For the first time a big Romanian unit, the 2nd Light Infantry Brigade Rovine from Craiova is preparing and deploying two of its units in different theaters of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The leaving ceremony of the 26th Infantry Battalion for Afghanistan and the 20th Infantry Battalion for Iraq will occur Friday, July 8, 2005 on the Armata Craiova Stadium starting 1100 hours. The two units will receive the combat flags after the solemn call and the read out of the orders for going in the theaters.

Known as Red Scorpions the 26th Infantry Battalion Neagoe Basarab soldiers commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Toma will act for three months under NATO subordination within ISAF. The main mission is the support of the election process in Afghanistan.

The 20th Infantry Battalion known as Black Scorpions commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nicolae Ioan is replacing the 2nd Infantry Battalion Calugareni from Bucharest in mission in Iraq since January 2005.

The two units soldiers gained their experience in multinational missions in Angola, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

MoND Press Office