A military ceremony took place in Bistrita on Tuesday 22 in the presence of the chief of General Staff, Major General Stefan Danila Marti, to mark the end of mission and return home of the 812th 'Soimii Carpatilor' Infantry Battalion from Afghanistan. During the event the Colors of the 811th 'Dragonii Transilvani' Battalion and the 812th 'Soimii Carpatilor' Battalion were awarded the National Order 'For Merits', officer`s rank, with war insignia.

The Minister of National Defence Gabriel Oprea sent his congratulations to the troops of the 81st Infantry Brigade, the higher echelon of the two battalions, for the way they accomplished their mission in Afghanistan: 'It is for the first time since WW2 that a large Romanian military unit deployed two battalions simultaneously to a theater of operations. I congratulate you on the exemplary manner in which you did your duty and I wish to thank you for this, in my own name and on behalf of the Romanian Armed Forces!'

The minister emphasized that the important decorations that were awarded are a confirmation of the exceptional results the two battalions had in their missions both at home and in theaters of operations abroad.

The minister`s message continued: 'We wish that today`s Solemn Call were attended by all those who were leaving behind their loved ones to go fight terror six months ago. Unfortunately, 1st Lieutenants (posthumous) Marius Florin Sfeches and Cristian-Petru Filip were killed on duty. The loss of Marius and Cristian was a tragedy but also a proof that military men can only be brave, dignified and patriots.'

In his message, minister Oprea thanked Lance Corporal Vasile Zbanca and Corporal Paul Ilovan, both wounded in Afghanistan, for their courage and professionalism reassuring them they would get all the assistance needed to get over the present difficulties and during their future recovery.

The minister thanked the families, relatives and all those who were the moral support from home of the deployed troops, who took over all responsibilities during these hard times.
'The experience you gained in different missions, the professionalism, the human relationships established on site take further Romanian military traditions and values. You are the elite of the Romanian Armed Forces and I congratulate you for what you do for your Country!', was the conclusion of Gabriel Oprea`s message.
During their six-month mission in Afghanistan, the troops of 'Soimii Carpatilor' conducted about 3000 missions that covered a wide range of operations, from counter-insurgency to escort and recce.
Along US Provincial Reconstruction troops and experts in agriculture, the Romanian troops participated in project development, school building, organizing and securing the building of local farms.

MoND Press Office