EVENIMENT N°. 1 z 2007 Message of the Chief of the Staff on the Occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day 3 ontents ACTUALITY Messages on the occasion C of the Romanian Land ALMA MATER Forces Day 5 I've Been a Student at News on the West Point 32 Land Forces 8 Second Lieutenant Marian TEODORESCU Publication issued by the Romanian Land Forces Staff Partners on A StudentFrom Iasi in THE EDITORIAL STAFF Battlefield 13 France 34 Major Renato NADOLU Catalin MAFTEI Drumul Taberei Street; No.9-11; sector 6; code 061416; ; ROMANIAN LAND Transformation in the phone: +040021 22 47; FORCES IN ACTION Military Education 35 +040021 318 53 67 extension 389 Signalmen from Lieutenant-Colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE fax +040021 410 36 15 16 Major Luigi-Mihail Cojocaru "Dimitrie Cantemir" EDITOR IN CHIEF Military High School from The scouts' ardent Leutenant-colonel Breaza at Its 95th mornings 18 Dragos ANGHELACHE Anniversary 41 a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Emanuel BARBULESCU SECRETARY OF An Ambitions Plan For the THE EDITORIAL STAFF The Lacustrine Military Circle Major Luigi-Mihail COJOCARU Experiences of Ploiesti 39 of Engineers 20 a story by Lieutenant Colonel SENIOR EDITOR a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Dragos AGHELACHE Colonel (rt.) Nicolae DINU Florentin PARASCHIV WEAPONS EDITOR Flight Half Torment, Second Leutenant Half Time 24 EXPOMIL Andreea POPESCU a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Bucharest 2007 45 Danut CALDARARU GRAPHIC DESIGNER SPORT Elena RADULESCU THEATRES OF OPERATIONS Second Place in Sporty PROOF READING Relay Race of the Military Cristina DONCILA It's Good When You Have Ski Championship Dirt on Hands 27 in Spain 49 TEXT PROCESSING a story by Captain Marius VINTILESCU an interview by Second Lieutenant Patrolling in the Filofteia LINCA Andreea POPESCU The Iraqi People Look at unknown 31 The Tradition of Being on ADMINISTRATION Us Hoping That Things a story by W.O. Elena Popescu the Podium 51 Staff Sergeant Major Will Get Better a story by Second Lieutenant Adrian IUZIC One Day 29 Andreea POPESCU INTERNET Captain Cristian CÃNUCI Leutenant-colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE www.rft.forter.ro e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Cover 1 Military policeman Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Iulian FERARU Cover 3 ISAF in Ghraphics: Sgt.1st Catalin SURUGIU Cover 4 Student in a military high school Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Iulian FERARU ISSN 1842-3051 B 00420 C 4092/08 Printed by the Technical Editorial Center of the phone: +40021-2224 26 34 fax: +40021-2224 04 05 Copyright any copy out of this issue is allowed and duty free only by indicating the exact number of publication and its date of issuing

Event The Romanian Land Forces Day Message of the Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff on the Occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day

n the 23rd of April we celebrate the Roma- nian Land Forces Day, whose spiritual O Christian patron is the Great Martyr Saint George - the Victory Bearer. The dramatic history of this people was since its very beginning under the sign of Cross and sword power. Land Forces are the most representative force category of the Romanian Armed Forces that had a decisive con- tribution to the victories on battlefields. The today celebration moment is like a memento of the huge sacrifices of our forerunners for defending our national being and territorial integrity. The militaries of the Land Forces prove, through their daily remarkable results gained in all training cate- gories, that they worthy continuers of the inherited glo- rious combat traditions and they have the capacity to accomplish the ordered missions. At the same time, our militaries' professionalism, courage, moral and combat qualities, have a unanimous acknowledge in the theatre areas of operations. This celebration has now a particular significance, because it takes place in the year when the Romanian people achieved a major goal, the EU membership. The

Nr. 1 z 2007 3 Event The Romanian Land Forces Day

moment also marks the European and Euro- The performance standards imposed within Atlantic present and future of our country. The the activity of the managerial teams at all the transformation process of the Romanian Armed hierarchical levels define the actual state of the Forces is a very thoroughgoing and complex land forces and give us certainty that they have social phenomenon of edifying modern, viable the capacity to accomplish the entrusted mis- and dynamic military structures. Out of this sions. perspective, the year 2007 is a top one within I express my conviction that the Romanian the process of making operational units and Land Forces will demonstrate more and more large units of different branches. outstandingly their high level of proficiency and In this context, the perseverance of the they will manifest themselves in any situation daily efforts and often anonymous of each of as modern, credible and trained forces, accor- you generates the force lines on which the trust ding to the most exigent standards. of our country's citizens relies on, the fact that On the occasion of the Romanian Land the military institution is able to properly and Forces Day, I wish the generals, officers, - efficiently answer the nowadays challenges. rant officers, NCOs, volunteer soldiers and ci- The organizational flexibility, optimization vil personnel a healthy life, many moments of of the reaction capability and the operational joy in their families and fruitful professional interoperability are coordinates that give more achievements. and more personality to the structures and offer it a real status. May God help us! Event The Romanian Land Forces Day Common Points of Wiew Between of two Countries Lieutenant-GGeneral Dimitrios GRAPSAS Chief Hellenic General Staff

and the enhancement of the gives me a great pleasure to take on your jointness by ensuring the request and contribute to the special edi- required capabilities for the conduct of joint opera- tion of the “ROMANIAN LAND FORCES It tions and the implementation of common procedures MAGAZINE“ to appear on the occasion of the Roma- and doctrines along with the other Services of the nian Land Forces Day (23 April 2007), and present Armed Forces, mainly in the fields of Operational Plan- my views on Land Forces. ning, Command and Control Systems, Communica- April 23rd, 2007 is a day of particular signifi- tions, Training and Operational Logistics. cance for both and Greece, since this day is Our efforts principally focus on the creation of an dedicated to celebration of the Romanian Land Forces, army, modern, semiprofessional, smaller in size, of grea- while Greece honors Saint George the Triumphant, the patron saint of the . ter flexibility and effectiveness, equipped with state-of- This day of celebration is not the only common the-art technology weapon systems and means, opti- point for the two armies. The cooperation between the mally trained and capable of efficiently conducting joint Armies of Greece and Romania is underway, well after operations, in order to successfully carry out its main it has been launched in February 1995, following the and other missions, such as: signature of the respective Cooperation Agreement • Conduct of -support operations between the Armed Forces of the two countries. In the • Countering of eventual military threat, as well frame of this agreement, various activities are being as of asymmetrical threats organized in both Greece and Romania (cross-training • Provision of humanitarian aid of troops, exchanges of visits of dignitaries and dele- • Conduct of Search and Rescue Operations gations, participation in exercises, etc). • Natural disaster relief etc. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the nature Jointness, interoperability, continuous upgrading of the new threats has imposed, at the international of the levels of training, development of new doctrines, level, a multilateral restructuring/transformation of the modern operational concepts and a seamless evolution Armed Forces. Modern Armed Forces must be more of the weapon systems and means further broaden the flexible and powerful, based on jointness, the establish- role and the operational capabilities of the Land Forces ment of a professional/semi-professional army, with both within a country and internationally, in the frame suitably trained personnel, exploiting modern tech- of Peace Missions and Peace-Support Operations of nologies, in order to effectively carry out their mission. the Organization of the United Nations, NATO and Land Forces, operating in the frame of the the . Armed Forces of each country, are actually invited to The future calls for Land Forces well organized, adopt new, modern operational concepts and capa- optimally trained and equipped with modern systems bilities. At the international level, Land Forces eventu- and means, thus able to meet the requirements of their ally participate in peace-support, international security mission, in the frame of the Armed Forces of each country and stabilization operations. and for the entire spectrum of military operations. Implementation of jointness, now the primordial Please accept my appreciation for the opportu- operational requirement, imposes a strict need for close nity I am given by way of your publication – to express cooperation among the three individual Services of the in brief my thoughts, concerning Land Forces. I wish a Armed Forces to maximize both work output and effec- Happy Celebration and the best of success to the tiveness. Land Forces contribute to the joint structures Romanian Land Forces and their mission. „

Nr. 1 z 2007 5 Event The Romanian Land Forces Day Partners in Supporting Peace and Stability

General Ilker BAªBUG Commander

he new security environment that Today, we are happy to observe that NATO sys- emerged in the post- these ties are further deepening in every tems. TEra poses a set of complex, un- field. We have close partnership with On the predictable and uncertain threats through- Romania within NATO, South Eastern other hand, Turkey is pleased to see out the world. These new conditions have Europe (SEEBRIG) and BLACK- Romania as a member of European Union. made it compulsory for the Turkish Armed SEAFOR frameworks. Additionally, we are Just as Romania’s NATO and EU mem- Forces to transform itself to become working together in the International bership is contributing to Turkey’s integra- modernized, technologically more deve- Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afgha- tion with Western and Central Europe, loped and innovative. This is also necessary nistan, and KFOR in . Turkey’s EU membership will also serve to in order to promote the peace and stability Turkey has continuously and strongly consolidate the security and prosperity belt throughout our region. supported Romania’s membership to surrounding Romania. Moreover, it is unre- I am proud to command the Turkish NATO. Today, Turkey and Romania par- alistic to imagine the achievement of an Land Forces, which has constituted the ticipate in NATO, NATO PFP, international efficient common foreign and security poli- exercises and South Eastern Europe Bri- main pillar of the Turkish Armed Forces cy in the EU without Turkey. It goes without gade (SEEBRIG) activities together. Turkey with a historical legacy and tradition of mentioning that the EU gain further also supports the NATO membership of over 2,200 years. The Turkish Land Forces strength in becoming a world power with Balkan nations. Bonding the Balkan nations have steadily developed itself and has rea- the membership of Turkey in the future. ched to level where it can successfully in one pact for the first time in history will create a peaceful environment for the region. We have on the one hand steadily accomplish a wide array of missions, rang- developed our bilateral relations and on the ing from high intensity warfare to low inten- There exists a risk that tensions can be re-escalated in the . It seems that other hand benefited from our regional part- sity conflicts. In fact, the Turkish Land For- nerships. Therefore, Turkey attributes great ces have successfully carried out important there will be a need for sustained European Union or NATO presence in the region at importance to further improving her coope- roles in multinational and joint operations ration with Romania in the Black Sea region. throughout the world. Moreover, the high least for some while. As such, Turkey, which has contributed to almost all of the initia- Turkish-Romanian Land Forces’ relation quality training and education provided to tives actively from the very outset in the will continue developing on the basis of the military personnel of various friendly Balkans, will continue to do so. friendship and close cooperation. Certainly, countries marks a good indicator of the le- SEEBRIG (South Eastern Europe Bri- the consolidation of the existing cooperation vel that our Land Forces have reached. gade), which we enjoy being partner with between our land forces at the bilateral, However, it goes without mentioning Romanian Land Forces as well as SEDM regional and international level will contri- that, the newly emerging threats and risks (Southern Europe Defence Ministry), is bute immensely to regional and global of our era, necessitates an increasing co- playing an important role in the consolida- peace and stability. operation among allied and friendly coun- tion of peace and stability in the Balkans. With this understanding, on behalf of my tries, such as Turkey and Romania, which Moreover, SEEBRIG is a unique example Command, I would like to extend my sincere desire to promote peace and stability in of military cooperation in Europe apart congratulations on the occasion of the anni- their region and beyond. This aim can only from NATO. HQ SEEBRIG will be reloca- versary of the establishment of the Roma- be accomplished through intensified joint ted in Turkey this summer. We will be happy efforts. nian Land Forces, which is the strong guar- to host HQ SEEBRIG in Turkey under Roma- dian of the sovereignty and independence In this regard, it should be underlined nian leadership. that Romania is a friendly and allied coun- of Romania as well as a staunch partner in The infrastructure of Turkish defence promoting regional and global peace and try, with which Turkey enjoys excellent rela- industry is also rapidly improving. Many tions in her region. The bilateral relations stability. I would also like to wholeheartedly kinds of products such as arms, ammuni- praise Lieutenant-General , and cooperation between the two coun- tions, communications equipment, wheeled Commander of the Romanian Land Forces tries have made steady progress especial- and tracked armed vehicles, military cloth- as well as the brave personnel serving under ly in the last two decades. The cultural and ing are being produced at NATO stan- his command, who have contributed to the historical ties stemming from the mutual dards. Furthermore, Turkish defence indus- development of their army to the high level heritage of Turkey and Romania bond these tries’ means and capabilities can especially „ two nations even closer. be helpful for Romania’s harmonization with it has reached today.

6 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces News

MESSAGE Romanian Militaries ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND Performed FORCES DAY

Major-General Tibor Benkö Outstanding Deputy Commander (Land Forces) of Joint Force Command Hungarian Mmissions Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Major-GGeneral Ton van Loon Teodor FRUNZETI, Commander - Regional Command South, Afghanistan Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff ince 15 July 2002, Dear General, when the 26th S „Red Scor- In the countries of the world there is a pions“, the first Romanian Battalion tradition that nations commemorate their deployed to Afghanistan joined the armed forces, expressing their International Community to fight the sovereignty and defence capability. On ruthless Taliban extremist regime and the occasion of the Romanian Land free the people of Afghanistan, Roma- nian soldiers have performed outstan- Forces Day let me express my ding work throughout the Southern appreciation and respectful gratitude to Region. Even today, they continue to you and to all the soldiers serving in the assist the Government of Afghanistan Romanian Land Forces. in building its capacity throughout all of Afghanistan. The good military relations between They proudly serve side by side Romania and Hungary form the basis of with the Afghan National Security the valuable cooperation and the common Forces to ensure that reconstruction activity. During the last years, this activity and development programs in Zabul has been established between our armies and other provinces are carried out to the benefit of all Afghans. at the level of leadership, at units engaged Romanian troops have demon- in peacekeeping operations and in strated their professionalism and have defence crisis management issues. carried out their duties proudly thousands 107 mm rockets, shells, throughout Afghanistan. The Romanian bombs and machine gun ammunition. Naturally the common preparation and Infantry Maneuvers Battalion in Qalat Presently, there are more than training programs, in which our soldiers continues to conduct patrolling opera- 800 Romanian soldiers serving under have proved their capabilities, are tions, protection and escorts for con- ISAF banner protecting and provi- included too. The Romanian - Hungarian voys and providing medical assis- ding support to the people of Peacekeeping Battalion and the tance for the local population. The Afghanistan throughout the Southern Romanian - Slovakian - Ukrainian - Romanian Detachment Guard in Kan- Region, particularly in Zabul, Helmand dahar Airfield continues to provide a and . As the present Com- Hungarian "Tisza" Battalion serve as a secure environment through their mander, Regional Command South, I basis to broaden and cultivate our security patrols for Kandahar Airfield, am honored to have such professio- excellent cooperation. NATO’s largest operating base in nal forces under my command. Based Southern Afghanistan. The Afghan on their continued dedication to the On this great occasion I would like to National Army Training Detachment people of Afghanistan and support to thank you and your subordinates for the continues to provide training and con- my overall mission objectives for the highly responsible work has been done, sulting to the Afghan National Army. Southern Region, I would like to take and for the motivation, which has contribu- We still remember Operation this occasion to thank every soldier ted to the development of our military rela- Carpathians Thunder, which took that has served under my command. tions and deepened defence cooperation. place in 2003 and was undertaken I would also like to use this oppor- by the 812th Infantry Battalion Carpa- tunity to thank the families of service I would like to take the opportunity to wish thian’s Hawks together with Coalition members, who have sacrificed so much success and good luck to you and to the Forces. During this operation, Roma- of their time to ensure that the sol- work of each soldier of the Romanian nian Forces discovered at the time, diers in their lives could play an instru- what was the largest ammunitions mental role in bringing peace and Land Forces and to the accomplishment cache in Afghanistan, including stability to the Afghan people. „ of their future mission. „ Nr. 1 z 2007 7 Romanian Land Forces News EU HELBROC resident on the island. There have also been BATTLE GROUP reported several acts of atrocity directed against the refugees from Brownland, another insular EXERCISE - GREECE country. The scenario included During 7-12 May 2007, in Greece, The exercise was designed to a preliminary operational planning phase the European Union Battle Group (EU ensure military training on EU crisis ma- in which HELBROC battle group was acti- HELBROC BG) represented by Greece, nagement procedures, being focused on vated and engaged in crisis management; Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus developed a humanitarian assistance and evacuation the aim was to prevent a humanitarian staff exercise (CPX "EVROPI I/07"; also, operations, in order to enhance EU crisis between 14-19 May, a live crisis manage- disaster from happening and to carry out management capability. evacuation operations, if required". ment exercise (LIVE CME "EVROPI II/07") EVROPI I and EVROPI II exercises took place in Askos-Profitis range. Both All these activities developed under aimed at establishing a coherent and UN mandate, in accordance with Euro- EVROPI I and EVROPI II exercises have complex manner of action, in order to been financed by European Union and pean Union directions. „ reach an interoperability level between carried out for the first time by the Joint participating multinational units. EU HELBROC BG. Translated by: Elena CISMASU The exercise All four states committed at HELBROC BG have effectively participated at exer- scenario presented a cises 'planning, at which more than 1,200 hypothetical crisis situ- militaries engaged: ation occurred "on the • Greece - Host Nation- one bat- fictional island of talion supported by air force, logistics and Mesogeios, where a engineering units; minority paramilitary • Bulgaria - one light infantry com- group carried out vio- pany; lent actions and mani- • Cyprus - a military police pla- fested an aggressive toon and a medical platoon; attitude against a • Romania - an NBC platoon and large number of Euro- a PSYOPS team. pean Union citizens,

The ceremony of ending the 4th edition of the scouts' camp, organized by the Romanian Ministry of Defence in partnership with the National Authority for Youth, was held on the 12th of August, in the location of "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Scouts Academy, . The activity took place in the presence of Colonel Ion Petrescu, chief of Information and Public Relations Direc- torate and the deputy president of the Land Forces Academy, Colonel Ph.D. Benone Sfarlog. During eight days, the young scouts had the opportunity to get knowledge about the Romanian Armed Forces and NATO, the military equipment capabili- ties, and they also had the opportunity to put into practice their physical quali- ties, will and moral features, team and competition spirit, by military training. Ceremony ended with handing over the participation certificates by two instruc- tors, Lieutenant Virgil Nicolau, recon- naissance subunit commander from the 2nd Infantry Battalion "Calugareni" and

U NCO Mioara Cioran, from the educa- C S

E tion section of the Academy, as a recog- L U T I nition of the efforts the young scouts put N N s

u in sportive competitions (football, bas- i r a

M ketball, volleyball and swimming). „ M n i

a Translated by: Luigi-MMihail t p a

C COJOCARU C : o t

8 o Land Forces h www.rft.forter.ro P Romanian Land Forces News

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF Al-Jazeera THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY Between 23-25 January, a journa- Qalat, where the 812th Infantry Battalion Lieutenant-General Filiberto CECCHI list team consisting in the British reporter "Soimii Carpatilor" (Carpathians Hawks) The Chief of Staff of the James Bays and the Italian cameraman is deployed. Frederico Fornaro, from the famous TV With this occasion, the journalists Officers, Warrant Officers and Soldiers, on the channel Al Jazeera International, have have wished to better know our militaries, occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day, I paid a visit to Lagman base, situated in keeping in mind that Romania has recent- would like to convey, on behalf of the Italian st ly joined NATO and since the 1 of Army, my best wishes to you and your families. January 2007 it is an European Union member state. These wishes represent and draw, once again, a The program of the visit virtual link of friendship and effective included the participation at a cooperation between our Countries and our patrolling mission of the Romanian Armies, testifying a shared commitment to militaries, on Highway no.1, that meeting and winning the most demanding connects Kabul, the Afghan capital challenge of the XXI century: the war on city and the important centre of terrorism. Kandahar. At the end of the visit, James It is a war in which our soldiers are on the front, Bays declared: "Although our time from to Afghanistan, shoulder to shoulder, spent here was very short, it is very as well as in other theatres, from Kosovo to clear to me that the militaries within Bosnia, promoting and preserving peace and 812th Infantry Battalion "Carpathians stability all around the world. Hawks" from Bistrita, are excellent These strong ties between Romania and Italy professionals, with solid experience are more than a military alliance: they testify our gathered in the theatres of opera- camaraderie and, above all, our friendship, that tions in Afghanistan and Iraq; and, in spite of the fact that the equip- special bond which, according to Cicerone, ment they use is not new, they makes prosperity more shining and lessens accomplish their military duties as adversity by dividing and sharing it. good as their NATO partners, who With these feelings, Officers, Warrant Officers possess advanced and sophistica- and Soldiers of the Romanian Land Forces, ted weapons". „

Photo:Captain Marius Mihai allow me to express, once again, my best Translated by: Elena CISMASU wishes to all of you, with the strong, heartfelt and sincere hope of increasing our cooperation Injured Child and getting every success. General HERBIA AL SA’AD On 21 April, in the afternoon, an infantry platoon mounted on Armoured rd Personnel Carriers belonging to the 812th Infantry Battalion "Carpathians Hawks" Commander of the 3 Iraqi Brigade was under a patrolling mission on Highway no.1. The patrol began the mission at a forwarded base where American and Romanian militaries were deployed. The Romanian During movement, at about 6 o'clock p.m., the group leader from the first military staff is APC saw a child laying on the wayside. very close to After Romanian militaries secured the area, the patrol sanitarian, Sergeant my people. Major Lenuta Schuster provided first aid to the victim. They The platoon commander, Lieutenant Sorin Semeniuc has requested the imme- accomplished diate intervention of the medical evacuation helicopter as the infant was severely many missions wounded at head, stomach and limbs. As it took long time for the MEDEVAC heli- here, in Iraq. copter to arrive and in order to save the child's life, lieutenant Semeniuc asked the That is why I permission to evacuate the victim to Lagman base, with the APC. am very close Thus, after a race against the clock, at about 07:50 p.m. the child has been to the handed over to the Romanian and American physicians for further medical investi- Romanian gations and care. Army. You will At the medical centre in Lagman base, the child underwent emergency sur- often find me in gery interventions in order to stop the severe ventral bleeding, after which he was the middle of transported to the hospital in Kandahar, by a medical evacuation helicopter. the military The incident took place at approximately 55 km far from Lagman base; after staff from your country. I was close to them primer investigations at the scene, it was concluded that an improvised explosive both during happy moments and sad moments. device, of unknown nature, has determined the child's injury. Another child has been found dead few meters far from where they have dis- I respect them and we cooperate together very covered the injured child. „ well. I thank the Romanian military staff for the Translated by: Elena CISMASU way in which they understood to cooperate with us and to support us for rebuilding Iraq.

Nr. 1 z 2007 9 Romanian Land Forces News The new SEEBRIG commander was named, during a ceremony that took place on July 12 in Istanbul, Brigadier-General Ph.D. Virgil Balaceanu. Appointment At the same ceremony, Mrs. Rodica Gareva, the Macedonian representative, overtook the presidency of the Initiative Process Reunion of South-East Europe Defence Ministers (SEDM). Romania has eight militaries in SEEBRIG head- quarters that is now dislocated in Istanbul till 2011. General Ph.D. Virgil Balaceanu graduated the High Studies , Faculty of History- Philosophy of Bucharest University, International Course of Managing Defence Resources of Monterey, California, USA; the US Air Forces War College of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA and NATO Executive Master Course of NATO College, Roma. He has the title of Ph.D. in military sciences. „ General Nenov and General Balaceanu, the former and the present SEEBRIG commanders Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

Dialog Proof of Principle The exercise "Proof of Principle" made in common by the Romanian Land Forces Staff and in Europe, USAREUR, took place in Mihail During the first month since Kogalniceanu Aerial Base and Babadag Firing Range, starting the 17th of August till the deployment in Iraq theatre of the 22nd of October 2007. operations, the soldiers of the 32rd The exercise goal was to verify the capability of training in common of the Infantry Battalion "Mircea" had Romanian and American troops in Romanian environment and facilities. At the same meetings with the local leaders in time, the exercise was a good opportunity to assess the Romanian Army's capacity Dhi Quar and Al Muthanna of planning and conducting operations with its allies. provinces. During their meetings Over 250 Romanian soldiers performed together with the American troops the locals and soldiers discussed on searching missions, ambush reactions, patrolling, traffic check in and real firing with small arms. starting elementary medical assis- The exercise took place under the Romanian and United States agreement tance campaigns and installing a regarding the activities of the United States forces deployed in Romania, which was performing drinkable water station signed in 2005 and ratified by the Romanian Parliament in 2006. „ necessary for the local people daily needs. These contacts had the pur- Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu pose to identify the problems that the population living in the Romanian Battalion area of respon- sibility had, taking into considera- tion that one of the main missions of the Romanian military in Iraq consisted in establishing a safe cli- mate based on trust and mutual Photo: Cristian SURUGIU respect.„

Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

10 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces News MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY Major-General Peter Devlin Romanian's Chief of Staff (Canada), Multinational -Iraq Ambassador Visit I am impressed of the engagement that your country assumed. The Romanian Ambassador to Military Attaché Colonel Ion Toader Besides, you add your Spain, H.E. Mrs. Maria Ligor visited accompanied her. presence in the other Allied Land Component Command The purpose of the visit was to operational theatre, Madrid on April 25. Her diplomatic coun- update the ambassador about the head- too, in Afghanistan, selor Mrs. Camelia Teodorescu and the quarters activities and to hold a meeting where Romania with the Romanian community impresses by the posted at CC-Land HQ Madrid. military staff and their "I highly appreciated the families’ devotion. I openness and the availability of strongly believe that the hosts and I noted with great the Romanian soldiers satisfaction the good impres- make here a special sion that my co-nationals have thing and their strong made within the CC-Land HQ points in dynamics, Madrid", Mrs.Ligor said. trust in themselves. This makes them special. After the office call with I am glad that I had the opportunity to visit the Lieutenant-General Miró, CC-Land Romanian soldiers and to see how they make HQ Commander, Mrs. Ligor was extraordinary things here. My message for both given a tour to the facilities of the Romanian people and military staff is a the headquarters. „ thankful, grateful one for the engagement and for the help that your country sends to the Iraq people by its military personnel. this ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Jaap L.Werner expressed his gratitude for the Major-General Jonathan D. Shaw Medals Romanian soldiers and signed the Land Commander of the South-Est Forces Book of Honor. Lieutenant-Colonel Multinational Division (Great Britain) The Romanian soldiers' activity Jan Korteweg, the Holland military attaché that took place with the Dutch Army and in Romania participated also in the cere- under Major-General Ton van Loon com- mony, and from the Romanian Land Forces mand, made three Romanian officers to Staff, Brigadier-General Dan Ghica-Radu, be rewarded for their exceptional beha- Brigadier-General Ph.D. Nicolae N.Roman, viour and actions with commemorative Brigadier-General Alexandru Cornel Pinete, medals for peace operations. Brigadier-General Ph.D. Ion Barloiu, The three Romanian officers, Brigadier-General Avram Catanici. „ Major Emil Bobocea, Captain Dorin Translated by: Second Lieutenant Cucolas and Captain Gabrier Vartej- Andreea Popescu Lerner participated in 2007 in ISAF - Afghanistan Regional Command South mission and proved an exceptional behaviour during the mission. For this rea- son they were awarded with the Comme- The Romanian’s contribution for the good of morative Medal for peace operations. facts in DHI-QAR is vital. Their main mission is to This honour was established by a Royal ensure the main road to provide the deployed Decree on the 23rd of March 2001 and forces in the north of the country and maintain may be awarded to the Dutch nationals, the security of this province. The most important or other countries nationals, who have thing is the fact that the Romanian troops act in participated in peace operations within the most successful province from the whole an area designated by the Dutch Minister. Iraq. This province is one of the first ones in At the Romanian Land Forces Staff which the authorities took over the control upon headquarters, in Bucharest, on August the local security and administration. 27, in the presence of Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Teodor Frunzeti took place the This is one of the fewest successful stories from awarding medal ceremony to the three Iraq and the Romanians are a part of it. I am Romanian Land Forces officers. Represen- proud to have the Romanian military ting the Dutch authorities, His Excellency subordinates. I want to believe that their abilities Mr.Jaap L.Werner, the Ambassador of the as soldiers will never be doubtful and it is good Kingdom of Netherlands awarded the to know that, if the things go wrong, you can rely officers and handed over the medals. At on their military qualities. Photo: Cristian SURUGIU

Nr. 1 z 2007 11 Romanian Land Forces News

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY

Comandor Andrew Knowles No. 3 Air Force Protection Command, Wise Foresight Khandahar Air Field The military of Peace Keeping At the end of the exercise, it was Romanian-Hungarian Mixed Battalion organized Distinguish Visitors Day for participated, from the 3rd till the 14th the Romanian and Hungarian military September in WISE FORESIGHT HU and civil officials: General Havril 2007 exercise that took place in Andras - the Chief of the Hungarian Varpalota county, in Hungary. General Staff, General Major PhD. Ioan WISE FORESIGHT HU 2007 is Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps a part of the common training program commander and of the Romanian soldiers from the 191st Alexandru Rus - the 81st Mechanised Infantry Battalion "Radu Golescu" Arad Brigade's commander. „ with the Hungarian soldiers from 5th Translated by: Second Lieutenant Infantry Brigade from Hodmezo- Andreea Popescu vasarhely and its pur- pose was to perform particular activities for a mission under UN command. In the first part, the Romanian and Hungarian military per- formed an exercise of simulating, assisted by Air Force Protection from Khandahar Air computer, that fol- Field (KAF) is a multinational command lowed the training of which includes almost 650 people from six the participants in plan- nations. This is an unique command and ning missions and solv- maybe it represents one of the most capable ing situations similar to protection forces existing in the world. The the ones in theatre areas of operations in contribution brought by the "Red Scorpions" Iraq or Afghanistan. is a remarkable one. The subunit of the "Red Scorpions" led by CAPT Marius Bumbac had an outstanding contribution to the effort of Coalition forces to maintain safe KAF against any indirect or Promotion direct fire attack of the hostile forces. The ceremony of promoting to the rank of Second Lieutenant for the 2007 The professionalism of the officers and their graduating class of Land Forces Academy of Sibiu took place on Friday, 27 July, in subordinates is of the highest level, both in the Big Square of Sibiu city. For their good results obtained during the years in Academy, and after the the observation tower missions and in those licence exam, three students were declared as first graduates: Second Lieutenant of manning the subunits of special reaction Ana-Maria Constantin in management of the organisation speciality; Second forces (SRF). Lieutenant Emil Grandel in eco- nomic-financial management Personnel from KAF always know that they and Second Lieutenant Liana are in safe when Romanian soldiers Sorodoc in public administra- performs such missions. As a commander tion speciality. of the Air Force Protection, I can say that it The chief of the first is an honour to command this multinational graduates of the Land Forces Academy, named honorarily force from KAF, and I consider that I did not "", was tell enough about the "Red Scorpions" and Second Lieutenant Ana-Maria their contribution to the ISAF mission. „ Constantin. „ Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

12 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Interview Partners on Battlefield Interview with General David D. McKiernan Commanding General United States Army, Europe & 7th Army

Major Renato NADOLU

— USAREUR encounters a continuous trans- Commander of US Army Europe is to build tomor- formation process. Establishing this military base in row's coalition today through training and readi- Romania is a part of this process? ness. And JTF-East gives us the opportunity to work I do see our Joint Task Force-East as part of with the Romanian army and the Bulgarian army so our transformation in US Army Europe and the that we can exchange tactics, techniques and pro- way it matches our transformation is: it gives us a cedures to help us in our transformation. We are great opportunity to train in a multinational envi- not establishing US bases in Romania or Bulgaria ronment and so one of my objectives as the we want to train with you in your bases in Romania.

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— Training is crucial for Iraq and Afghanistan because of technical part and then there is USAREUR. Is JTF-East's concept the demands for forces and the the intellectual part. The technical part of your vision regarding need to make sure that we pre- part is about equipment, about training? serve at least one year between making sure that we have infor- I think training today, in rotations for the units to reset mation systems that can talk to the 21st Century, must always be themselves and retrain and inte- each other, that we have ways of in a joint environment, must be grate new people. So what that recognizing coalition partners on air, ground, naval and special does is, it puts additional stress the battle field, and that is the forces when ever possible and I on our soldiers and our families, technical part. But there is also think it also must be in a multina- and we in US Army Europe like the intellectual part of making tional environment, so JTF-East, the rest of the United States Army sure that we can train together, the concept, it's to train in both: are making many changes to ensure that our leaders know each other, a joint and a multinational envi- that we have the best possible that there are personal relation- ronment. conditions for our soldiers and fami- ships built and that we understand lies while our armies are at war. how we are going to conduct our — What are the measures operations and so I think opportu- undertaken by USAREUR in — One of your objectives is nities like Joint Task Force - East allow order to enhance living condi- to increase the operational us to do both. We have Romanian tions for the military? Recently capability and the interoperabili- soldiers training on American equip- US Army decided to have their ty among NATO and coalition ment, we have Americans training troops on 15 months rotations. partners. How do you do that? on Romanian equipment and impor- Our rotations for active army I think there's two parts tantly we are exchanging tactics, have gone to 15 months in both about interoperability: there is the techniques and procedures.

14 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Interview

— From November 2007, — JTF-East's activities are ture at your training bases and USAREUR will have 60% of its not just about training. The US training areas but we also, where personnel deployed in theatres military will get involved in other we can, want to make improve- of operation. It is a considerable projects. Can you describe those ments in community projects. effort both for USAREUR and projects? And so we have projects that are the military families. Can you We want to make sure that on going right now. For instance explain that? we are not only training very we have a clinic in Constanta By this winter, about half realistically with your army but that we have navy Seabees, of my forces in Europe will be we also want to be good guests navy engineers working to reno- deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and part of our training in vate that facility. We will do and Kosovo primarily. That is a Romania is that we want to make more of that in the future as we continue Joint Task Force-East considerable effort on the part of sure that we help making invest- ments in the training infrastruc- rotations. „ US Army Europe and it's a con- siderable stress and strain on military families and so it is my job as a force provider to make sure that I provide trained and ready units and that I take care of the families while those units are deployed, so we've put a lot of emphasis on that.

— What is the importance of the NCOs corps for USAREUR? Now, one thing that I think is very important is that I know your army, the Romanian army is also transforming and one of the ways you are transforming is you want to develop a professional non-commissioned officer corp. And what you will see is whenev- er I come to Romania I bring Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa with me from United States Army Europe and we are committed to helping you grow your non-commissioned officers and develop them, school them, educate them and put them in the right positions in your army as part of your trans- formation process. We are com- mitted to helping you do that.

Nr. 1 z 2007 15 Romanian Land Forces Romanian Land Forces in action Signalmen From Craiova The Signal Training Battalion "Fratii Buzesti" (Buzesti Brothers) from Craiova may be considered a model for other units of the Romanian Land Forces because of the professionalism and competence of those who man it and also through its numerous training facilities.

Major Luigi-MMihail Cojocaru

ning the first day of 2007, when we enjoyed our coun- eaders from the superior echelons and the try's integration within the European Union, and the Defence minister, Teodor Melescanu, who Romanian Armed Forces quitted the military visited this unit, appreciated the material L service, the unit began training the first series of volunteer training base and the determination of those who form soldiers. themselves and perfect here their training.

A place of professionals Between tradition and modernization Details on ongoing activities and achievements of The unit in which more than 400 volunteers are the unit were provided to us by the battalion's comman- training together, has been continuing the training and der, Lieutenant Colonel Gheorghe Dinca, an officer hav- combat traditions of the former signal unit, the 46th Signal ing more than twenty years within his branch, a real com- and the 14th Signal Base. The actual battalion mander who proved tact and perseverance in selecting was recently set up, on the 1st of August 2006, on the the best people for his unit, signal trainers and subunit background of the Romanian Armed Forces transforma- leaders, from the former disbanded units, forming from tion and modernization process. them at the certain moment, a real and united team. With The professionalism and seriousness of the trainers his specific kindness, although his working agenda was have become outstanding aspects that represent basic heavy enough, Lieutenant-Colonel Dinca found a neces- coordinates in forming the new profile of the militaries: sary break to provide useful information to our readers. men dedicated to the military career, able to successfully — At the same time with the formation of specialists face the actual requirements and challenges imposed by in communication and informatics branch, he said, ano- setting up modern, pro- ther important activity is training within the first stage of fessional and at NATO the general military training for the militaries from all the standards armed for- branches of the combat support forces. ces. After finishing training in the unit, the volunteer sol- Maybe not by diers are manned in the operational units of the chance, as a Romanian Armed Forces, in order to accomplish the mis- sign of mo- sions that are specific to their positions. derniza- In this unit, there are also militaries who accom- tion, plished their military service within the former conscrip- begin- tion system. They have been training here, and if they choose to keep their branch, they attend seven week training; if they change their branch, the training period will last nine weeks. There are also militaries attending a perfecting and career course, such as the one for

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promoting to the rank of corporal, cific to the communication and infor- in common training with the batta- having duration of four weeks. matics branch, a complex training lion's militaries. —"This time (the 4th of Septem- range. ber - author's note) is the second The unit's library comprises day when in our battalion a new more than 13,000 volumes, and a The Armed Forces - a safe series of volunteer soldiers have multifunctional club in which more come. We are now in a so called than 150 soldiers may participate. and a real career administration period" - Lieutenant- The unit's material base is In the specialty rooms I met real professionals, trainers devoted Colonel Dinca added. happily completed with the facilities to their job, young people, boys and The young soldiers are get- existing in the garrison of Craiova, ting use to the military environment, girls at their first classes of general for instance, the outstanding sup- they get uniforms and individual training, "decoding" the first steps of weapons and they are shown the port of the Military Club on the the military career. main equipment and armament occasion of different cultural events "I'm training now a new con- from the endowment of the Roma- as well as the understanding mani- tingent of volunteer soldiers - NCO nian military units. It is an efferves- fested by Colonel Mihai Ciungu, the Gheorghe Gongu said. cent period, with many activities, garrison commander, as regards the I have a classroom for gene- whose finality is opening, in a access to the garrison firing ranges. ral training, theory. We begin the solemn atmosphere, of another new first steps of training with the ele- training stage. mentary notions. The militaries that I The battalion has a very train are not only from communica- good training base. There are 16 Optimism tions and informatics branch. Those specialty rooms, two of RNMC For future, ambitions of the belonging to other branches will leave for their units after two months (National Network of Communi- signalmen are great. They want their cation and Informatics) type, of training here, and we'll keep on unit to continue to be a part of the endowed with digital equipment preparing signalmen on branch and built this year by the support of education structures of the Roma- training. As regards female soldiers, Communication and Informatics nian Armed Forces, in the garrison they are easily accustomed to the Directorate of the Romanian Gene- of Craiova being a real tradition on training program at the same pace ral Staff. These are modernly communication and informatics trai- as males. We do not make discrimi- equipped rooms were militaries get ning. In this respect, it is kept an effi- nation in this respect." "To build a career in the mili- the possibility of forming their own cient contact with the unit's former skills necessary to handle the equip- tary is my dream. I like order, disci- commander and specialists who still ment they will meet in the opera- pline within the military and, why tional units or in those that are to share from their useful experience. not, the uniform which impose upon became operational. The signalmen from Oltenia oneself respect and an exemplary Unit has also analogical are optimistic. Next year, an Ame- conduct. I'm training for land equipment, training platforms spe- rican training team will participate " - Private Dorina Simon, a courageous girl from Bistrita, said. "In my opinion, the Armed Forces represents the single place where one can have a safe and a real career" - Private George Cimpoier said. "For future, I will learn more in order to promote and to build a solid future for myself" - he added. These are words that leave no place for other comments. It is also, perhaps, the merit of the trainers and specialist from this unit who inspired those young people with love and devotion for the arms career, through their per- sonal example, beyond any image campaign or media propaganda. „

17 Romanian Land Forces Romanian Land Forces in action The Scouts' Ardent Mornings The journalistic intrusion in the garrison of the green epaulets, Predeal offered me the opportu- nity to see the battalion's scouts at their work.

a story by Lieutenant-CColonel Emanuel BARBULESCU translated by maj. Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

ded - alongside trust and devotion, individual initiative - the esults recorded on the pages of the institutio- strong character of the alpine fighter. nal documents can say at first sight a conclu- Major Adrian Buzea, one of the commander's deputies, R sion upon the quality of these fighters. As the focused the role of the education within the training process: information resulted from statistics are glacial, I headed to "Creation of the situations and complex tactical sce- twelve hundred, the direction indicated by the battalion's com- narios requires a proper adaptation to the reality of the mo- mander, in order to surprise the essence of the scouts' training, dern combat field that is also extremely flexible. The proposed which is the support of the most thorough opinions. scenarios impose solutions for situations designed to develop What is relevant through the quality of the trained the fighter's qualities such as: courage, initiative, physical and teams is represented by the training diversity and intensity, psychical resistance, cohesion." always other ones. Alongside the thorough knowledge of the theory, these elements reunited within the professional approach outline the value of syntagm saying that a warned man is as valuable as At the first hour other two. For those scouts this syntagm is also their motto A terrain vehicle whose engine is steaming transports training, because at the basis of the efficient actions is inclu- me to Diham chalet on the muddy mountain roads wet by the

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spring rains. Patches of snow torn by wind increase the frozen image of the combat disposition set by the scouts of Second Lieutenant Claudiu Balea. I headed to the woods that were hiding that subunit, thinking that I would see their disposition. The light of my flash- light got dim. The scouts were very well sheltered and the atmos- phere was discreet and benumbed. I looked askance at a fir tree log where a silhouette was gradually fading away at the same time with the agony of my flashlight. Instantly I was encountered by three huge people co- vered by their camouflage combat uniforms. After presenting my ID, they directed me to the base of mission preparation, where the subunit commander was. On the operation map, there was marked the AOR with many routes from which the most vulnerable one was chosen. On two ammo bins, near the unfolded map there were also other two tourist maps on which there were threaded the colored signs of the mountain routes. Each detail on the maps was carefully analyzed by squad leaders and their EOD colleagues who came as combat sup- port. Till the "surprises" that were to be transmitted by radio stations, the 15 km marching route represented the main mission having as final point a place nearby the chalet called "Trei Brazi" (Three Fir Trees). Commander of the reconnaissance subunit, a fighter with an athletic body, a short and brush style hair cut and face tanned by wind and the flash of the alpine snow, indicates his subordinates the way they were to watch. The Second Lieutenant establishes missions for EOD engineers and NBC scouts. His fingers, long as scissors, insisted on some areas of interest, distinctly jotted on map. Since that moment, the usual word was "maximum vigilance!"

Laboratory lesson With the engine raced at their maximum limit, the steel giants are heading to the communicated objective. To drive a The signal of entering the exercise area, "the laborato- 14 ton APC on mountain roads requires not only special skills ry" was issued. APCs rapidly started and their wide wheels but courage. We crossed very well the broken thresholds in trod the land imbued with rain water. Huge mud drops were the woods and the narrow ways chamfered by rocky walls. sprinkling the high edges of the mountain road broken by tem- Sergeant-Major Belcea transmits the crew the received pest. The brusque stop of APC awoke me out of numbness. At message and, after a series of signals known only by his sub- the signal of the subunit commander, the EOD people and two ordinates, they take their equipment and leave the vehicle. NBC scouts jumped out of APC to check the bridge and the Scouts left the road making short jumps and they are nearby area with their own devices. Other mountain fighters approaching the communicated objective through the woods. wearing green berets were providing protection of their I know they are near the forested edge, but I cannot see them, actions. Being attentive to all what could move they were it's impossible. The "pilot" was located and three scouts reco- vered him, after giving him the first aid. ready to fire upon to all that might put in danger the mission. Suddenly, from somewhere, one opened fire upon us. Through the optical devices from the APC turret, the The scouts' blocking team alarmed the patrol. Rapid and short machine gunner was ready to response against the enemy's orders such as "I'm going down!" "I cover you!" "Enemy locat- attacks from land or air. The EOD men had something to work ed at four hundred!" "I'm heading to…"- one could hear, while and isolated a part of the carriage road till the bridge. On scouts were forwarding by jumping to the isolated enemy's both sides of the road the scouts melted in their own shadows. gun fire. The dynamic action, the good scouts' training and The tactical moment ended, and the subunit commander experience were successful again. The end of the tactical exer- approved the solution reported by the EOD team leader. By cise was reserved to the initiative spirit. I rarely had the oppor- radio message, a new mission and acknowledgement were tunity to see a withdrawal from a combat area by using alpine received. "This is ALFA; acknowledge movement to 12 hun- technical and tactical procedures. Ability of the squad leaders when preparing rappels and while roping down was outstand- dred, over!" ing! Alpine cords were lowered on four rappel directions and the scouts proved that the alpine training should be con- Search and rescue mission sidered a professional mastership. The "objective", the pilot, a The scouts of ALFA subunit are rapidly embarking in colleague who played that part, was recovered and he was the APC. They must rescue a pilot ejected himself nearby the also roped down. The APCs arrived in time and the subunit left enemy's combat disposition. safely the exercise area. „

Nr. 1 z 2007 19 Romanian Land Forces Romanian Land Forces in action The Lacustrine Experiences of Engineers

For almost two weeks, in the middle of August, mili- taries of subunits from the 10th Engineer Brigade "Dunarea de Jos" (the Down ), performed activities that are specific to the water training camps, nearby the village of Maracineni, on Buzau river and in Varsatura, on the left bank of Danube. In spite of the rainy weather, the brigade subunits accomplished efficiently the proposed training goals.

a story by Lieutenant-CColonel Florentin PARASCHIV translated by maj. Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

earby Maracineni, at approximate one kilo- dents; they achieved the combat support goals and meter upstream away from the well-known acted as infantrymen." - Major Constantin Andrei said. N road bridge over Buzau River, fix bridge subunits of the 96th Engineer Battalion, the 72nd Bridge Battalion, and 3rd Construction Battalion established in the period August 6 - 17 a water training camp. "The invisible veil" of scouts The day I arrived in camp, the militaries were in a We left the camp of Maracineni and performed full activity, at the moment when they were set the axis "the assault" occupying "a combat disposition" on the of the bridge. Only the heavy rain that came later inter- left bank of Danube at Varsatura, close to the floating rupted that activity, which was essential for the normal barracks of River Passage Battalion, the host of the course of the works. They were to launch at water the brigade's scouts and signalmen arrived in camp for device necessary to install the bridge infrastructure (pil- training. Weather seemed to be fine, sometimes a lars and bank supports). Unfortunately, rain came sud- strayed cloud remembered the previous days when denly embarrassing the engineers' intensions. In fact, we there were heavy rains in the area. were in a water training camp, and rain is also water, The scouts of Captain Catalin Florea had per- isn't it? Activities were resumed in that afternoon and formed reconnaissance of the water flow and had iden- continued the next day. Their pace was slow in order to tified the natural resources in the area that could be allow the new series of engineers to learn. It was the used when needed. The militaries trained themselves to general goal of the entire camp to acquire new know- cross the water flow with improvised devices, using ledge and to perfect skills and abilities. materials from the training area or from their unit's "On this occasion at the same time with the prac- endowment. The subunits commanders took into account tical activities of building the bridge, our militaries went that the training level of their subordinates was not homo- successfully through different tactical and technical inci- genous. From that reason, some lessons were resumed.

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While talking with my collo- The bridge that calls rain methodically learnt, step by step, cutors - Captain Catalin Florea and There is a superstition among each stage of the operation to final- Captain Sorin Gafencu - about the pontoneers saying that each time ly build the bridge. Firstly, they aspects regarding the scouts' train- they come to water to build a chose the proper place for the pas- ing, my attention was drawn by the bridge, rain comes upon them. This sage point, in this issue being rustle that was coming from the skirt superstition was confirmed within helped especially by scouts. Then, of the woods on the river bank. As the training exercise performed by they set the plans for anchoring the at a sign, from nobody knew, some the 2nd Floating Bridges Company berths upstream and downstream "creatures like willows" suddenly and the engineers who went through the bridge axis pointed out by two appeared. There were the engineers the hard and cold drops of a heavy colored banners thrust in the banks. who had performed their specific summer rain. Other specialists came afterwards activities in the area. Because of to build the access platforms to the their camouflage one couldn't see Building a passage point water flow and the landing places, them, confusing them with the natu- across the water flow supposes a to fix them according to the bridge ral environment. large range of preparation activities axis. That day, the rain started when I was always astonished at each of them having an outstanding they were finishing the bridge the scouts' skill of surrounding them- importance. Since in the structure of assembly. I left them working and I selves with mystery, of creating this subunit there are new employed improved substantially my know- "an invisible veil" to cover their militaries. Most of them had never ledge about achieving water flow traces. performed such operations; they passage point on that occasion. 

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Choose: the ferry, the barge or the rubber boat The background of the 10th Engr. Brigade as regards passing of forces and equip- ment over water flows would be incomplete without the contribution of the specia- lized subunits belonging to the River Passage Battalion. The Ship Groups 1 and 2, with the crews on boards, were redeployed in an area situated at 1 km upstream the military port, where they set a ship berth and performed activities specific to a water training camp. At the same time with the ship groups, in the area of Varsatura training range, in the camp was also rede- ployed the Landing Passage Company of the battalion. The battalion's commander,

www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Romanian Land Forces in action

Lieutenant-Colonel Gheorghe Soare, The water training camp was for the militaries belonging to the outlined that it was performed ended with a military complex exer- other branches of the brigade to assessment at company level, within cise of evaluation that lasted almost cross the river both with the endow- the Ship Groups 1 and 2 that set 20 hours. The whole unit's personnel ment devices and with the impro- passage platforms for ferries and contributed to successfully accom- vised ones. Finally, the activities barges. plish it. allowed the militaries of all the par- A pertinent conclusion upon ticipant structures to adapt them- "The subunits were embarked the way the activities were accom- selves to the requirements of the with their equipment and crossed plished was asserted by Colonel water training, thus achieving the the river from Varsatura area to Aurel Mainea: action cohesion at the levels of pla- Arapu Island. We also performed toon and companies. The water assessment at platoon level of the "Firstly, the water training training camp is one of the most militaries from the Landing Passage Company. We provided the equip- camp allowed the militaries from the important activities within this train- ment and the necessary materials specialized subunits to train them- ing year, because it comprised the having the support of the militaries selves with their own devices on the whole personnel of our brigade and from the 72nd Bridge Battalion and water passage matters. Then, they it is also the most efficient way of brigade subunits." provided the necessary conditions training the engineer structures." „

Nr. 1 z 2007 23 Romanian Land Forces Romanian Land Forces in action Flight Half Torment, Half Time

a story by Lieutenant-CColonel Danut CALDARARU Translated by Major Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

sweat of their coat and without seeing their feet tightened in the fields surrounding the garrison of their heavy shockproof boots. Some cannot the 60th Paratroops Battalion, even on understand that I can write about them, especially when half Onthe established height, the exercise of their scenario was destined to carry them close to the love scenario started. Missions are briefly, clearly and with intona- for the high and the theory of the smallest flight squares. tion ordered by staff officers. I had a nostalgic moment remem- I was talking to Lieutenant Nicolae Grigore, student bering a Romanian movie, "The Paratroopers" in which the and graduate of rangers' course who was manipulating and same moments of marching subunits to the combat area, of seeking the words of conversation as his body was waving preparing weapons, equipment and forces to fight a vigilant among the suspending ropes, thinking always that his life and powerful enemy, were caught in the sight of the binocu- depends on an edge of a suspending rope. lars gradated lens and shooting camera. But the played image of a company on a 40 km march route, with soldiers carrying The flight mathematics a heavy equipment exceeding much more the norms allowed, I leave my curiosity in the suggestions of Lieutenant cannot make me feel comfortable. You cannot speak about Adriana Alecu, the battalion's psychologist and PIO. the paratroopers' missions, about the men of the suspending The idea according to the parachutism is "flight mathe- ropes if you don't live the moments close to them, smelling the matics" is fascinating me yet. I was hearing the voices of the

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signalmen of the radio relay station. They were checking the parachute cupola. In the sky I could see the first "stains" radio channel with the ones from flight command post. At the thrown from the wind pipe, waving their bodies suffocated by extremity of the concrete runway two firemen cars were the high suspending ropes. I asked some of my collaborators aligned. Lieutenant Vasile Moldoveanu checked the mission information about the exercise scenario continuation. I left on order and transmitted the commands to the volunteer soldiers, my notebook a sentence sounding as in the chronicle of Miron Mirel Zamfir, Cristian Babau and Ion Mateescu. Remotely, Costin: flight - half torment, half time. Captain Cornel Mirea signalized to the flight deputy. The paratroopers have a well done weather forecast information The eternity of a second system; they know how to adjust the grid probabilities and I knew from the rules of firing upon the moving targets they can juggle with the wind speed much better than the a relation for setting corrections and time of falling down on extremes of the Western football. The vibrations of the transport air- craft blew my cap. The first crew prepared orderly to perform the jump. They had their faces congested. I scarcely could look at the aircraft mechanic and pilot. I was sad that I couldn't accompany them. I would not feel their sensations while per- forming the reconnaissance tour, I would not see the moving of their eyes when they were looking at the colleague who was heading to the aircraft jumping trap. In a word, I didn't have the possibility to know their always extraordinary hypotheses, their boldness to seek the blue silence. Flight has its mathematics. It begin at more than 1,000 m altitude, the sky is a geometric place aircraft become axioms, the paratroopers finally are conclusions that make us understand the Euclidian transformations through the rotations and translations that take place under the

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soil. According to the scenario, I thought that in about 10 weapons, put on them the gas masks and occupied the minutes, the paratroopers would be on soil, folding the para- defense positions. The green earth patches were covered by chute veils. My own professional formation, tended to put me the parachute silk veils. The collocutors were not intimidated in a didactic framework. I was losing my emotional construc- by the recorder. I knew that their kindness was a consequence tion and the capacity to understand the eternity of a second. of a particular life experience permanently enriched with new I tried to put myself in the feelings of NCOs Nicolae Baciu, values. Captain Cornel Mirea said that "there, among clouds, Eduard Marin, Ion Cojocaru and Neculai Fratila. They were it is a fight with your chance; you try to stay alive as a mother sportsmen of performance. They made acrobatic games in the sweats hard to give birth to a child." sky torn by sun. Through the gradations of binoculars I could It might be, indeed, a remarkable argumentation for a see the worried faces of those who were on soil. In the eterni- poetic speech of this officer considered by his colleagues as ty of seconds a thinks only of the ill luck of the 17 "the poet of the high risk overalls." incidents and of KAP-3 double command safety device. Only Lieutenant Vasile Moldoveanu was supervising his sub- imagination wanted to follow those whose lives are on an ordinates from the main weapons, when he felt me trying to edge of suspending ropes. They successfully reached the soil challenge him to a brief dialogue: without incidents. A young girl, Lieutenant Adriana Alecu was "I get used to fly. I like to combine the navigation pro- running to them, to the landing point. cedures with those ones from the soil. I know that some hard days are to come. But, what it matters most is my fulfillment as Interview near parachute veils a paratrooper." Corporal Mirel Zamfir and NCO Eduard Marin landed I could see NCO Nicolae Baciu in the left flank of the very close to the combat disposition. They damped very well combat position. He prepared his weapons for repelling a the jump and from reflex started to whip the suspending ropes. superior enemy force that reached before the defense posi- Immediately, at 10 m behind me landed the volunteer soldiers, tion. Cristian Babau, Ion Mateescu and NCOs Ion Cojocaru and "Indeed, from down one can see in a different way the Neculai Fratila. They checked their compasses, took out the flight. Seconds could be recorded on a timer. But up, in the sky, their value is lived at the maximum limit. I will confess all about this value, maybe, later." I didn't write about paratroopers, about their lives hanging on the suspend- ing ropes. I heard something about their special team spirit. At least, this opinion was confirmed to me by volunteer pri- vate, Ion Mateescu who "annihilated" some enemy's scouts from his temporary firing position. "I'm not afraid of jumping or alti- tude and clouds that pinch my helmet. As a former conscript private and sport paratrooper I understood the value of your mate. When he offers you help, which means, while dancing with clouds, that somebody is always with you." Corporal Cristian Babau was annoyed. The moment he jumped out the aircraft he felt his right leg benumbed. Was it, maybe, the fear? Was it a sign of the hard training? Anyhow, he told me that "for a paratrooper everything means a fight against time and in time." I couldn't define the geometric place felt by paratroops combatants. Yet, I have the belief that the joy of that day depended on the edges of the sus- pending ropes. If I put in an equation the paratroopers' missions I would say: courage, love for profession, the geome- try of quitting, danger, and gratitude for the second of longevity - even on the edges of the suspending ropes. „

26 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Theatre Areas of Operations

It's Good When You Have Dirt on Hands a story by Captain Marius VINTILESCU translated by Livia PÎRVA

ble for it. Such people are the military of the maintenance here are people whose importance is subunits. noticed only when things go wrong. They There, in Lagman base in Zabul, Afghanistan, there T could be compared to "the roots", the actor are people such as those from the maintenance of the 33rd wrote about. People who often, are not taken into consid- Mountain Troops Battalion. After getting the necessary eration even when doing their work professionally; yet, approvals, I went to the motor pool. I met Sergeant first when something goes wrong, they are the main responsi- class Liviu Cioara who, when hearing that I wanted to

Nr. 1 z 2007 27 Romanian Land Forces Theatre Areas of Operations

write about them looked at me as he had the feeling that he discovered a living octopus in the wash bowl. Probably the motor pool is the only place of a military unit where it's a good idea to have your hands and clothes dirty. Petty officer Petru Sotir and Private Razvan Floroiu are dealt with repairing an armored reconnaissance personnel carri- er, a TABC 79. They are not responsible for maintenance but the convoy is from their unit and it's better for crews to cooperate in such instances. It was 5 o'clock in the afternoon and they were rushing to finish their work, to fix an engine pis- ton in its place. They took into consideration that during that week there were teams of equipment specialists from the country deployed in the theaters of operation, military and civil personnel from Bucharest, Targoviste and Sibiu. In fact, everybody seemed to be in a hurry. Warrant officers Marius Urea and Anghelina Marius from maintenance and technical sup- port were running from one team to another as the football players from Dynamo team, while W.O. Marian Soare car- ried different parts of on engine, whose names I didn't know at all. Even the platoon's commander, Lieutenant Cristi Baiasu had unusual substances on his hands. I spent in the motor pool about one hour, and after tak- ing a few pictures I joined them. For those who don't know, the military from mainte- nance subunits are as important as infantrymen, mountain troops, artillery specialists, the signalmen or other category of personnel. „

28 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Theatre Areas of Operations The Iraqi People Look at Us Hoping That Things Will Get Better One Day

Civil and military cooperation projects, or as we call them - CIMIC - in the theater areas of operations are as important as the missions that the fighters take part in order to maintain stability and security in the regions

of responsibility. 

Captain Cristian CÃNUCI translated by Cristina PÎRVA

ivil and military cooperation projects, or as bility and security in the regions of responsibility. we call them - CIMIC - in the theater areas Gaining local people's trust represents the main C of operations are as important as the mis- tool of each commander who, in order to provide the sions that the fighters take part in order to maintain sta- mission success, considers these projects having the

Nr. 1 z 2007 29 Romanian Land Forces Theatre Areas of Operations

same importance as the missions accomplished by his began the new school year, on October 1. subordinates. The project of this school renewal with new class- "To support the local population is a major objec- rooms was firstly issued one year ago, by the tive for us - Lieutenant-Colonel Cristian Dinulica, the Transylvanian Dragons from the 811th Infantry Battalion commander of the 32nd Infantry Battalion from from . The infantrymen of the 495th Infantry Timisoara said. We have mission in a wide area of 60 Battalion "Stefan Soverth" from Bucharest took it over 000 km2, a desert area. This kind of climate is very dif- and supervised it while its development, and "Yellow ficult for the Iraqi local people; they don't have water, Scorpions" from Timisoara established as their first conditions for a decent life, they enjoy medical assis- objective the accomplishment of this project, for the tance only after walking on long distances for it, and school become useful before the first school day. those cottages they live in can t be called real houses. They all see us as their hope. These six months can't After knowing the actions of military from pass without leaving something behind us. We'll do Timisoara in the civil and military cooperation field, LTC everything is necessary to support them. Andrew Mayfield appreciated the way the infantry men These difficulties of local people in Dhi Qar and used these actions to gain local people's trust. Al Muthanna Provincess which were the responsibility of Yellow Scorpions' missions are focused on 32nd Infantry Battalion "Mircea", were known by the actions of a decent life for peasants who are far away British LTC Andrew Mayfield, the chief of funds plan- from civilization, with poor living conditions and without ning regarding civil and military cooperation projects medical assistance. Therefore, medical actions took (CIMIC) of South-East Multinational Division, when he place as they were planned by the doctors of the 32nd met the battalion's commander and the Romanian Infantry Battalion. In this way we come closer to Iraqi CIMIC officer. The meeting took place when the school people, proving the peaceful message of the Romanian in Al Badur was inspected, school which were to be military and the ideals they fight for in this country, an open at the end of September, before the Iraqi pupils unstable country. „

30 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Theatre Areas of Operations

Patrolling in the Unknown a story by W.O. Elena Popescu translated by Major Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

ou stand stiff, with the cheek stuck against So cannot do anything else but twisting his cigarette the turret of the APC, Listening to your own among the fingers remaining for a monument dreamy. Y heart beats. We all stopped talking for a long time. Above you, for away, stars are thrilling in the sky. Night seemed to stop the time. You're rising your head, looking across the rood, blinking Crickets seemed to be also numbed and painful an eye, trying to pass the silence interrupted by the silence was setting in. crickets song. You have listened for a long time keeping Are we waiting for something and we don't know? your breath. We have been patrolling for a few hours Maybe the dawn or anything else? ?? crossing the depth of the night. We are starting at the first noise and our breath is We are going slowly gnashing our teeth and having stifled. the eyes half closed, to protect ourselves against dust. We are looking at the rood, listening to… We are tired after march ? night in force, our lips are Slowly we start moving. The cold air of night out our cheeks as the sickle cuts the maize, keeping us awake. dried, our wrinkled foreheads are dirty, our wrinkled We are marching and marching and the rood seems to foreheads are dirty, sweat is trickling along the temple, be longer in the night coolness as we are moving away bathing the dusty cheeks, and the disheveled hair is from the base. getting out and there, beneath the heavy helmet. I'm rising??? my forehead to the sky at the story We stopped for a while. vault. Somebody is asking for a bottle of water. My body is comprised by happiness. You are looking at the way he drinks, gurgling with "It is good to live, it is good… " - I told to mysey thirst, and you cannot tell, him without smiling: "Maybe shaking my head. you have not drunken for a week!". He, our mate wipes I'm looking at one of my mates and see him smiling. his lips with the sleeve of his dusty coot, leaving a white His thought maybe is flying amoy??? to the baby his trace on his foee ?. wife expects. Our benumbed bodies are craving for a He is turning up without saying a ward, putting his warm both and a hospitable bed. Base appears in our hands to the eye, peer into the dark curtain of the night. sight as a coloured??? repot an this harsh and barren He would like to light a cigarette as he saw in war pictures. Sun shyly rises becoming brilliant and brilliant, movies, but he cannot because be night disclose his showing us the way towards home, leaving back the Photo:. Dan BOBAN presence in the area. rocky and shapeless mountains. „

Nr. 1 z 2007 31 Romanian Land Forces People under arms I've Been a Student at West Point At West Point every day is different from the others. Each day has a certain specific, based on the year you are into, on the season, on the football tournament sea- son of the academy team, on projects or on many other factors which, at first sight, seem insignificant.

Second Lieutenant Marian TEODORESCU translated by Nataniel TRANDAFIR

here are certain moments that repeat, minutes are left until the formation is closed and what related to the daily routine which became uniform is to be worn. Before breakfast, they announce T an unwritten law in this prestigious institu- the tables to which they were assigned, the menu for tion which has a tradition of over 200 years. that morning, they pour coffee and other drinks for the A day in the life of a cadet in his 1st year starts other tables, and after that they receive the permission with the wake/up call, at 05:30, and with the morning to have their breakfast. Next the cadets attend the daily schedule, resembling the one we have. Then organizing courses individually. The 1st year cadets are not allowed the work teams follows. One group to talk, watch or move around without a purpose from brings the morning news- the moment they left their personal room. At lunch time papers - The New York - they gather once again in formation, they give a report from the ground floor, where regarding the cadets' presence, then they head for the the press is brought, and mess hall/dining facility. During lunch, the 1st year cadets delivers them to the per- have to fulfill the same tasks as for breakfast. After they sonal rooms of the cadets finish their meal, they can opt for different activities, in the higher years, res- ranging from briefings to spending time on their own. pecting both a certain Then they have two more hours of classes, until 16:00, order and an esthetic and after that they can take part in different sports or sense. Another group parade activities, or they can choose to spend time on of cadets clean the their own. The 1st year cadets have some more tasks common areas - bath- starting with 18:00, like delivering clean laundry to the rooms, showers, hall- cadets in the higher years, which has to be accom- ways, living rooms and plished in a certain manner and sequence. During this others. Other cadets dressed time the 1st year cadets are approached and "interroga- in uniforms especially desig- ted" by the cadets in higher years regarding some orga- ned for the day in progress nizational issues concerning the academy, ranks or tra- group themselves in front of ditions, which the "interrogated" by the cadets in higher the official watches located at years regarding some organizational issues concerning each level 10 minutes before the academy, ranks or traditions, which the "freshmen" each call the 1st should know by heart and answer without hesitation. year cadets The day ends with the compulsory individual study for announce the cadets in their 1st year, which takes place in their per- how many sonal room, until 23:30 when they all have to be in bed.

www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces People under arms

Starting with the 2nd year, the daily schedule becomes more lenient, on one hand because after a year the cadets start to become accustomed to the rules imposed by the academy, and on the other hand because they have already taken a step towards "se- niority". The schedule for a cadet in a higher year is not composed of so many administrative tasks, instead focusing more on activities related to education and responsibility, thus studying becoming more and more difficult. The compulsory individual study becomes optional as well as the time to go to bed. The cadets in higher years have more and more freedom, but also higher responsibilities, a lot more work to do, being allowed however to adjust their schedule based on their necessities. The cadets must also maintain a good phy- sical condition in order to be able to pass their physical training tests. During this time they are involved in a great variety of complex projects that can last up to one year, based on the courses they attend. During the four years three fields in which cadets are involved can be pointed out: the academic program, the military program and the physical training program. The academic program starts from the 1st year of study, where the focus is on general knowledge courses, and goes up to the 4th year, where the focus is big scale projects and in which cadets get involved for the entire year of study. The cadets can choose from a wide range of disciplines, from physical training to spacecraft engi- neering, because the academy trains the cadets also for the moment in which they won't be a part of the military system anymore. The academic program "teaches"you how to learn, not what to learn, practice being consi- dered a primary objective. The military program is divided in two sections - theory and practice. The theory consists of shaping the fighter and officer frame of mind/mindset/mentality, developing the leadership sense, as well as the know- ledge of how the military system is organized and func- tions. The practice part takes place during summer, and lasts for two months, when the cadets take part in dif- ferent specialization exercises and courses with a varied level of difficulty. During the field exercises they prac- tice firing with all types of weapons used by the US Army, from 9 mm caliber pistols to 150 mm caliber can- nons, as well as long marches, or rough training in para- trooper or air assault schools. The physical training program has a primary objective maintaining the cadets at the existent stan- dards of physical ability and endurance. At the same time the physical training program also teaches the cadets how to maintain their good physical shape after graduating the academy. „

Nr. 1 z 2007 Romanian Land Forces People under arms A Student From Iasi in France Between the 29th of January and the 8th of June 2007, our colleague, Captain Gabriel Turculet attended the land-forces courses at the Land Forces School in Compiegne, France.

Catalin MAFTEI translated by Mãdãlina MORTU

aptain Gabriel Turculet not only attend- they focused on themes ed the course, but the appreciations regarding the military mail; C received at the graduation of the course afterwards the effort was could impress even the best officers from different transferred to the tactical forces. part, where they studied As it follows I asked our colleague to share scenarios of conventional or something about the way a famous army prepares asymmetrical armed conflict. his land forces officers. The schedule consisted Land Forces Course's aims at forming and per- of eight hours daily, a time fecting officers that work or are going to work for designed both for the class- land forces staff in order to be able to study, ana- es coordinated by teachers lyze and propose selections to different general or and also for individual tactical problems to present options in taking mili- study. At the same time, tary decisions, to elaborate land forces documents there was a possibility to necessary to lead military operations, to work within attend additional courses the command post on different positions. on different subjects head- The 19 week-course was organized in two peri- ed by the teachers, or to ods: a 3 - month and half period of common training, study individually out of the the other period being designed for specializing. course classes, the logistic The first part focused on general military and material base being knowledge, operational military knowledge, techni- always available for the cal field knowledge, computer skills, English lan- students. The teaching board guage proficiency, working in the command post is made up of officers, civi- and conferences about general interest. In the second lian English teachers or non - part, the focus was on working in the command post commissioned officers from and using command control procedures, as well as the training center. operational standard procedures. During the training peri- The evaluation process was a continuous one; od they proved to be compe- it was developed on the entire period of course. At tent and professional in form- the end of each period, students were evaluated and ing the future staff officers. To the scores they got were used to calculate a final the lessons held by the teachers average. were added conferences on dif- The training process aim is to accomplish the ferent present themes, with the proposed objectives by going through all the stages, help of the military or civilian from simple to complex, combining theoretical acti- personnel of high proficien- vities into practical ones (SIMEX). In the first part, cy. „

34 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture

Transformation in the Military Education • Military education system operates according to the national educational standards • New concepts in professional training and professional development of the military personnel. • 9-month period is necessary for specializing in branch the Army Academy graduates

Lieutenant-CColonel Dragos ANGHELACHE translated by Corina STRAT

mong Land Forces Military Staff priorities of education A this year there is system also the human resource. That is operates why, this year a great attention according will be also paid to improving to the training of personnel headquar- national ters, large units, units and subunits from the Land Forces. educational Brigadier-General Ph.D. standards Nicolae Roman, Chief of Training and regula- and Doctrine Directorate within tions of the the Romanian Land Forces Staff, Defense specified that military education Ministry in will be developed according to order to the national educational stan- develop dards and regulations of the the socio- Defense Ministry in order to deve- professio- lop the socio-professional skills stated in the graduate's profile. nal skills The Land Forces units and sub- stated in units training process will also the take place according to modern graduate's principles and concepts, veri- profile

Nr. 1 z 2007 35 Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture

fied/applied within other NATO member states' forces which develops fighting skills in during recent military conflicts and missions in opera- the some way, time, place tions theaters. In addition to this, General Roman also being based on the same stated that accomplishing a total and interesting vision training program." - of forces training as a part of the general training explained Colonel Gargaz. process, interoperability achievement regarding the After that each person training field along with NATO members states' Land will complete their spe- Forces and the implementation of the command and cial training by attending control concepts at Land Forces level is taken into a separate module account. within. Regarding military students' education/training, Colonel Marian Gargaz, Chief of the Education Compartment within the Romanian Land Forces Staff, stated the fact that, starting with 2008, there will be implemented new concepts regarding professional training, development and involvement of officers, consequently warrant officers and NCO'S within Romanian Land Forces. During this period "we came up to some conclusions, disfunctions, compulsions which made us revise the curriculum of all institutions in order to reach the goal that we've designed according to the graduate's profile". One of the long-term concerns of Land Forces Staff regarding teaching activi- ty in military education institutions is for the Land Forces Academy to be able to orga- We want to bring into discussion how to nize and develop master thoroughgoing stu- dies in the fields the Academy is authorized redesign the study curricula and the analy- for, beginning the next educational year. tical ones for specializing in branch the "Another very important issue that we Land Forces Academy graduates according want to bring into discussion is to redesign the study curricula and the analytical ones to a minimum 9-month period for specializing in branch the Land Forces Academy It's a new approach, which will be put into prac- graduates according to a minimum 9-month period; we tice starting with this school year; even more, this pro- consider that this period is long enough for developing gram with unique standards will be also introduced in the skills and abilities necessary for a platoon com- the training for the first military volunteers mander of an army branch". At the level of the Land who will be trained by the Land Forces Staff starting Forces Staff leadership it was considered that the exist- with April. By the end of this year, the girl's minimal ing 6-month training period wasn't sufficient for prepar- height limit for entering into military college/ high ing a true specialist in branch an officer with command schools will rise. skills necessary for carrying out the specific missions of "We've noticed during a few series of students the subunits. that smaller girls didn't grow as much as the boys and Within Training and Doctrine Directorate there is the fact that they encountered problems when entering also developing and will be soon authorized a program into Land Forcer Academy. We've decided to rise the which stipulates unique standards for initial and basic actual limit for entering into high school with 4-5 cm, so training of the personnel that joins Land Forces System, that the limit entering into LFA or Warrant Officers and as students or as civilians, to attend the NCO training NCO'S School, to be at least 1.65m", concluded course directly or as volunteers. "It's a unique program Colonel Gargaz. „

36 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy at 160 Years On June 13, 1847, by 's ruler Gheorghe Bibescu royal mandatory nr.136, in Bucharest was created the first officers school, whose tradition is kept nowadays with honour by "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy in Sibiu. a story by Lieutenant-CColonel Claudiu IORDACHESCU translated by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU

considerable number of graduates of this institution, from the generations that A alternated at the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, live today in the people's minds for their self-sacrifice. The old town on Cibin hosted on June 13 the celebration of its 160 anniversary. The team lead by the Academy's president Colonel Professor Ph.D. Alexandru Babos, mobilized itself exemplarily, succeeding in organizing high quality manifestations, according to the event essence. In this respect, this important celebration was opened by the scientific communication session of students, called "SECOSAFT-2007" (11-12.06.2007), the 12th edition. The scientific works presented on this occasion and reunited under the aegis "The student scientific creation at the beginning of the 21st century" benefited by the participation of more than 45 invitees from nine European countries, USA and Canada. The anniversary day, June 13, started with a meet- ing inside the academy hall and continued with a reli-

Nr. 1 z 2007 Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture

gious and military ceremonial in the Big Square of Sibiu city which this year got the title of European cultural capital. The end of ceremony belonged to the students who presented demonstrative exercises for the assis- tance. Important persons assisted the ceremony: Corneliu Dobritoiu secretary of state and chief of the Planning and Defence Policy Department in Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Sorin Ioan - Deputy in Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Teodor Frunzeti - chief of Land Forces Staff, General- Major Ph.D. Ioan Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps commander, Generals and officers with important posi- tions within the superior structures of the military, units and subunits commanders, many of them former stu- dents of the academy, church high representatives, members of the local public administration. The religious service was officiated by a high membership of priests starting with His Excellency Visarion Rasinareanul, the dean archbishop of Sibiu. The Romania's President Message transmitted through Presidential Decree on this occasion was read in the presentation ending and the Academy's War Flag was decorated with the Order "Military Virtue" in Knight Rank. A large number of the teaching-staff and acade- my officers were awarded with medals by the officials at the ceremony, such as: "The Honour Emblem of Land Forces", Excellency diplomas - offered by the minister of Education, Research and Youth, anniversary distinc- tions. In the evening, starting with 9.30 p.m., the military students made a demonstration of torchlight, on an iti- nerary comprising the main avenues of the city. Present during the manifestations, Major- General Ph.D. Ioan Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps commander stated: "33 years ago I walked out the gates of this glorious institution as young Lieutenant and began my career. On my new road I had the privilege to receive the highest honors and rewards for my activities. I became who I am here in this military academy. I found again today, with deep and pleasant feelings, some of my former comman- ders, a part of my former teachers, now retired. I saw again my classroom, the alleys where I spent years of my youth.(...)I lived with a deep and sincere emotion this event and I am convinced that I will come back to Sibiu garrison with pleasure (...)". „

38 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture An Ambitions Plan For the Military Circle of Ploiesti

It is somewhat usual for he inhabi- tants of Ploiesti to hear music when they are passing under the windows of the Military Circle. Beyond the walls pointed in clay, there is permanently

a story by Lieutenant Colonel Dragos AGHELACHE translated by Major Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

is somewhat usual for he inhabitants of It Ploiesti to hear music when they are passing under the windows of the Military Circle. Beyond the walls pointed in clay, there is permanently somebody who has to do re- hearsals. In fact, during the last years, the building on Golesti street, NO. C, become the cultu- ral center of the active and reserve militaries of the garrison of Prahova county. To them, also civilians join. There are activities that, being repeated for years, become already a tradition. Even here one con mention "The Evenings of November" or "Eminescu Evenings" on each January 15 (his birthday).

Nr. 1 z 2007 39 Romanian Land Forces Education and Culture

Here are invited actors from "Toma Caragiu" theatre or musi- cians from the "Paul Constantinescu" Philharmonic Orchestra, in order to offer the public a few hours of music and poetry. It is on approach through which one tries to be closer to arts mastered by Caliope, Ercatoo and Eriterpe. This activity has been initiated by the former chief of the Military Circle, Vasile Simion and has been continued with inspiration by bis dis- ciple, Neculai Vicol. Singer of folk music and romance, with concerts held inside the country and abroad, awarded with prizes in different festivals, Vicol proposed for himself two projects during this As regards the institution development, the year, that could be considered ambitions ones. Military Circle already calla borates strongly both In the artistic plan he wants the Military with the theatre and philharmonic orchestra from Circle of Ploiesti to win the first prize at all the fes- Ploiesti and also with the Inspectorate for Culture tivals organized by the Ministry of Defence. of Prahova County, the County Library "Nicolae It is, indeed, am extreme ambitions plan, but Iorga", the Country Museum of History and he considers it feasible because it is based both on Archaeology and Syndicates Culture House. One the singers with remarkable voice (Mrs. Domnica cannot neglect the fact that the employees of the Sorescu-Voicu, a remarkable voice, laureate of the Military Circle have TV apparition on the Alpha TV, Golden Chrysanthemum Festival and Mrs. Letitia the local TV station almost weekly. On the "inter- Gheorghe, With very good talent at dramatic art) nal" plan,??? the Military Circle organizes courses and on the talents made within the creation circles of sport dance and of English. of this institution. Additionally here performs circle of radio Under the roof of the Military Circle perform- amateurs (who won prizes at the national and ers their activity the "Doina Dorului" melancholy international levels), and of tailoring, audio-video music group the "Lied" light music band and "Le movie projection and finally folk music. Dom" folk group, "the Barracks" theatre formation. The second project of Mr. Vicol aims at cre- ating a tradition hall in collabora- tion with the County Museum of History and Archaeology and with the county branch of the national associations such as Heroes Cult and of the Reserve and Retreating military personnel. More than that, Mr. Vicol he also being a military reserve offi- cer - was inspired from an approach of the municipality authorities and he intends to organize a club of the military personnel retreated to pension through which these ones could benefit from the facilities offered by the Military Circle of Ploiesti, both the cultural ones and of spending their spare time. „

40 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro ""DDiimmiittrriiee CCaanntteemmiirr"" MMiilliittaarryy HHiigghh SScchhooooll ffrroomm BBrreeaazzaa aatt IIttss 9955tthh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy

Photo: LTC Dragoº ANGHELACHE

Romanian Land Forces Military Equipment EXPOMIL Bucharest 2007 Between the 18th and the 21st of October 2007, one can admire state-of-the-art military equipment, inside the area of the exhibition complex, ROMEXPO, Bucharest. a story by Lieutenant-CColonel Dragos AGHELACHE and Major Luigi-MMihail COJOCARU

he international exhibition of military equip- ment, EXPOMIL, reached its 5th edition and it T was organized by ROMEXPO staff together with the Romanian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Reform, ROMARM and PETROMIL companies. More than 100 companies from 18 countries - Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Turkey and the United Kingdom - par- ticipated in. This aspect highlight the presence within EXPOMIL both of NATO member states and other ones deeply involved in fight against the international terrorism. "An exhibition on military matters is necessary because it makes a natural connection between Romania's constant preoccupations for interoperability and the world of business- men, specialists, producers, and merchants directly involved alongside the military, in achieving the programs of moderni- zing the combat equipment, relaunching the national defence industry and exports in this field." - Catalin Trifu, manager of Organizing ROMEXPO Markets and Exhibitions. The range of exhibits was diversified and it comprised: systems and equipment for the land forces, naval forces and aviation, systems for command, control, communication and informatics, EOD devices, equipment for the internal security, weapons and defence systems, basic facilities for supporting missions, protection, safety, survival and risk, uniforms and individual equipment, services. CARFIL SA is a branch of ROMARM Agency. At the 5th According to our readers interests, our reporters visited edition of EXPOMIL this company exhibited its traditional the stand of prestigious companies both from Romania and products that are known in all the world markets. For this year abroad, dealt with military equipment for the land forces. it came with something new. The bombs were equiped Many of them have a long and traditional collaboration with with components made in cooperation with a partner from the Romanian Ministry of Defence within the complex process Germany, Junkhans Co, that is known as the best fuse produ- of upgrading the military equipment. Of course, firstly, our cer. CARFIL SA made also the 40 mm explosive - incendiary reporters headed to the stands Romanian ones. Specialists did round for RPG-7, portable antitank grenade launcher (AG-7). not hesitate to answer the questions and to provide interesting It is an absolute novelty for this calibre and the company is details on the exhibits present. considered pioneer. Other new exhibit was the active - reac-

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Resita Beginning 1997, the armament pro- ducers from Resita have been collaborating with OERLIKON CONTRAVES from Switzerland, a company that belongs now to Rheinmetal. Together with them, they made the 2x35 antiaircraft artillery battalion whose equipment endowed three operational anti- aircraft battalions. It was also made with them and the National Research Agency for Military Equipment and Technology - ROMARM, the 25 mm gun equiping the infantry combat vehicle made in Mizil. The armament producers from Resita have also artillery equipment in different stages of upgra- ding, such as: the 100 mm antitank gun that can also fire the arrow round, the 100 mm mountain and the 152 mm howitzer in two variants that has a device helping the load operations. One doesn't need to put the howitzer barrel in horizontal position when loading the 40-50 kg round and have to fire tive 120 mm round, with its range improved to 15 km, known under large angles. The loading devices were improved by as BAC 15. This round is fired from the 120 mm mortar, slightly making a pneumatic system that loads the rounds even under modified, meaning that the mortar barrel is a little longer than large firing angles thus recovering the time lost by bringing that one of the classic mortar. Other traditional products that back the barrel in a horizontal position. The armament works underwent modifications are as follows: the 60 mm bombs, the from Resita came into being in 1972. In April, they celebrated 81-82 mm bombs and the 120 mm bombs in an explosive, the 35 years anniversary. All this time the works personnel smoke, incendiary and illumination configuration. Of course, have been making artillery equipment for the Romanian there were also modified the wellknown bombs of RPG - 7 and Armed Forces. All what have been delivered till now are reli- the 73 mm ones for RPG-9 (AG-9) antitank grenade launcher. able devices but they need a serious maintenance.

46 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Military Equipment

loped the 30 mm ammunition for the naval systems, the NN 30, AK 630 and AK 306 with manoeuvre ammunition for receiving the artillery systems during the periodical inspections, overhauls and demonstra- tive firing exercises. Outside the EXPOMIL pavilion there were exposed the new and modern Romanian armored personnel carrier (APC), SAUR, produced by Automecanica Moreni, the infantry armored vehicle MLI 84 M produced by MFA Mizil and upgraded in cooperation with RAFAEL from Israel, alongside the Romanian , TR 85 M1 the Bucharest Mechanical Plant. SAUR represents a new APC solution for the actual requiments of the modern battlefield. It is totally different from the APC models existing in the S.C. Uzina Mecanica Plopeni S.A. Romanian Land Forces units. It is generous as regards the ( Plopeni Mechanical Works ) inner space, that allows rapid entrance and evacuation of Plopeni Mechanical Works presented at this edition of personnel. It can be also equiped with any type of RCWS EXPOMIL some systems of electronic counter measures for air- weapon system, it is an amphibious vehicle and it has a power- craft, helicopters and armor vehicles. One of these novelties is ful American engine of 275 HP. Modern sighting systems and the counter measure system with dual action for armored vehi- also, the night vision devices allow the vehicle to operate in cles, both in infrared and radiolocation. Recently, the dual sys- any conditions of time and low visibility. It could be proper for tem in radiolacation and smoke camouflage was tested. It the actual theatres of operations taking into consideration its were also perfected - and there are certainly requests for the high performances and adaptability to the battle environ- next year - counter measure systems for helicopters, CHAF ment. and FLARE 1x1 and 1x2. Among other exhibits presented it The Romanian main battle tank, TR 85 M1 is an effec- was also the war head for the missile with increased range and tive solution for the battlefield of today. It is made in collabo- load with dual effect sub-ammunition. The missile has 80 km ration with companies from France, such as SFIM, EADS, range, 380 dual effect grenades with a dispersion of SAGEM, KOLLMORGEN, RKS and L'HOTELLIER. Its per- 400x400 m. During the last months, there were also deve- formances can be demonstrated by:

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z Effective weapons that provide: high lethality against admire the SAMSON -RCWS which is an advance develop- all target types due to the APFSDS rounds and firing range, ment of the previous generation's overhead weapon stations stabilized and accurate gun, day and night sighting system (OWS), which were pioneered jointly by RAFAEL and Israeli with IR/ light intensifier, modern control fire system. Defense Forces (IDF) to provide the best available protection z Improved survivability through: additional passive for the crew. The system provides also "on the move" target armor, laser illumination warning sensors, flare/smoke aquisition and firing. It has a low silhouette and it is light- grenade launcher, rapid fire supression system, NBC protec- weight. It can be easily mounted on any type of vehicle. PRO tion. OPTICA may be also, in the next future, another serious z Improved mobility provided by: a modern, powerful Romanian partner for RAFAEL and the Israeli specialists hope engine and transmission system, effective suspension, hydro- to have a very good collaboration as regards the optical sys- gas shock absorber, two-bolt tracks ”. tems. "Taking into consideration the number of participants in this event the EXPOMIL can be considered a real success RAFAEL both for the companies present, Romanian defence industry Among the foreign companies that have traditional and for visitors. We belive in the positive impact in time of this cooperation with the Romanian ones, as regards equipment, event upon development of the military relationship between ammo and weapons for land forces, is also RAFAEL from Romania and our neighbours, the NATO member nations, Israel. It has a long collaboration in this field for more than six partner nations and military equipment producers. One of our years with Romanian companies, such as MFA Mizil, where goals is also to demonstrate our nation's capacity to produce specialists said that they form together with the Romanian and export military equipment, weapons and ammunition, ones, a very good team, especially as regards upgrading the especially at NATO standards" - the minister of Defence, infantry armored vehicle, MLI-84 M Teodor Melescanu appreciated. „ with remotely controlled weapon sta- tions (RCWS). Many of these vehicle are already in the endowment of the o Romanian Land Forces' units that are operational for NATO forces. RCWS is based on the principle of mounting the weapon in an external, above deck mount, while the gunner is loca- ted under the vehicle deck in any con- venient position and protected by the vehicle's armor. At EXPOMIL, one can

48 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Sports Second Place in Sporty Relay Race of the Military Ski Championship in Spain Between the 5th and 9th of March, the National Military Championship of Spain took place in Candanchu and Astun. an interview by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU translated by Corina STRAT

delegation led by Colonel Ioan — Colonel, for the Armanu, chief of the Sport beginning, can you give us A Development within the Land Forces some technical details Staff was invited by the Spanish homologues to par- regarding the participants? ticipate together with a sportsmen team of the "Bucegi" Military Sport Club. — There were eight groups from four countries, over 100 participants from Spain, the host coun- try, Germany, France and Romania.

— Taking into account the other "white sport" competition can you tell us why there were a low number of participants?

— There were problems with the snow, because in Spain the temperature was high enough; because of this, the contest took place at 2,000 m altitude, the organizers invited us and tried to provide the best conditions for this event.

— Didn't the other countries accept the invita- tion? — I don't know for sure, but there were invited 16 countries. It's possible they've given up because

49 Romanian Land Forces Sports

of the high temperatures, the was cancelled, the schedule was place at over 2,000 m altitude, unfavorable weather conditions changed. The biathlon is also a on ice and low temperatures and in Europe. For instance, USA long distance contest, but it our team succeeded in getting and Italy decided not to partici- includes lying and standing firing the 3rd prize in the individual pate at the last moment. positions. We had a 4-person contest, through Staff Sergeant team, all of them being Vasile Sneaga and the 2nd prize — How the championship biathlonist and they had to com- in relay race. I think the results was structured, which were the pete in long distance contests. are very good under these con- sport events? ditions. — Did our competitors par- The delegation was com- — There were relay and ticipate in the slalom contest? posed of Vasile Sneaga, Claudiu slalom events. We brought guns Suciu, Cristian Mosoiu and with us, because the organizers — They didn't participate in Alexandru Trisca, but our best had announced us that there slalom. Although the delegation sportsman, Anatol Szolt, missed would be a biathlon event but it was reduced, the contest took because he was gone in Sapporo, Japan.

— Were there any differences from "CASTA" Italian Cham- pionship?

— This is the 8th edi- tion of this contest and the Italian one was the 59th. Our country partici- pates for the second time in Spain, the first time, twoo years ago; our dele- gation was composed of girls also, and we won the first place in all the events. Last year we didn't attend and this year we've had a small delegation.

At the end of the competition there were present the Commander of the Military Physical Training Department, Chiefs of the Physical Training Departments of the three branches and Civil Guard. „

50 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro Romanian Land Forces Sports The Tradition of Being on the Podium The 59th edition of "CASTA 2007" Alpine Troops Ski Championship was open between January 28th - February 2nd where more than 200 skiers came from 9 countries to fight for their egos and trophies. a story by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU translated by Nicoleta DOROS

was a traditional competition for the As in every year, our country was represent- military skiers from all over the world, ed by the best skiers, such as the ones from Bucegi It especially for the Romanian sports- Military Applicative Sports Club in Predeal. They men, who, on this 11th participation, won the second competed against players from Italy, Germany, position in the general classification among teams, USA, Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain, Argentina and this being the best position up to now. Croatia.

Our team led by Colonel Ioan Armanu, chief of Physical Training Department in the Romanian Land Forces Staff and by the team leader, LTC Madalin Hincu was formed of: the girls team: Simona Craciun, Ruxandra Scortea, Simona Cojenelu, Mihaela Purdea; and the boys team: Zsolt Antal, Claudiu Suciu, Cristian Mosoiu, Sgt. 1st class Vasile Sneaga: coaches: Sgt. 1st class Ileana Ianosiu - Hangan, Sgt. 1st class Daniel Mazilu and Captain Ion Prundaru.

In 2006, Romania was the third country after Italy and Germany in the ge- neral top, but this

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year the skiers from Predeal outran the German place, and in individual male long-distance race, skiers' team and got the second place. Zsolt Antal got the third place. In female relay race It was a remarkable result considering the Mihaela Purdea and Simona Craciun got the third fact that the Romanian skiers took part in only place just as Zsolt Antal and Claudiu Suciu in male three events, while Italy had several teams: Guard realy race. At biathlon the girls Craciun Simona, of Finance, Guard of Forests, Iulia Alpine Brigade. Scortea Ruxandra, Cojenelu Simona and their However, Italy was a traditional winner of this com- coach Sgt. 1st class Ileana Ianosiu - Hangan got the petition, hence the presence of some famous peo- first place and the boy team got the second place ple from the Italian Army to the festivity opening at the same event. and closing: the Secretary of Defense, chief of The Romania skier Mihaela Purdea also took Italian Army Headquarters, the Commandant of part in the Biathlon World Championship in Alpine Troops and the Italian Ministry of Defense, Antholoz, together with the Romanian team. who declared: "In terms of sports, Italy is proud and always eager to be on top". The Romanian Congratulations to the military sportsmen skiers participated into the long-distance race, who always represent the Romania Army with relay race, biathlon and they got a place on the pride and returned from these competitions with podium for all of these events. In individual female glory and cup prizes. May their lately success long-distance race Mihaela Purdea got the first result in the Romanian traditions of the podium. „

52 Land Forces www.rft.forter.ro