The transfer of authority ceremony of the Romanian Air Force Carpathian Pumas Detachment, from the Joint Forces Command to the United Nations Organizations took place on Tuesday, October 15, at Gao, in the Republic of Mali. Thus, the Romanian soldiers will begin their missions within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali - MINUSMA.

On this occasion, Carpathian Pumas took over the responsibilities from their Canadian colleagues and the 4-Helicopter Detachment Commander, Commander Mischie, signed the certificate which regulates the taking over of the mission segment from the Canadian partners.

During the ceremony conducted in the presence of MINUSMA Commander, Lieutenant General Dr. Dennis T. Gyllenspore and the Romanian and Canadian defence ministries representatives, the Canadian flag was hauled down and the Romanian one hoisted, while two IAR-330 Puma L-RM Helicopters executed a vertical descend maneuver.

The almost 120 servicemen of the detachment (pilots, technical and medical personnel) will conduct, at the United Nations Organizations, medical evacuation MEDEVAC and search and rescue CASEVAC missions, troop and materiel airlift, passenger transportation missions, air patrol and UN monitoring missions.

The Press Office