public communication for U.S. Army Europe. The training with the Romanians is set to be completed by the end of July.

Heading up the deployed units will be the Vampire Observer/Controller team from Hohenfels, made up primarily of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment soldiers, Spiegel said.

Making up the 130-soldier headquarters element are troops from the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwöhr, as well as USAREUR.

An opening ceremony for this year’s training is scheduled for June 30, Johnson said, after which soldiers from units such as the 541st Engineer Company from Bamberg and the 212th Combat Support Hospital from Misau will begin their rotations. Elements from the New Mexico National Guard will also be participating, Johnson said.

Many of the participating troops and units will be training in Bulgaria by mid-July, Johnson added. "It’s a myriad of moving parts," she said.

Much like 1-4 in Romania, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment troops will be performing light infantry duties throughout the rotation, set to end in mid-October, Spiegel said.

Joint Task Force East HQ deploys to Romania

By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 28, 2008 12:09:26 EDT

Joint Task Force East has completed a headquarters staff deployment to Mihail Kogainiceanu Aerodrome, Romania, to prepare for training rotations this summer.

Joint Task Force East is a European Command initiative to establish annual U.S. training rotations to Romania and Bulgaria, two of the newest members of NATO.

The headquarters staff of about 160 soldiers is drawn from across U.S. Army Europe, while a contingent of 40 personnel is from the Romania Land Forces Staff.

Throughout the summer, some 900 U.S. and 300 Romanian service members will rotate to Mihail Kogainiceanu to conduct team, squad and platoon training.

Joint Task Force East deployments began in 2007 but have been scaled back from brigade-size rotations because of U.S. commitments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Participating units are expected to include a headquarters element of the Joint Multinational Training command, Grafenwoehr, Germany, and elements of the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Regiment from Hanau, and the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment from Hohenfels.

Cubic Delivers Deployable Combat Training Centers to Romania and Slovakia

CNN.com

Cubic Defense Applications (CDA), a defense subsidiary of Cubic Corporation (AMEX: CUB), announced it completed installation of two new deployable combat training centers simultaneously in Romania and Slovakia.

Separate Initial Homestation Instrumentation Training Systems (I-HITS) went operational in late March in Romania, and early April in Slovakia. Cubic furnished I-HITS to the two nations under a 2005 contract with the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation and Training Instrumentation (PEO STRI). The system includes GPS-based player instrumentation and portable communications systems that are fully integrated with a software-based exercise control system. These technologies track the positions and casualty status of troops and vehicles in real time, and relay exercise data to command centers for post-mission analysis.

"Cubic's training systems business is showing real strength in Eastern and Central Europe after we began a concerted effort a few years ago to win business there," said Ray Barker, senior vice president in charge of Cubic's Readiness Systems Business Unit in San Diego. "In 2006, we delivered a system similar to I-HITS to the Hungarian Army. Since Hungary, Romania and Slovakia all have similar systems, they have the potential to conduct training with each other as well as with U.S. forces with our instrumentation. Our training products will have a significant impact on combat readiness in the region."

"The fielding of advanced training systems to Romania and Slovakia represents an important capability of Cubic's Readiness Systems and Mission Support business units to provide hardware, software and analytical and technical expertise to emerging democracies," said Larry Smith, vice president and general manager of the Virginia-based Force Modernization Division of Cubic Applications, Inc. (CAI), Cubic's government services subsidiary. "For the past eight years, CAI has supplied force modernization experts to countries seeking to join NATO, including Romania and Slovakia. CAI personnel currently provide computer-based simulation support at military simulation facilities in Romania, Lithuania and Ukraine."

Randy Hoyt, I-HITS program manager, commented: "The Army ordered its first I-HITS system in 2005. Eight months later, we delivered that system to the soldiers of the Eighth U.S. Army at Camp Casey in the Republic of Korea. In addition to delivering two systems within a month of each other to Romania and Slovakia, we have also installed systems at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and have deployed or upgraded similar systems to Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Lewis, Washington state. Cubic has also supplied I-HITS to various emergency response and Department of Energy customers."

Cubic Defense Applications (CDA), one of Cubic Corporation's major segments, is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's website at www.cubic.com.

Secretary of the Navy Visits Romania

From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

BUCHAREST, Romania (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter visited with senior officials in Romania, May 13-15, to discuss U.S.-Romania military relations and visit the Romanian fleet.

Winter met with Corneliu Dobriþoiu, State Secretary, and Chief, Defense Policy and Planning Department, and with Lt. Gen. Mihail Orzeaþã, Deputy Chief of the General Staff May 14 in Bucharest. The agenda included issues of mutual interest on the participation of Romania in ISAF operations and Operation Enduring Freedom, on the Extended Black Sea Region, and on bilateral military cooperation relations.

Winter expressed the United States' thanks and appreciation for Romania's support of coalition efforts in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, pointing out the importance of reliable partnerships in these vital areas. He also highlighted the importance of the U.S. - Romanian strategic relationship and the need to continue to build upon it to ensure the security of the Black Sea region.

The visit Romania also included meetings with Constantin Degeratu, State Adviser, Presidential Administration, with Stejãrel Olaru, State Adviser, Office of the Prime Minister, and with Costicã Canacheu, Chairman, Defense, Public Order, and National Security Committee, House of Deputies, Parliament of Romania.

After official meetings in Bucharest, Winter traveled to Constanta to visit the Romanian Naval Fleet. There he was the guest of Rear Adm. Dorin Danila, the Romanian Chief of Naval Forces, and toured the Romanian frigate Regina - Maria (F-222). The ship tour was followed by a review of the Navy staff and briefings on Romanian Naval capabilities at the Fleet Command Headquarters.

Discussions with the Romanian Navy included maritime security, maritime domain awareness, modernization of the U.S. and Romanian fleets, and the expansion of education and training opportunities for Romanian Navy personnel in the U.S.

For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/secnav/.

U.S. May Sell Romania Lockheed F-16s for $4.5 Billion

By Edmond Lococo

May 19 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Defense Department may sell Romania a combination of new and used F-16 jet aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Corp. with a total potential value of $4.5 billion.

Romania has requested the purchase of 24 new F-16C/D aircraft and the upgrade of 24 older models, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an e-mailed statement today.

The proposed sale would contribute to U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives because Romania is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally, the Defense Department said in a statement supporting the sale. The jets will ``greatly enhance'' Romania's interoperability with the U.S. and other NATO nations, making it a more valuable partner, the statement said.

The sale would include related equipment such as engines, radar, targeting pods and navigation systems, the statement said. Contractors for the equipment include General Electric Co., United Technologies Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney unit, Raytheon Co., Northrop Grumman Corp., Boeing Co., L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. and Goodrich Corp.

Lockheed, which had 2007 revenue of $41.9 billion, rose 78 cents to $109.94 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained 11 percent in the past 12 months.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edmond Lococo in Boston at elococo@bloomberg.net.

U.S., Romania discuss training and exercises

Air Force Lt. Col. James R. Bachinsky

BUCHAREST, Romania — U.S. and Romanian military officials further advanced their military partnership, with the inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee here April 21.

The committee serves as the policy and legal body charged with oversight of U.S. forces training and exercise activities on the territory of Romania. The Joint Committee is mandated by both the 2005 Defense Cooperation Agreement and the Joint Committee Implementing Arrangement (IA) signed on 20 July 2007.

The meeting was led by co-chairs, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robertus Remkes, Director of EUCOM Strategy, Policy and Assessments directorate, and Mr. Corneliu Dobritoiu, Romanian Ministry of Defense (MoD) State Secretary for Defense Policy and Plans.

In his opening remarks, Remkes thanked Romania for their efforts not only within the borders of Romania but also their support of on-going military operations in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Mr. Dobritoiu thanked everyone for the hard work leading up to this first meeting, highlighting the importance of the on-going U.S./Romanian partnership which is critical as the U.S. and Romania begin the second year of military training exercises.

The Joint Committee serves as the ultimate authority for a larger group of subcommittees organized by functional categories, these include the Policy and Legal Advisory; Personnel; Military Exercise; Logistics; Security and Information Exchange; and Communications subcommittees.

An Executive Committee, comprised of the leads of all of the subcommittees, reviews the work of the subcommittees, examines the suitability and applicability of recommendations, and advises the Joint Committee.

These groups will serve as a forum to address and attempt to resolve issues that arise during military exercises and associated U.S. forcessâ? activities. Issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels will come to the subcommittees for resolution, or forwarded to the Joint Committee for resolution. Officials on both sides emphasized the need to empower officials at the operational level to reach consensus on issue resolution.

url = http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=1684

First rotation into Romania set for June

Hohenfels-based GIs to do initial training; Hanau-based soldiers go to Bulgaria in August

By Charlie Coon, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, April 15, 2008

STUTTGART, Germany — A staff of commanders and planners will travel to Romania in May to begin to implement the first training of U.S. troops under the new Joint Task Force East. A battalion-sized task force — about 700 to 800 soldiers — will deploy in June, marking the first official rotation of U.S. troops under a U.S.-Romania agreement.

A second battalion of U.S. forces would deploy in August to neighboring Bulgaria. Each training mission would last about two months and pair U.S. troops with troops from the host nation.

The training in convoy operations, small-unit patrols, recognition of improvised bombs, and other disciplines is designed to help U.S., Romanian and Bulgarian forces perform better both together and separately, according to Lt. Col. Richard Spiegel, a spokesman with U.S. Army Europe.

Last August, U.S. forces, including about 350 from Baumholder, Germany’s 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, participated in a “proof of principle” exercise in Romania to test if the nations were ready to begin continuous training events.

“We believed we proved the principle,” Spiegel said. “This year is the rotation and we’re ready to make that work as well.”

About 160 personnel from the Grafenwöhr, Germany-based Joint Multinational Training Command and U.S. Army Europe will lead the exercise with USAREUR’s Col. Pari Anest as the task force commander.

Soldiers from the Hohenfels, Germany-based 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment and the New Mexico National Guard are providing the bulk of the Romania rotation.

The Hanau-based 5th Squadron, 7th Air Defense Artillery as well as Utah National Guardsmen would comprise most of the Bulgaria rotation.

The U.S. signed agreements with Romania in December 2005 and Bulgaria in April 2006 to use military bases in the former Soviet bloc nations. Both are relatively recent entrants into NATO and the European Union.

JTF-East is headquartered at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near Constanta, Romania. Most of the Romania-based training would take place there and at a range and training area to the north.

Troops deployed to Bulgaria would train mostly at the Novo Selo Training Area near Sliven, about 150 miles southwest of Constanta.

Romania Awards Lockheed Martin Contract To Provide 17 Radar Systems

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Map) - SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Overseas Corporation and the Romania Ministry of Defense (MoD) have signed a contract for the co-production of 17 TPS-79(R) Multi-Mission Surveillance Radar systems for Romania's Phase II "Gap Filler" program. Lockheed Martin provided two prototype systems to the Romanian Ministry of Defense (MoD) under a Phase I contract awarded in 2002. Romania is using the medium-range systems, together with five existing Lockheed Martin AN/FPS-117 long-range air surveillance radars, to monitor airspace around the country.

Under Phase II, Lockheed Martin will build the radar components and subassemblies for 17 additional Multi-Mission Surveillance Radar systems in its Syracuse, NY facility. A Romanian company, UTI Systems S.A., will provide additional components, and its employees will participate in radar integration and testing in both Syracuse and Romania. "Not only is this program necessary for the Ministry of Defense in helping us fulfill our mission, it's equally important for the Romanian economy because it helps local industry participate in high-tech equipment production and markets," said GA Major General Ioan Eftimie Sandu, Deputy Chief, Department for Armaments, in the Romanian MoD.

"These radar systems will provide critical air surveillance coverage for Romania and contribute to the security of NATO allies in the region," said Carl Bannar, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Radar Systems line of business in Syracuse, NY. "This collaboration between our nation's largest defense contractor and a key European ally appropriately showcases the value of global partnerships." The medium-range TPS-79(R) radar can easily be transported by air, sea, truck or rail and can be deployed in less than 60 minutes.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Military scales back Romania rotation plans

By Charlie Coon, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, February 21, 2008

HEIDELBERG, Germany — The U.S. military has scaled back plans for troop rotations to Joint Task Force-East in Romania and will send a battalion there for training this summer instead of a full brigade.

Military planners had hoped to deploy a full brigade of 3,500 soldiers for training with Romanian forces, as well as with Bulgarian forces at Bulgaria’s Novo Selo Training Area.

But the military’s operations tempo due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan limits the availability of troops, U.S. Army Europe officials said Wednesday.

“We’re probably looking at a couple of years until you see brigades come out,” said Col. Bob Hess, USAREUR’s chief of plans. “Of course, that’s going to be driven by what’s going on in the wars. That’s our No. 1 priority.”

The battalion going this summer will be led by a headquarters group from Joint Multinational Training Command in Hohenfels, Germany.

Soldiers from Hohenfels’ 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, National Guard units from Utah and New Mexico, and others would comprise the approximately 900-troop deployment, which would last from June to October.

Romania and Bulgaria, former Soviet bloc nations located next to each other on the Black Sea, have 10-year agreements to let U.S. forces use some of their bases for training.

Sending a battalion to Romania, as opposed to canceling the rotation altogether, shows that the stretched-thin military highly values its new bond with the country, especially in light of the Russian opposition to the U.S. presence there, according to Christine E. Wormuth, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

“I was working with Romania back in the mid-90s,” said Wormuth, a former Europe strategist with the Pentagon. “You want to be able to leverage those relationships you spent a lot of time and energy building in the wake of the Cold War. You don’t want to put that good work at risk.”

The task force, which is headquartered at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near Constanta, Romania, performed its first rotation last summer and fall using about 1,000 mostly Europe-based troops.

For the upcoming deployment, troops would train with Romanian forces from early June until early August at the air base, Babadag Training Area and elsewhere.

U.S. troops would then move south into Bulgaria and train with Bulgarian forces at Novo Selo.

Training would focus on situations that U.S., Romanian and Bulgarian forces might face in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Hess and Col. Kevin Beerman, chief of USAREUR’s engineer division.

After this year’s rotation is finished, another would be prepared for 2009. In the meantime, JTF-East staff would remain in Romania and Bulgaria to further prepare the sites for future rotations.

Sailors from Navy construction battalions would continue working on base facilities and on humanitarian missions.

Col. Constantin Moisa, a spokesman with the Romanian military, said his forces’ upcoming training with JTF-East depends on what the U.S. military brings to bear. He said he did not know what impact the scaled-back deployment would have.

“At this stage I can’t say if it is disappointing or not,” Moisa said. “It’s too early to make an assessment.”

Romania signs delayed order for seven Alenia Aeronautica C-27J transports

Flightglobal.com
By Craig Hoyle

Romania will receive its first of seven Alenia Aeronautica C-27J Spartan tactical transports in late 2008, following the delayed confirmation of a €217 million ($318 million) deal. Signed in Bucharest on 7 December, the contract also covers the provision of pilot training and logistics support services, plus the delivery of a flight simulator, says the Finmeccanica company.

The C-27J was selected in November 2006 to replace the Romanian air force’s Antonov An-24/26s. Bucharest had initially hoped to begin acceptance trials with its first Spartan this month, but contract signature was delayed by almost a year following a legal challenge mounted by losing bidder EADS Casa, which had offered its C-295 to meet the requirement.

Romania’s final confirmation of the deal makes it the sixth nation to order the C-27J, with 12 having been delivered so far to Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Lithuania, according to Flight’s MiliCAS database. The type has also been selected for the US Air Force/Army Joint Cargo Aircraft project, and Alenia Aeronautica says its order book for the type now stands at 117.

Italy Pitches Romania Eurofighter Offset

Defense News

ROME — Italy has boosted its Eurofighter sales campaign in Romania by suggesting it could buy a local aeronautics firm and turn it into a Typhoon logistics center or even an assembly line. Alenia Aeronautica, the Italian industrial partner in the four-nation combat jet program, took over marketing duties in Romania a year ago. In October, Alenia’s parent company Finmeccanica issued a letter of interest about the privatization of local firm Avioane Craiova, which has built jet trainers.

“This interest forms part of a possible offset offer,” said Enzo Casolini, Alenia’s senior vice president for military programs, “although we would need to do a survey of the facilities to look at the possibility of creating logistics activities.” Romania is mulling the purchase of 24 or 48 fighters, with a decision possible next year. Expected contenders include the Eurofighter Typhoon; the Gripen, built by Saab of Sweden; and the F-16, manufactured by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin.

The Eurofighter industrial consortium, which teams firms from Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, pitched its product in October at Romania’s Expomil event, where it claimed Romania could even have its first operational squadron up and running by 2010. The “Eurofighter consortium offers Romania an offset deal in terms of industrial participation amounting to at least 80 percent of the contract,” the consortium said in a statement. “The industrial participation for the Eurofighter program will involve most Romanian aerospace and defense companies.” Casolini said Romania might even receive an assembly line if it bought four dozen Eurofighters.

“If only 24 are bought, assembly, however, becomes more complicated,” he added. Founded in 1972, Avioane Craiova built and maintained the IAR 99 SOIM jet trainer for the Romanian Air Force, and it is working with Israel’s Elbit Systems to upgrade the aircraft. The 700-employee firm also supplies parts for civilian aircraft. The Romanian government has previously sought to sell off Avioane Craiova, but has received offers only from potential buyers seeking to demolish the facilities and use the space for alternative activities.

Commenting on the Italian interest in the firm, a Romanian government source said, “We will take this into consideration, although there are many factors to consider here, including the mission, our needs and expenditure.” Meanwhile, Alenia is finalizing the details of its sale of seven C-27J tactical transport planes to Romania. One Alenia official said he did not expect the deal to boost Alenia’s chances of selling the Eurofighter Typhoon to Romania. “It helps to understand local institutions, but the deals are separate,” he said. “What does help is that we are selling a European fighter to a new EU member.” Romania joined the European Union in January. The claim was echoed by the Eurofighter consortium, which said buying the Typhoon would “favor Romania’s integration in the European Union.”

In October, Romanian officials visited Italy’s first Eurofighter base, the 4th Wing at Grosseto air base, to see operations. Existing Italian-Romanian Ties Industrial ties with Italy are already strong. Italian manufacturers have long used Romania as a low-cost production base, pushing the two countries to become each other’s top trading partners. Finmeccanica also has been active, setting up a defense electronics manufacturing joint venture in Romania, Elettra Communications, after winning contracts to supply communications gear for Romania’s NATO-compliant Military Strategic Telecommunications Network. Alenia also buys parts for its ATR turboprop aircraft from Romanian firm Romaereo. “Expanding that deal as part of an offset package on the Eurofighter is not to be ruled out,” a Finmeccanica source said. “On Eurofighter, we would aim for direct offset, but indirect offset in civilian-related work could be considered.”

If Italy can win a Eurofighter order from Romania, it could offload some of its own contracted order. Italy has signed to buy 121 Typhoons, but defense officials have said they may seek to reduce the number to less than 100. A Romanian order of 24 aircraft would partially achieve that. As the Typhoon campaign continues, Alenia is seeking further C-27J sales in the Mediterranean region. The aircraft was placed on display at Libya’s growing Lavex trade fair in October, alongside Finmeccanica stablemates such as the Aermacchi M311 jet trainer, the ATR 42 maritime patrol aircraft and AgustaWestland helicopters. å E-mail: tkington@defensenews.com.

Romania To Participate In The Seven Stars 07 Military Exercise In Turkey

Bucharest, Romania (AHN) - Romania's Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that its country will take part in the Seven Stars 07 military drill program on October 31 to November 10 in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.

South-East Europe multinational Brigade (SEEBRIG) manages the drill, which aims to boost inter-operability of military troops in South-Eastern area of Europe for peace and humanitarian assistance operations.

Upholding mutual aid between civilians and military forces is also one of its goals.

The SEEBRIG trans-national force, will be formed by troops from Romania, Turkey, Albania, Italy, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece.

SEEBRIG's force structure is to be fully activated for exercises and operations. Its current headquarters are in Istanbul, Nation 7 and will be relocated to Kilkis, Nations 3 in 2011.

Smyrna soldier helping bridge new partnership with Romania

By MICHAEL TOLZMANN
Special to The DNJ

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRBASE, Romania — On a rural, grassy, wind-blown hilltop near the Black Sea, a group of U.S. soldiers stand on soil that over the ages armies and empires fought for. The Greeks, Romans, Turks and Soviets have all paid the price of blood to stand on this land.

For the son of a Smyrna couple, standing on this land in an American military uniform required no bloodshed. His presence here merely illustrates a newly forged cooperation between the United States and Romania, a NATO nation since 2004.

Army Spec. Joshua Brown, the son of Douglas and Clarise Barton, Smyrna, is a multiple launch rocket system fire directions specialist who is spending a few months in Romania, sharing military tactics and interacting with Romanians. Brown's actions here are helping bridge the new partnership between the two militaries.

"I'm serving with the support unit. We supply food, water, laundry and any basic supplies the soldiers need while serving in the field," said Brown.

Brown is a part of what the U.S. military is calling a "proof of principle" exercise, which means the two countries are building military relations to help prepare for the prospect of future coalitions. With a joint task force comprised of U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen, this base is helping define future basing and training in the region. Brown is learning from his experience here.

"Romanians are very cool people. Every one is very polite. They love to play and learn new sports with us. So far I've learned a little about their culture and a little of their language," said Brown.

Brown's regular, permanent duty station is located in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, with 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery. But while here, Brown is absorbing Romanian culture that will leave a lasting impression.

"I love the beach here. I've never really been to a beach before, but here it is absolutely gorgeous. The city nearby is also very nice," said Brown.

Brown has served for almost five years, and served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.

For Brown, standing on Romanian soil is but a temporary assignment. Brown now lives with allies who less than a generation ago would have been considered an adversary with Romania a member of the Soviet bloc.

Romania to attend military drill in Turkey

Romania will participate in the Seven Stars 07 military drill scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 10 in the largest Turkish city of Istanbul, Defence Ministry said Tuesday.

The drill, organized by the South-East Europe multinational Brigade (SEEBRIG), is aimed at increasing inter-operability of military forces in South-Eastern Europe for peace support and humanitarian assistance missions. It also intends to promote cooperation between civilians and troops in such operations.

Troops from Turkey, Romania, Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece will form the SEEBRIG multinational force, which is headquartered in Istanbul.

Source: Xinhua