Handle-receive of missions of the Engineering and Intelligence Detachments and the transfer of authority to the Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) in which the Romanian military are subordinated to, occurred Saturday, March 11 in the deployment camp in Al Kut, at about 170 km South East of Baghdad. Present in this activity were Mihai Stuparu, ambassador of our country, Polish Major General Edward Gruszka, national commanders and representatives of the Iraqi armed forces and police.

The documents of transfer were signed by General Gruszka and Colonel Constantin Ajitaritei from the 2nd Operational Command.

The Engineers relaying race are commanded by Major Mircea Misceag and are integrated within the Multinational Division together with the US, Slovakian, Latvian, Armenian, Salvadorian, Mongolian and Kazahstanian units. In short time since their arrival in the theater of operations, the Romanians adapted themselves to the clime, life conditions and activity offered by their new deployment camp situated in a former Iraqi military base.

Commanded by Eng. Major Dan Cosma, the Romanian Engineers ending their six months activity in Iraq fulfilled 169 missions, such as: arrangements of firing ranges for the Iraqi armed forces and the Coalition forces, arrangements and engineering protection in the two deployment camps, enlarge of helicopter platform, observation posts at crossroads, inspections of Mabey&Johnson military bridges, arrangements of locations for the Iraqi police and other types of missions for the local population.

The Division commander thanked the Romanian soldiers from the Engineering and Intelligence Detachments and offered them diplomas as sign of appreciation for the extraordinary service in MND CS support during the operations in Iraq. General Gruszka also mentioned the professional performances the Romanians proved and their contribution to the success of the Coalition in securing freedom, security and a stable environment for the Iraqi people. This success reflects the huge credit we gained as military, your unit and MND CS and your country stated the Division commander.

The Romanian soldiers participated in the same day to a religious service made by Captain Ionel Vranceanu, the military priest of the 280th Infantry Battalion. According to the PR officer of the Romanian contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Sorin Bacila, the chapel made of wood was build by the Engineers that ended their mission in Iraq.

MoND Press Office