The opening of the "Joint Task Force- East Rotation 2009" bilateral Romanian -US exercise occurred on August 6, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Aerodrome Administrative Center, Constanta County.
The military ceremony started with the flags' introduction in formation, tune of the state anthems of Romania and the United States, the honor and the speeches of the exercise's co-directors and a religious ceremony granted by the US Joint Task Force- East military priest, Major Jerald Jacobs.
The official opening was made in the presence of the Joint Task Force- East commander, Colonel Gary R.Russ as co-director of "JTF-East Rotation 09" exercise and Colonel Mihail Nicolescu, the Romanian co-director. The Romanian and the US officials and the representatives of the local administration have participated in the official opening, too.
The Land Forces Staff and USAREUR will develop between August 6 and October 15, 2009 a military exercise at Mihail Kogalniceanu Aerodrome Administrative Center (CAAMK), Constanta County and in Babadag firing field, Tulcea County.
The "Joint Task Force- East Rotation 2009" exercise aims to increase the Romanian and the US training in common and to increase their capacity to participate in common in operations of stability.
The training will consists of common firings with the armament; real firings- platoon level, tactical exercises for urbane areas, tactical situations, other individual actions, joint patrols, offer of the first aid in the areas of operations. About 600 Romanians, 1200 Americans, 2 Frenchmen and 3 Serbians as the observers will participate in this exercise.
The exercise will be developed based on the agreement between Romania and the United States of America on the activity of the US forces that are stationed on the Romanian territory, the agreement that was signed in 2005 and ratified by the Romanian Parliament in 2006.
Details about the "Joint Task Force- East Rotation 2009" exercise can be obtained from Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Herrigstad; phone: 0241.608.355;0241.608.356 and Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Patrascu; phone 0241.608.352.

MoND Press Office