Your Army

500 U.S. troops arrive in Romania to bolster defense

February 14, 2017
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment begin prepping their vehicles for offload at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, Romania, on February 14th, 2017. 3-4 ABCT's arrival marks the start of back-to-back rotations of armored brigades in Europe as part of Atlantic Resolve. This rotation will enhance deterrence capabilities in the region, improve the U.S. ability to respond to potential crises and defend allies and partners in the European community. U.S. forces will focus on strengthening capabilities and sustaining readiness through bilateral and multinational training and exercises.

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania — Five hundred U.S. troops began to arrive in a Romanian Black Sea port with tanks and hardware to bolster defense in this East European NATO nation.

The U.S. embassy said the "Fighting Eagles," 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, will be stationed in the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in eastern Romania, on a rotational basis.

U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm said Tuesday the development underscored that "the strong U.S.-Romania strategic partnership exists in both word and deed."

CONSTANTA Romania – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unload their bags Feb. 4, 2017 at Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base in Romania. The Soldiers arrived in Romania from Poland where they had spent the previous month training and getting certified on their weapons systems. 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt will spend the next eight-months training in Romania and Bulgaria in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos)
CONSTANTA Romania – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unload their bags Feb. 4, 2017 at Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base in Romania. The Soldiers arrived in Romania from Poland where they had spent the previous month training and getting certified on their weapons systems. 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt will spend the next eight-months training in Romania and Bulgaria in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos)

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unload their bags Feb. 4, 2017, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. The soldiers arrived in Romania from Poland where they had spent the previous month training and getting certified on their weapons systems. 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt will spend the next eight-months training in Romania and Bulgaria in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos/Army

He said the presence "expands our capacity ....in maintaining peace and security in southeastern Europe and the Black Sea region."

NATO's ties with Moscow deteriorated after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and supported a pro-Russian insurgency. NATO since has increased military exercises in Eastern Europe to reassure allies.

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