A military ceremony was organized in Craiova on Friday, November 19, to mark the deployment of the 20th 'Scorpionii Negri' Infantry Battalion and the Combined Team Zabul to the theater of operations in Afghanistan.

The activity was attended by soldiers' families, State Secretary Viorel Oancea, Air Flotilla General Stefan Danila, deputy chief of the General Staff, Major General Dan Ghica-Radu, chief of Land Forces Staff.

The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gabriel Oprea sent a message to the troops saying that 'Your mission in Afghanistan, alongside other Romanian troops, is the way Romania understood to respond to the Alliance's request to augment our presence there in order to contribute to Afghanistan’s security and stabilization'.

In his message, the minister cautioned the troops to work as a tem, to be united and to harmonize their actions in the missions with American partners or within the Combined Team Zabul.

'I strongly believe that once more you will serve with loyalty and honor in accomplishing this new mission, that you perform up to the expectations', the message stated further.

The 20th 'Scorpionii Negri' Infantry Battalion and the Combined Team Zabul belong to the 2nd 'Rovine' Infantry Brigade.

MoND Press Office