lf2007 1

EVENIMENT
Message of the Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff on the Occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day 3
ACTUALITY
Messages on the occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day 5 News on the Land Forces 8 Partners on Battlefield 13
Major Renato NADOLU
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2007
ontents
ALMA MATER
I've Been a Student at West Point 32
Second Lieutenant Marian TEODORESCU
Publication issued by the Romanian Land Forces Staff
THE EDITORIAL STAFF

Drumul Taberei Street; No.9-11; sector 6; code 061416; Bucharest; phone: +040021 22 47; +040021 318 53 67 extension 389 fax +040021 410 36 15 EDITOR IN CHIEF Leutenant-colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE SECRETARY OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF Major Luigi-Mihail COJOCARU SENIOR EDITOR Colonel (rt.) Nicolae DINU EDITOR Second Leutenant Andreea POPESCU GRAPHIC DESIGNER Elena RADULESCU PROOF READING Cristina DONCILA TEXT PROCESSING Filofteia LINCA ADMINISTRATION Staff Sergeant Major Adrian IUZIC
A StudentFrom Iasi in France 34

Catalin MAFTEI
ROMANIAN LAND FORCES IN ACTION

Signalmen from Craiova 16
Major Luigi-Mihail Cojocaru
Transformation in the Military Education 35

Lieutenant-Colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE
The scouts' ardent mornings 18

a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Emanuel BARBULESCU
"Dimitrie Cantemir" Military High School from Breaza at Its 95th Anniversary 41 An Ambitions Plan For the Military Circle of Ploiesti 39
a story by Lieutenant Colonel Dragos AGHELACHE
The Lacustrine Experiences of Engineers 20

a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Florentin PARASCHIV
Flight Half Torment, Half Time 24

a story by Lieutenant-Colonel Danut CALDARARU
WEAPONS
EXPOMIL Bucharest 2007 45
SPORT THEATRES OF OPERATIONS

It's Good When You Have Dirt on Hands 27
a story by Captain Marius VINTILESCU
Second Place in Sporty Relay Race of the Military Ski Championship in Spain 49 Patrolling in the unknown 31
a story by W.O. Elena Popescu an interview by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU
The Iraqi People Look at Us Hoping That Things Will Get Better One Day 29
Captain Cristian CNUCI
The Tradition of Being on the Podium 51

a story by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU
INTERNET
Leutenant-colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE
w w w. r ft . f o r t e r. r o e-mail: rft@forter.ro revista_fortelor_terestre@y a h o o . c o m
Cover 1 Military policeman Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Iulian FERARU Cover 3 ISAF in Afghanistan Ghraphics: Sgt.1st Catalin SURUGIU Cover 4 Student in a military high school Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Iulian FERARU
ISSN 1842-3051 B 00420 C 4092/08

Printed by the Technical Editorial Center of the Romanian Armed Forces phone: +40021-2 224 26 34 fax: +40021-2 224 04 05
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any copy out of this issue is allowed and duty free only by indicating the exact number of publication and its date of issuing
Event
The Romanian Land Forces Day
Message of the Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff on the Occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day
n the 23rd of April we celebrate the Romanian Land Forces Day, whose spiritual Christian patron is the Great Martyr Saint George - the Victory Bearer. The dramatic history of this people was since its very beginning under the sign of Cross and sword power. Land Forces are the most representative force category of the Romanian Armed Forces that had a decisive contribution to the victories on battlefields. The today celebration moment is like a memento of the huge sacrifices of our forerunners for defending our national being and territorial integrity. The militaries of the Land Forces prove, through their daily remarkable results gained in all training categories, that they worthy continuers of the inherited glorious combat traditions and they have the capacity to accomplish the ordered missions. At the same time, our militaries' professionalism, courage, moral and combat qualities, have a unanimous acknowledge in the theatre areas of operations. This celebration has now a particular significance, because it takes place in the year when the Romanian people achieved a major goal, the EU membership. The
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Event
moment also marks the European and EuroAtlantic present and future of our country. The transformation process of the Romanian Armed Forces is a very thoroughgoing and complex social phenomenon of edifying modern, viable and dynamic military structures. Out of this perspective, the year 2007 is a top one within the process of making operational units and large units of different branches. In this context, the perseverance of the daily efforts and often anonymous of each of you generates the force lines on which the trust of our country's citizens relies on, the fact that the military institution is able to properly and efficiently answer the nowadays challenges. The organizational flexibility, optimization of the reaction capability and the operational interoperability are coordinates that give more and more personality to the structures and offer it a real status.
The performance standards imposed within the activity of the managerial teams at all the hierarchical levels define the actual state of the land forces and give us certainty that they have the capacity to accomplish the entrusted missions. I express my conviction that the Romanian Land Forces will demonstrate more and more outstandingly their high level of proficiency and they will manifest themselves in any situation as modern, credible and trained forces, according to the most exigent standards. On the occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day, I wish the generals, officers, warrant officers, NCOs, volunteer soldiers and civil personnel a healthy life, many moments of joy in their families and fruitful professional achievements. May God help us!
Event
Common Points of Wiew Between Armies of two Countries

Lieutenant-G General Dimitrios GRAPSAS Chief Hellenic Army General Staff
gives me a great pleasure to take on your request and contribute to the special edition of the ROMANIAN LAND FORCES MAGAZINE to appear on the occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day (23 April 2007), and present my views on Land Forces. April 23rd, 2007 is a day of particular significance for both Romania and Greece, since this day is dedicated to celebration of the Romanian Land Forces, while Greece honors Saint George the Triumphant, the patron saint of the Hellenic Army. This day of celebration is not the only common point for the two armies. The cooperation between the Armies of Greece and Romania is underway, well after it has been launched in February 1995, following the signature of the respective Cooperation Agreement between the Armed Forces of the two countries. In the frame of this agreement, various activities are being organized in both Greece and Romania (cross-training of troops, exchanges of visits of dignitaries and delegations, participation in exercises, etc). Since the beginning of the 21st century, the nature of the new threats has imposed, at the international level, a multilateral restructuring/transformation of the Armed Forces. Modern Armed Forces must be more flexible and powerful, based on jointness, the establishment of a professional/semi-professional army, with suitably trained personnel, exploiting modern technologies, in order to effectively carry out their mission. Land Forces, operating in the frame of the Armed Forces of each country, are actually invited to adopt new, modern operational concepts and capabilities. At the international level, Land Forces eventually participate in peace-support, international security and stabilization operations. Implementation of jointness, now the primordial operational requirement, imposes a strict need for close cooperation among the three individual Services of the Armed Forces to maximize both work output and effectiveness. Land Forces contribute to the joint structures
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It
and the enhancement of the jointness by ensuring the required capabilities for the conduct of joint operations and the implementation of common procedures and doctrines along with the other Services of the Armed Forces, mainly in the fields of Operational Planning, Command and Control Systems, Communications, Training and Operational Logistics. Our efforts principally focus on the creation of an army, modern, semiprofessional, smaller in size, of greater flexibility and effectiveness, equipped with state-ofthe-art technology weapon systems and means, optimally trained and capable of efficiently conducting joint operations, in order to successfully carry out its main and other missions, such as: Conduct of peace-support operations Countering of eventual military threat, as well as of asymmetrical threats Provision of humanitarian aid Conduct of Search and Rescue Operations Natural disaster relief etc. Jointness, interoperability, continuous upgrading of the levels of training, development of new doctrines, modern operational concepts and a seamless evolution of the weapon systems and means further broaden the role and the operational capabilities of the Land Forces both within a country and internationally, in the frame of Peace Missions and Peace-Support Operations of the Organization of the United Nations, NATO and the European Union. The future calls for Land Forces well organized, optimally trained and equipped with modern systems and means, thus able to meet the requirements of their mission, in the frame of the Armed Forces of each country and for the entire spectrum of military operations. Please accept my appreciation for the opportunity I am given by way of your publication to express in brief my thoughts, concerning Land Forces. I wish a Happy Celebration and the best of success to the Romanian Land Forces and their mission.
Event
Partners in Supporting Peace and Stability

General Ilker BABUG
Turkish Land Forces Commander
he new security environment that emerged in the post-Cold War Era poses a set of complex, unpredictable and uncertain threats throughout the world. These new conditions have made it compulsory for the Turkish Armed Forces to transform itself to become modernized, technologically more developed and innovative. This is also necessary in order to promote the peace and stability throughout our region. I am proud to command the Turkish Land Forces, which has constituted the main pillar of the Turkish Armed Forces with a historical legacy and tradition of over 2,200 years. The Turkish Land Forces have steadily developed itself and has reached to level where it can successfully accomplish a wide array of missions, ranging from high intensity warfare to low intensity conflicts. In fact, the Turkish Land Forces have successfully carried out important roles in multinational and joint operations throughout the world. Moreover, the high quality training and education provided to the military personnel of various friendly countries marks a good indicator of the level that our Land Forces have reached. However, it goes without mentioning that, the newly emerging threats and risks of our era, necessitates an increasing cooperation among allied and friendly countries, such as Turkey and Romania, which desire to promote peace and stability in their region and beyond. This aim can only be accomplished through intensified joint efforts. In this regard, it should be underlined that Romania is a friendly and allied country, with which Turkey enjoys excellent relations in her region. The bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries have made steady progress especially in the last two decades. The cultural and historical ties stemming from the mutual heritage of Turkey and Romania bond these two nations even closer.
Today, we are happy to observe that these ties are further deepening in every field. We have close partnership with Romania within NATO, South Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) and BLACKSEAFOR frameworks. Additionally, we are working together in the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and KFOR in Kosovo. Turkey has continuously and strongly supported Romanias membership to NATO. Today, Turkey and Romania participate in NATO, NATO PFP, international exercises and South Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) activities together. Turkey also supports the NATO membership of Balkan nations. Bonding the Balkan nations in one pact for the first time in history will create a peaceful environment for the region. There exists a risk that tensions can be re-escalated in the Balkans. It seems that there will be a need for sustained European Union or NATO presence in the region at least for some while. As such, Turkey, which has contributed to almost all of the initiatives actively from the very outset in the Balkans, will continue to do so. SEEBRIG (South Eastern Europe Brigade), which we enjoy being partner with Romanian Land Forces as well as SEDM (Southern Europe Defence Ministry), is playing an important role in the consolidation of peace and stability in the Balkans. Moreover, SEEBRIG is a unique example of military cooperation in Europe apart from NATO. HQ SEEBRIG will be relocated in Turkey this summer. We will be happy to host HQ SEEBRIG in Turkey under Romanian leadership. The infrastructure of Turkish defence industry is also rapidly improving. Many kinds of products such as arms, ammunitions, communications equipment, wheeled and tracked armed vehicles, military clothing are being produced at NATO standards. Furthermore, Turkish defence industries means and capabilities can especially be helpful for Romanias harmonization with
NATO systems. On the other hand, Turkey is pleased to see Romania as a member of European Union. Just as Romanias NATO and EU membership is contributing to Turkeys integration with Western and Central Europe, Turkeys EU membership will also serve to consolidate the security and prosperity belt surrounding Romania. Moreover, it is unrealistic to imagine the achievement of an efficient common foreign and security policy in the EU without Turkey. It goes without mentioning that the EU gain further strength in becoming a world power with the membership of Turkey in the future. We have on the one hand steadily developed our bilateral relations and on the other hand benefited from our regional partnerships. Therefore, Turkey attributes great importance to further improving her cooperation with Romania in the Black Sea region. Turkish-Romanian Land Forces relation will continue developing on the basis of friendship and close cooperation. Certainly, the consolidation of the existing cooperation between our land forces at the bilateral, regional and international level will contribute immensely to regional and global peace and stability. With this understanding, on behalf of my Command, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Land Forces, which is the strong guardian of the sovereignty and independence of Romania as well as a staunch partner in promoting regional and global peace and stability. I would also like to wholeheartedly praise Lieutenant-General Teodor FRUNZETI, Commander of the Romanian Land Forces as well as the brave personnel serving under his command, who have contributed to the development of their army to the high level it has reached today.
Land Forces
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Romanian Land Forces
Romanian Militaries Performed Outstanding Mmissions

Major-G General Ton van Loon Commander - Regional Command South, Afghanistan
News
MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY

Major-General Tibor Benk Deputy Commander (Land Forces) of Joint Force Command Hungarian Defence Forces Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Teodor FRUNZETI, Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff Dear General, In the countries of the world there is a tradition that nations commemorate their armed forces, expressing their sovereignty and defence capability. On the occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day let me express my appreciation and respectful gratitude to you and to all the soldiers serving in the Romanian Land Forces. The good military relations between Romania and Hungary form the basis of the valuable cooperation and the common activity. During the last years, this activity has been established between our armies at the level of leadership, at units engaged in peacekeeping operations and in defence crisis management issues. Naturally the common preparation and training programs, in which our soldiers have proved their capabilities, are included too. The Romanian - Hungarian Peacekeeping Battalion and the Romanian - Slovakian - Ukrainian Hungarian "Tisza" Battalion serve as a basis to broaden and cultivate our excellent cooperation. On this great occasion I would like to thank you and your subordinates for the highly responsible work has been done, and for the motivation, which has contributed to the development of our military relations and deepened defence cooperation. I would like to take the opportunity to wish success and good luck to you and to the work of each soldier of the Romanian Land Forces and to the accomplishment of their future mission. 7
ince 15 July 2002, when the 26th Infantry Battalion Red Scorpions, the first Romanian Battalion deployed to Afghanistan joined the International Community to fight the ruthless Taliban extremist regime and free the people of Afghanistan, Romanian soldiers have performed outstanding work throughout the Southern Region. Even today, they continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan in building its capacity throughout all of Afghanistan. They proudly serve side by side with the Afghan National Security Forces to ensure that reconstruction and development programs in Zabul and other provinces are carried out to the benefit of all Afghans. Romanian troops have demonstrated their professionalism and have carried out their duties proudly throughout Afghanistan. The Romanian Infantry Maneuvers Battalion in Qalat continues to conduct patrolling operations, protection and escorts for convoys and providing medical assistance for the local population. The Romanian Detachment Guard in Kandahar Airfield continues to provide a secure environment through their security patrols for Kandahar Airfield, NATOs largest operating base in Southern Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army Training Detachment continues to provide training and consulting to the Afghan National Army. We still remember Operation Carpathians Thunder, which took place in 2003 and was undertaken by the 812th Infantry Battalion Carpathians Hawks together with Coalition Forces. During this operation, Romanian Forces discovered at the time, what was the largest ammunitions cache in Afghanistan, including
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thousands 107 mm rockets, shells, bombs and machine gun ammunition. Presently, there are more than 800 Romanian soldiers serving under ISAF banner protecting and providing support to the people of Afghanistan throughout the Southern Region, particularly in Zabul, Helmand and Kandahar. As the present Commander, Regional Command South, I am honored to have such professional forces under my command. Based on their continued dedication to the people of Afghanistan and support to my overall mission objectives for the Southern Region, I would like to take this occasion to thank every soldier that has served under my command. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the families of service members, who have sacrificed so much of their time to ensure that the soldiers in their lives could play an instrumental role in bringing peace and stability to the Afghan people.
News
EU HELBROC BATTLE GROUP EXERCISE - GREECE

During 7-12 May 2007, in Greece, the European Union Battle Group (EU HELBROC BG) represented by Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus developed a staff exercise (CPX "EVROPI I/07"; also, between 14-19 May, a live crisis management exercise (LIVE CME "EVROPI II/07") took place in Askos-Profitis range. Both EVROPI I and EVROPI II exercises have been financed by European Union and carried out for the first time by the Joint EU HELBROC BG. All four states committed at HELBROC BG have effectively participated at exercises 'planning, at which more than 1,200 militaries engaged: Greece - Host Nation- one battalion supported by air force, logistics and engineering units; Bulgaria - one light infantry company; Cyprus - a military police platoon and a medical platoon; Romania - an NBC platoon and a PSYOPS team. The exercise was designed to ensure military training on EU crisis management procedures, being focused on humanitarian assistance and evacuation operations, in order to enhance EU crisis management capability. EVROPI I and EVROPI II exercises aimed at establishing a coherent and complex manner of action, in order to reach an interoperability level between participating multinational units. The exercise scenario presented a hypothetical crisis situation occurred "on the fictional island of Mesogeios, where a minority paramilitary group carried out violent actions and manifested an aggressive attitude against a large number of European Union citizens,
resident on the island. There have also been reported several acts of atrocity directed against the refugees from Brownland, another insular country. The scenario included a preliminary operational planning phase in which HELBROC battle group was activated and engaged in crisis management; the aim was to prevent a humanitarian disaster from happening and to carry out evacuation operations, if required". All these activities developed under UN mandate, in accordance with European Union directions.
Translated by: Elena CISMASU
Scouts
Photo: Captain Marius NITULESCU
The ceremony of ending the 4th edition of the scouts' camp, organized by the Romanian Ministry of Defence in partnership with the National Authority for Youth, was held on the 12th of August, in the location of "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy, Sibiu. The activity took place in the presence of Colonel Ion Petrescu, chief of Information and Public Relations Directorate and the deputy president of the Land Forces Academy, Colonel Ph.D. Benone Sfarlog. During eight days, the young scouts had the opportunity to get knowledge about the Romanian Armed Forces and NATO, the military equipment capabilities, and they also had the opportunity to put into practice their physical qualities, will and moral features, team and competition spirit, by military training. Ceremony ended with handing over the participation certificates by two instructors, Lieutenant Virgil Nicolau, reconnaissance subunit commander from the 2nd Infantry Battalion "Calugareni" and NCO Mioara Cioran, from the education section of the Academy, as a recognition of the efforts the young scouts put in sportive competitions (football, basketball, volleyball and swimming).
Translated by: Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
Land Forces
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News
Al-Jazeera
Between 23-25 January, a journalist team consisting in the British reporter James Bays and the Italian cameraman Frederico Fornaro, from the famous TV channel Al Jazeera International, have paid a visit to Lagman base, situated in Qalat, where the 812th Infantry Battalion "Soimii Carpatilor" (Carpathians Hawks) is deployed. With this occasion, the journalists have wished to better know our militaries, keeping in mind that Romania has recently joined NATO and since the 1st of January 2007 it is an European Union member state. The program of the visit included the participation at a patrolling mission of the Romanian militaries, on Highway no.1, that connects Kabul, the Afghan capital city and the important centre of Kandahar. At the end of the visit, James Bays declared: "Although our time spent here was very short, it is very clear to me that the militaries within 812th Infantry Battalion "Carpathians Hawks" from Bistrita, are excellent professionals, with solid experience gathered in the theatres of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; and, in spite of the fact that the equipment they use is not new, they accomplish their military duties as good as their NATO partners, who possess advanced and sophisticated weapons".
MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY Lieutenant-General Filiberto CECCHI The Chief of Staff of the Italian Army
Officers, Warrant Officers and Soldiers, on the occasion of the Romanian Land Forces Day, I would like to convey, on behalf of the Italian Army, my best wishes to you and your families. These wishes represent and draw, once again, a virtual link of friendship and effective cooperation between our Countries and our Armies, testifying a shared commitment to meeting and winning the most demanding challenge of the XXI century: the war on terrorism. It is a war in which our soldiers are on the front, from Iraq to Afghanistan, shoulder to shoulder, as well as in other theatres, from Kosovo to Bosnia, promoting and preserving peace and stability all around the world. These strong ties between Romania and Italy are more than a military alliance: they testify our camaraderie and, above all, our friendship, that special bond which, according to Cicerone, makes prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it. With these feelings, Officers, Warrant Officers and Soldiers of the Romanian Land Forces, allow me to express, once again, my best wishes to all of you, with the strong, heartfelt and sincere hope of increasing our cooperation and getting every success.
Photo:Captain Marius Mihai
Injured Child
On 21 April, in the afternoon, an infantry platoon mounted on Armoured Personnel Carriers belonging to the 812th Infantry Battalion "Carpathians Hawks" was under a patrolling mission on Highway no.1. The patrol began the mission at a forwarded base where American and Romanian militaries were deployed. During movement, at about 6 o'clock p.m., the group leader from the first APC saw a child laying on the wayside. After Romanian militaries secured the area, the patrol sanitarian, Sergeant Major Lenuta Schuster provided first aid to the victim. The platoon commander, Lieutenant Sorin Semeniuc has requested the immediate intervention of the medical evacuation helicopter as the infant was severely wounded at head, stomach and limbs. As it took long time for the MEDEVAC helicopter to arrive and in order to save the child's life, lieutenant Semeniuc asked the permission to evacuate the victim to Lagman base, with the APC. Thus, after a race against the clock, at about 07:50 p.m. the child has been handed over to the Romanian and American physicians for further medical investigations and care. At the medical centre in Lagman base, the child underwent emergency surgery interventions in order to stop the severe ventral bleeding, after which he was transported to the hospital in Kandahar, by a medical evacuation helicopter. The incident took place at approximately 55 km far from Lagman base; after primer investigations at the scene, it was concluded that an improvised explosive device, of unknown nature, has determined the child's injury. Another child has been found dead few meters far from where they have discovered the injured child.
General HERBIA AL SAAD Commander of the 3rd Iraqi Brigade

The Romanian military staff is very close to my people. They accomplished many missions here, in Iraq. That is why I am very close to the Romanian Army. You will often find me in the middle of the military staff from your country. I was close to them both during happy moments and sad moments. I respect them and we cooperate together very well. I thank the Romanian military staff for the way in which they understood to cooperate with us and to support us for rebuilding Iraq.
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News
Appointment
The new SEEBRIG commander was named, during a ceremony that took place on July 12 in Istanbul, Brigadier-General Ph.D. Virgil Balaceanu. At the same ceremony, Mrs. Rodica Gareva, the Macedonian representative, overtook the presidency of the Initiative Process Reunion of South-East Europe Defence Ministers (SEDM). Romania has eight militaries in SEEBRIG headquarters that is now dislocated in Istanbul till 2011. General Ph.D. Virgil Balaceanu graduated the High Studies Military Academy, Faculty of HistoryPhilosophy of Bucharest University, International Course of Managing Defence Resources of Monterey, California, USA; the US Air Forces War College of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA and NATO Executive Master Course of NATO College, Roma. He has the title of Ph.D. in military sciences.
Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu
General Nenov and General Balaceanu, the former and the present SEEBRIG commanders
Dialog Proof of Principle

During the first month since the deployment in Iraq theatre of operations, the soldiers of the 32rd Infantry Battalion "Mircea" had meetings with the local leaders in Dhi Quar and Al Muthanna provinces. During their meetings the locals and soldiers discussed on starting elementary medical assistance campaigns and installing a performing drinkable water station necessary for the local people daily needs. These contacts had the purpose to identify the problems that the population living in the Romanian Battalion area of responsibility had, taking into consideration that one of the main missions of the Romanian military in Iraq consisted in establishing a safe climate based on trust and mutual respect. Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu
The exercise "Proof of Principle" made in common by the Romanian Land Forces Staff and United States Army in Europe, USAREUR, took place in Mihail Kogalniceanu Aerial Base and Babadag Firing Range, starting the 17th of August till the 22nd of October 2007. The exercise goal was to verify the capability of training in common of the Romanian and American troops in Romanian environment and facilities. At the same time, the exercise was a good opportunity to assess the Romanian Army's capacity of planning and conducting operations with its allies. Over 250 Romanian soldiers performed together with the American troops searching missions, ambush reactions, patrolling, traffic check in and real firing with small arms. The exercise took place under the Romanian and United States agreement regarding the activities of the United States forces deployed in Romania, which was signed in 2005 and ratified by the Romanian Parliament in 2006. Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu
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Land Forces
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Photo: Cristian SURUGIU
News
Romanian's Ambassador Visit

The Romanian Ambassador to Spain, H.E. Mrs. Maria Ligor visited Allied Land Component Command Madrid on April 25. Her diplomatic counselor Mrs. Camelia Teodorescu and the Military Attach Colonel Ion Toader accompanied her. The purpose of the visit was to update the ambassador about the headquarters activities and to hold a meeting with the Romanian community posted at CC-Land HQ Madrid. "I highly appreciated the openness and the availability of the hosts and I noted with great satisfaction the good impression that my co-nationals have made within the CC-Land HQ Madrid", Mrs.Ligor said. After the office call with Lieutenant-General Mir, CC-Land HQ Commander, Mrs. Ligor was given a tour to the facilities of the headquarters. this ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Jaap L.Werner expressed his gratitude for the Romanian soldiers and signed the Land Forces Book of Honor. Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Korteweg, the Holland military attach in Romania participated also in the ceremony, and from the Romanian Land Forces Staff, Brigadier-General Dan Ghica-Radu, Brigadier-General Ph.D. Nicolae N.Roman, Brigadier-General Alexandru Cornel Pinete, Brigadier-General Ph.D. Ion Barloiu, Brigadier-General Avram Catanici.
MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY Major-General Peter Devlin Chief of Staff (Canada), Multinational Corps-Iraq
I am impressed of the engagement that your country assumed. Besides, you add your presence in the other operational theatre, too, in Afghanistan, where Romania impresses by the military staff and their families devotion. I strongly believe that the Romanian soldiers make here a special thing and their strong points in dynamics, trust in themselves. This makes them special. I am glad that I had the opportunity to visit the Romanian soldiers and to see how they make extraordinary things here. My message for both the Romanian people and military staff is a thankful, grateful one for the engagement and for the help that your country sends to the Iraq people by its military personnel.
Medals
The Romanian soldiers' activity that took place with the Dutch Army and under Major-General Ton van Loon command, made three Romanian officers to be rewarded for their exceptional behaviour and actions with commemorative medals for peace operations. The three Romanian officers, Major Emil Bobocea, Captain Dorin Cucolas and Captain Gabrier VartejLerner participated in 2007 in ISAF Afghanistan Regional Command South mission and proved an exceptional behaviour during the mission. For this reason they were awarded with the Commemorative Medal for peace operations. This honour was established by a Royal Decree on the 23rd of March 2001 and may be awarded to the Dutch nationals, or other countries nationals, who have participated in peace operations within an area designated by the Dutch Minister. At the Romanian Land Forces Staff headquarters, in Bucharest, on August 27, in the presence of Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Teodor Frunzeti took place the awarding medal ceremony to the three Romanian Land Forces officers. Representing the Dutch authorities, His Excellency Mr.Jaap L.Werner, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands awarded the officers and handed over the medals. At
Major-General Jonathan D. Shaw Commander of the South-Est Multinational Division (Great Britain)
The Romanians contribution for the good of facts in DHI-QAR is vital. Their main mission is to ensure the main road to provide the deployed forces in the north of the country and maintain the security of this province. The most important thing is the fact that the Romanian troops act in the most successful province from the whole Iraq. This province is one of the first ones in which the authorities took over the control upon the local security and administration. This is one of the fewest successful stories from Iraq and the Romanians are a part of it. I am proud to have the Romanian military subordinates. I want to believe that their abilities as soldiers will never be doubtful and it is good to know that, if the things go wrong, you can rely on their military qualities.
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Photo: Cristian SURUGIU
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News MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY
Comandor Andrew Knowles No. 3 Air Force Protection Command, Khandahar Air Field
Wise Foresight
The military of Peace Keeping Romanian-Hungarian Mixed Battalion participated, from the 3rd till the 14th September in WISE FORESIGHT HU 2007 exercise that took place in Varpalota county, in Hungary. WISE FORESIGHT HU 2007 is a part of the common training program of the Romanian soldiers from the 191st Infantry Battalion "Radu Golescu" Arad with the Hungarian soldiers from 5th Infantry Brigade from Hodmezovasarhely and its purpose was to perform particular activities for a mission under UN command. In the first part, the Romanian and Hungarian military performed an exercise of simulating, assisted by computer, that followed the training of the participants in planning missions and solving situations similar to the ones in theatre areas of operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. At the end of the exercise, it was organized Distinguish Visitors Day for the Romanian and Hungarian military and civil officials: General Havril Andras - the Chief of the Hungarian General Staff, General Major PhD. Ioan Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps commander and Brigadier General Alexandru Rus - the 81st Mechanised Brigade's commander.
Air Force Protection from Khandahar Air Field (KAF) is a multinational command which includes almost 650 people from six nations. This is an unique command and maybe it represents one of the most capable protection forces existing in the world. The contribution brought by the "Red Scorpions" is a remarkable one. The subunit of the "Red Scorpions" led by CAPT Marius Bumbac had an outstanding contribution to the effort of Coalition forces to maintain safe KAF against any indirect or direct fire attack of the hostile forces. The professionalism of the officers and their subordinates is of the highest level, both in the observation tower missions and in those of manning the subunits of special reaction forces (SRF). Personnel from KAF always know that they are in safe when Romanian soldiers performs such missions. As a commander of the Air Force Protection, I can say that it is an honour to command this multinational force from KAF, and I consider that I did not tell enough about the "Red Scorpions" and their contribution to the ISAF mission.
Promotion
The ceremony of promoting to the rank of Second Lieutenant for the 2007 graduating class of Land Forces Academy of Sibiu took place on Friday, 27 July, in the Big Square of Sibiu city. For their good results obtained during the years in Academy, and after the licence exam, three students were declared as first graduates: Second Lieutenant Ana-Maria Constantin in management of the organisation speciality; Second Lieutenant Emil Grandel in economic-financial management and Second Lieutenant Liana Sorodoc in public administration speciality. The chief of the first graduates of the Land Forces Academy, named honorarily "European Integration", was Second Lieutenant Ana-Maria Constantin.
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Land Forces
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Interview
Partners on Battlefield
Interview with General David D. McKiernan Commanding General United States Army, Europe & 7th Army
Major Renato NADOLU
USAREUR encounters a continuous transformation process. Establishing this military base in Romania is a part of this process? I do see our Joint Task Force-East as part of our transformation in US Army Europe and the way it matches our transformation is: it gives us a great opportunity to train in a multinational environment and so one of my objectives as the
Commander of US Army Europe is to build tomorrow's coalition today through training and readiness. And JTF-East gives us the opportunity to work with the Romanian army and the Bulgarian army so that we can exchange tactics, techniques and procedures to help us in our transformation. We are not establishing US bases in Romania or Bulgaria we want to train with you in your bases in Romania.
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Interview
Training is crucial for USAREUR. Is JTF-East's concept part of your vision regarding training? I think training today, in the 21st Century, must always be in a joint environment, must be air, ground, naval and special forces when ever possible and I think it also must be in a multinational environment, so JTF-East, the concept, it's to train in both: a joint and a multinational environment. What are the measures undertaken by USAREUR in order to enhance living conditions for the military? Recently US Army decided to have their troops on 15 months rotations. Our rotations for active army have gone to 15 months in both
Iraq and Afghanistan because of the demands for forces and the need to make sure that we preserve at least one year between rotations for the units to reset themselves and retrain and integrate new people. So what that does is, it puts additional stress on our soldiers and our families, and we in US Army Europe like the rest of the United States Army are making many changes to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for our soldiers and families while our armies are at war. One of your objectives is to increase the operational capability and the interoperability among NATO and coalition partners. How do you do that? I think there's two parts about interoperability: there is the
technical part and then there is the intellectual part. The technical part is about equipment, about making sure that we have information systems that can talk to each other, that we have ways of recognizing coalition partners on the battle field, and that is the technical part. But there is also the intellectual part of making sure that we can train together, that our leaders know each other, that there are personal relationships built and that we understand how we are going to conduct our operations and so I think opportunities like Joint Task Force - East allow us to do both. We have Romanian soldiers training on American equipment, we have Americans training on Romanian equipment and importantly we are exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures.
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Interview
From November 2007, USAREUR will have 60% of its personnel deployed in theatres of operation. It is a considerable effort both for USAREUR and the military families. Can you explain that? By this winter, about half of my forces in Europe will be deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo primarily. That is a considerable effort on the part of US Army Europe and it's a considerable stress and strain on military families and so it is my job as a force provider to make sure that I provide trained and ready units and that I take care of the families while those units are deployed, so we've put a lot of emphasis on that. What is the importance of the NCOs corps for USAREUR? Now, one thing that I think is very important is that I know your army, the Romanian army is also transforming and one of the ways you are transforming is you want to develop a professional non-commissioned officer corp. And what you will see is whenever I come to Romania I bring Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa with me from United States Army Europe and we are committed to helping you grow your non-commissioned officers and develop them, school them, educate them and put them in the right positions in your army as part of your transformation process. We are committed to helping you do that.
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JTF-East's activities are not just about training. The US military will get involved in other projects. Can you describe those projects? We want to make sure that we are not only training very realistically with your army but we also want to be good guests and part of our training in Romania is that we want to make sure that we help making investments in the training infrastruc-
ture at your training bases and training areas but we also, where we can, want to make improvements in community projects. And so we have projects that are on going right now. For instance we have a clinic in Constanta that we have navy Seabees, navy engineers working to renovate that facility. We will do more of that in the future as we continue Joint Task Force-East rotations.
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Romanian Land Forces in action
Signalmen From Craiova

The Signal Training Battalion "Fratii Buzesti" (Buzesti Brothers) from Craiova may be considered a model for other units of the Romanian Land Forces because of the professionalism and competence of those who man it and also through its numerous training facilities.
Major Luigi-M Mihail Cojocaru eaders from the superior echelons and the Defence minister, Teodor Melescanu, who visited this unit, appreciated the material training base and the determination of those who form themselves and perfect here their training.
ning the first day of 2007, when we enjoyed our country's integration within the European Union, and the Romanian Armed Forces quitted the conscription military service, the unit began training the first series of volunteer soldiers.
The unit in which more than 400 volunteers are training together, has been continuing the training and combat traditions of the former signal unit, the 46th Signal Regiment and the 14th Signal Base. The actual battalion was recently set up, on the 1st of August 2006, on the background of the Romanian Armed Forces transformation and modernization process. The professionalism and seriousness of the trainers have become outstanding aspects that represent basic coordinates in forming the new profile of the militaries: men dedicated to the military career, able to successfully face the actual requirements and challenges imposed by setting up modern, professional and at NATO standards armed forces. Maybe not by chance, as a sign of modernization, begin-
Between traditio on and mo odernizatio on
Details on ongoing activities and achievements of the unit were provided to us by the battalion's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Gheorghe Dinca, an officer having more than twenty years within his branch, a real commander who proved tact and perseverance in selecting the best people for his unit, signal trainers and subunit leaders, from the former disbanded units, forming from them at the certain moment, a real and united team. With his specific kindness, although his working agenda was heavy enough, Lieutenant-Colonel Dinca found a necessary break to provide useful information to our readers. At the same time with the formation of specialists in communication and informatics branch, he said, another important activity is training within the first stage of the general military training for the militaries from all the branches of the combat support forces. After finishing training in the unit, the volunteer soldiers are manned in the operational units of the Romanian Armed Forces, in order to accomplish the missions that are specific to their positions. In this unit, there are also militaries who accomplished their military service within the former conscription system. They have been training here, and if they choose to keep their branch, they attend seven week training; if they change their branch, the training period will last nine weeks. There are also militaries attending a perfecting and career course, such as the one for
A place of pro ofessio onals
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promoting to the rank of corporal, having duration of four weeks. "This time (the 4th of September - author's note) is the second day when in our battalion a new series of volunteer soldiers have come. We are now in a so called administration period" - LieutenantColonel Dinca added. The young soldiers are getting use to the military environment, they get uniforms and individual weapons and they are shown the main equipment and armament from the endowment of the Romanian military units. It is an effervescent period, with many activities, whose finality is opening, in a solemn atmosphere, of another new training stage. The battalion has a very good training base. There are 16 specialty rooms, two of RNMC (National Network of Communication and Informatics) type, endowed with digital equipment and built this year by the support of Communication and Informatics Directorate of the Romanian General Staff. These are modernly equipped rooms were militaries get the possibility of forming their own skills necessary to handle the equipment they will meet in the operational units or in those that are to became operational. Unit has also analogical equipment, training platforms spe-
cific to the communication and informatics branch, a complex training range. The unit's library comprises more than 13,000 volumes, and a multifunctional club in which more than 150 soldiers may participate. The unit's material base is happily completed with the facilities existing in the garrison of Craiova, for instance, the outstanding support of the Military Club on the occasion of different cultural events as well as the understanding manifested by Colonel Mihai Ciungu, the garrison commander, as regards the access to the garrison firing ranges.
in common training with the battalion's militaries.
Optimism
For future, ambitions of the signalmen are great. They want their unit to continue to be a part of the education structures of the Romanian Armed Forces, in the garrison of Craiova being a real tradition on communication and informatics training. In this respect, it is kept an efficient contact with the unit's former commander and specialists who still share from their useful experience. The signalmen from Oltenia are optimistic. Next year, an American training team will participate
In the specialty rooms I met real professionals, trainers devoted to their job, young people, boys and girls at their first classes of general training, "decoding" the first steps of the military career. "I'm training now a new contingent of volunteer soldiers - NCO Gheorghe Gongu said. I have a classroom for general training, theory. We begin the first steps of training with the elementary notions. The militaries that I train are not only from communications and informatics branch. Those belonging to other branches will leave for their units after two months of training here, and we'll keep on preparing signalmen on branch training. As regards female soldiers, they are easily accustomed to the training program at the same pace as males. We do not make discrimination in this respect." "To build a career in the military is my dream. I like order, discipline within the military and, why not, the uniform which impose upon oneself respect and an exemplary conduct. I'm training for land artillery" - Private Dorina Simon, a courageous girl from Bistrita, said. "In my opinion, the Armed Forces represents the single place where one can have a safe and a real career" - Private George Cimpoier said. "For future, I will learn more in order to promote and to build a solid future for myself" - he added. These are words that leave no place for other comments. It is also, perhaps, the merit of the trainers and specialist from this unit who inspired those young people with love and devotion for the arms career, through their personal example, beyond any image campaign or media propaganda.
The Armed Fo orces - a safe and a real career
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The Scouts' Ardent Mornings

The journalistic intrusion in the garrison of the green epaulets, Predeal offered me the opportunity to see the battalion's scouts at their work.
a story by Lieutenant-C Colonel Emanuel BARBULESCU
translated by maj. Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
esults recorded on the pages of the institutional documents can say at first sight a conclusion upon the quality of these fighters. As the information resulted from statistics are glacial, I headed to twelve hundred, the direction indicated by the battalion's commander, in order to surprise the essence of the scouts' training, which is the support of the most thorough opinions. What is relevant through the quality of the trained teams is represented by the training diversity and intensity, always other ones. Alongside the thorough knowledge of the theory, these elements reunited within the professional approach outline the value of syntagm saying that a warned man is as valuable as other two. For those scouts this syntagm is also their motto training, because at the basis of the efficient actions is inclu-
ded - alongside trust and devotion, individual initiative - the strong character of the alpine fighter. Major Adrian Buzea, one of the commander's deputies, focused the role of the education within the training process: "Creation of the situations and complex tactical scenarios requires a proper adaptation to the reality of the modern combat field that is also extremely flexible. The proposed scenarios impose solutions for situations designed to develop the fighter's qualities such as: courage, initiative, physical and psychical resistance, cohesion."
A terrain vehicle whose engine is steaming transports me to Diham chalet on the muddy mountain roads wet by the
At the first ho our
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spring rains. Patches of snow torn by wind increase the frozen image of the combat disposition set by the scouts of Second Lieutenant Claudiu Balea. I headed to the woods that were hiding that subunit, thinking that I would see their disposition. The light of my flashlight got dim. The scouts were very well sheltered and the atmosphere was discreet and benumbed. I looked askance at a fir tree log where a silhouette was gradually fading away at the same time with the agony of my flashlight. Instantly I was encountered by three huge people covered by their camouflage combat uniforms. After presenting my ID, they directed me to the base of mission preparation, where the subunit commander was. On the operation map, there was marked the AOR with many routes from which the most vulnerable one was chosen. On two ammo bins, near the unfolded map there were also other two tourist maps on which there were threaded the colored signs of the mountain routes. Each detail on the maps was carefully analyzed by squad leaders and their EOD colleagues who came as combat support. Till the "surprises" that were to be transmitted by radio stations, the 15 km marching route represented the main reconnaissance mission having as final point a place nearby the chalet called "Trei Brazi" (Three Fir Trees). Commander of the reconnaissance subunit, a fighter with an athletic body, a short and brush style hair cut and face tanned by wind and the flash of the alpine snow, indicates his subordinates the way they were to watch. The Second Lieutenant establishes missions for EOD engineers and NBC scouts. His fingers, long as scissors, insisted on some areas of interest, distinctly jotted on map. Since that moment, the usual word was "maximum vigilance!"
The signal of entering the exercise area, "the laboratory" was issued. APCs rapidly started and their wide wheels trod the land imbued with rain water. Huge mud drops were sprinkling the high edges of the mountain road broken by tempest. The brusque stop of APC awoke me out of numbness. At the signal of the subunit commander, the EOD people and two NBC scouts jumped out of APC to check the bridge and the nearby area with their own devices. Other mountain fighters wearing green berets were providing protection of their actions. Being attentive to all what could move they were ready to fire upon to all that might put in danger the mission. Through the optical devices from the APC turret, the machine gunner was ready to response against the enemy's attacks from land or air. The EOD men had something to work and isolated a part of the carriage road till the bridge. On both sides of the road the scouts melted in their own shadows. The tactical moment ended, and the subunit commander approved the solution reported by the EOD team leader. By radio message, a new mission and acknowledgement were received. "This is ALFA; acknowledge movement to 12 hundred, over!"
Labo orato ory lesso on
The scouts of ALFA subunit are rapidly embarking in the APC. They must rescue a pilot ejected himself nearby the enemy's combat disposition.
Search and rescue missio on
With the engine raced at their maximum limit, the steel giants are heading to the communicated objective. To drive a 14 ton APC on mountain roads requires not only special skills but courage. We crossed very well the broken thresholds in the woods and the narrow ways chamfered by rocky walls. Sergeant-Major Belcea transmits the crew the received message and, after a series of signals known only by his subordinates, they take their equipment and leave the vehicle. Scouts left the road making short jumps and they are approaching the communicated objective through the woods. I know they are near the forested edge, but I cannot see them, it's impossible. The "pilot" was located and three scouts recovered him, after giving him the first aid. Suddenly, from somewhere, one opened fire upon us. The scouts' blocking team alarmed the patrol. Rapid and short orders such as "I'm going down!" "I cover you!" "Enemy located at four hundred!" "I'm heading to"- one could hear, while scouts were forwarding by jumping to the isolated enemy's gun fire. The dynamic action, the good scouts' training and experience were successful again. The end of the tactical exercise was reserved to the initiative spirit. I rarely had the opportunity to see a withdrawal from a combat area by using alpine technical and tactical procedures. Ability of the squad leaders when preparing rappels and while roping down was outstanding! Alpine cords were lowered on four rappel directions and the scouts proved that the alpine training should be considered a professional mastership. The "objective", the pilot, a colleague who played that part, was recovered and he was also roped down. The APCs arrived in time and the subunit left safely the exercise area.
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The Lacustrine Experiences of Engineers

For almost two weeks, in the middle of August, militaries of subunits from the 10th Engineer Brigade "Dunarea de Jos" (the Down Danube), performed activities that are specific to the water training camps, nearby the village of Maracineni, on Buzau river and in Varsatura, on the left bank of Danube. In spite of the rainy weather, the brigade subunits accomplished efficiently the proposed training goals.
a story by Lieutenant-C Colonel Florentin PARASCHIV
translated by maj. Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
earby Maracineni, at approximate one kilometer upstream away from the well-known road bridge over Buzau River, fix bridge subunits of the 96th Engineer Battalion, the 72nd Bridge Battalion, and 3rd Construction Battalion established in the period August 6 - 17 a water training camp. The day I arrived in camp, the militaries were in a full activity, at the moment when they were set the axis of the bridge. Only the heavy rain that came later interrupted that activity, which was essential for the normal course of the works. They were to launch at water the device necessary to install the bridge infrastructure (pillars and bank supports). Unfortunately, rain came suddenly embarrassing the engineers' intensions. In fact, we were in a water training camp, and rain is also water, isn't it? Activities were resumed in that afternoon and continued the next day. Their pace was slow in order to allow the new series of engineers to learn. It was the general goal of the entire camp to acquire new knowledge and to perfect skills and abilities. "On this occasion at the same time with the practical activities of building the bridge, our militaries went successfully through different tactical and technical inci-
dents; they achieved the combat support goals and acted as infantrymen." - Major Constantin Andrei said.
"The invisible veil" of scouts We left the camp of Maracineni and performed "the assault" occupying "a combat disposition" on the left bank of Danube at Varsatura, close to the floating barracks of River Passage Battalion, the host of the brigade's scouts and signalmen arrived in camp for training. Weather seemed to be fine, sometimes a strayed cloud remembered the previous days when there were heavy rains in the area. The scouts of Captain Catalin Florea had performed reconnaissance of the water flow and had identified the natural resources in the area that could be used when needed. The militaries trained themselves to cross the water flow with improvised devices, using materials from the training area or from their unit's endowment. The subunits commanders took into account that the training level of their subordinates was not homogenous. From that reason, some lessons were resumed. www.rft.forter.ro
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While talking with my collocutors - Captain Catalin Florea and Captain Sorin Gafencu - about the aspects regarding the scouts' training, my attention was drawn by the rustle that was coming from the skirt of the woods on the river bank. As at a sign, from nobody knew, some "creatures like willows" suddenly appeared. There were the engineers who had performed their specific activities in the area. Because of their camouflage one couldn't see them, confusing them with the natural environment. I was always astonished at the scouts' skill of surrounding themselves with mystery, of creating "an invisible veil" to cover their traces.
There is a superstition among pontoneers saying that each time they come to water to build a bridge, rain comes upon them. This superstition was confirmed within the training exercise performed by the 2nd Floating Bridges Company and the engineers who went through the hard and cold drops of a heavy summer rain. Building a passage point across the water flow supposes a large range of preparation activities each of them having an outstanding importance. Since in the structure of this subunit there are new employed militaries. Most of them had never performed such operations; they
The bridg ge that calls rain
methodically learnt, step by step, each stage of the operation to finally build the bridge. Firstly, they chose the proper place for the passage point, in this issue being helped especially by scouts. Then, they set the plans for anchoring the berths upstream and downstream the bridge axis pointed out by two colored banners thrust in the banks. Other specialists came afterwards to build the access platforms to the water flow and the landing places, to fix them according to the bridge axis. That day, the rain started when they were finishing the bridge assembly. I left them working and I improved substantially my knowledge about achieving water flow passage point on that occasion.
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The background of the 10th Engr. Brigade as regards passing of forces and equipment over water flows would be incomplete without the contribution of the specialized subunits belonging to the River Passage Battalion. The Ship Groups 1 and 2, with the crews on boards, were redeployed in an area situated at 1 km upstream the military port, where they set a ship berth and performed activities specific to a water training camp. At the same time with the ship groups, in the area of Varsatura training range, in the camp was also redeployed the Landing Passage Company of the battalion. The battalion's commander,
Cho oose: the ferry, the barg ge or the rubber bo oat
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Lieutenant-Colonel Gheorghe Soare, outlined that it was performed assessment at company level, within the Ship Groups 1 and 2 that set passage platforms for ferries and barges. "The subunits were embarked with their equipment and crossed the river from Varsatura area to Arapu Island. We also performed assessment at platoon level of the militaries from the Landing Passage Company. We provided the equipment and the necessary materials having the support of the militaries from the 72nd Bridge Battalion and brigade subunits."
The water training camp was ended with a military complex exercise of evaluation that lasted almost 20 hours. The whole unit's personnel contributed to successfully accomplish it. A pertinent conclusion upon the way the activities were accomplished was asserted by Colonel Aurel Mainea: "Firstly, the water training camp allowed the militaries from the specialized subunits to train themselves with their own devices on the water passage matters. Then, they provided the necessary conditions
for the militaries belonging to the other branches of the brigade to cross the river both with the endowment devices and with the improvised ones. Finally, the activities allowed the militaries of all the participant structures to adapt themselves to the requirements of the water training, thus achieving the action cohesion at the levels of platoon and companies. The water training camp is one of the most important activities within this training year, because it comprised the whole personnel of our brigade and it is also the most efficient way of training the engineer structures."
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Flight Half Torment, Half Time

a story by Lieutenant-C Colonel Danut CALDARARU
Translated by Major Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
the fields surrounding the garrison of the 60th Paratroops Battalion, even on the established height, the exercise scenario started. Missions are briefly, clearly and with intonation ordered by staff officers. I had a nostalgic moment remembering a Romanian movie, "The Paratroopers" in which the same moments of marching subunits to the combat area, of preparing weapons, equipment and forces to fight a vigilant and powerful enemy, were caught in the sight of the binoculars gradated lens and shooting camera. But the played image of a company on a 40 km march route, with soldiers carrying a heavy equipment exceeding much more the norms allowed, cannot make me feel comfortable. You cannot speak about the paratroopers' missions, about the men of the suspending ropes if you don't live the moments close to them, smelling the
On
sweat of their coat and without seeing their feet tightened in their heavy shockproof boots. Some paratroopers cannot understand that I can write about them, especially when half of their scenario was destined to carry them close to the love for the high and the theory of the smallest flight squares. I was talking to Lieutenant Nicolae Grigore, student and graduate of rangers' course who was manipulating and seeking the words of conversation as his body was waving among the suspending ropes, thinking always that his life depends on an edge of a suspending rope. I leave my curiosity in the suggestions of Lieutenant Adriana Alecu, the battalion's psychologist and PIO. The idea according to the parachutism is "flight mathematics" is fascinating me yet. I was hearing the voices of the
The flig ght mathematics
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signalmen of the radio relay station. They were checking the radio channel with the ones from flight command post. At the extremity of the concrete runway two firemen cars were aligned. Lieutenant Vasile Moldoveanu checked the mission order and transmitted the commands to the volunteer soldiers, Mirel Zamfir, Cristian Babau and Ion Mateescu. Remotely, Captain Cornel Mirea signalized to the flight deputy. The paratroopers have a well done weather forecast information system; they know how to adjust the grid probabilities and they can juggle with the wind speed much better than the extremes of the Western football. The vibrations of the transport aircraft blew my cap. The first crew prepared orderly to perform the jump. They had their faces congested. I scarcely could look at the aircraft mechanic and pilot. I was sad that I couldn't accompany them. I would not feel their sensations while performing the reconnaissance tour, I would not see the moving of their eyes when they were looking at the colleague who was heading to the aircraft jumping trap. In a word, I didn't have the possibility to know their always extraordinary hypotheses, their boldness to seek the blue silence. Flight has its mathematics. It begin at more than 1,000 m altitude, the sky is a geometric place aircraft become axioms, the paratroopers finally are conclusions that make us understand the Euclidian transformations through the rotations and translations that take place under the
parachute cupola. In the sky I could see the first "stains" thrown from the wind pipe, waving their bodies suffocated by the high suspending ropes. I asked some of my collaborators information about the exercise scenario continuation. I left on my notebook a sentence sounding as in the chronicle of Miron Costin: flight - half torment, half time. I knew from the rules of firing upon the moving targets a relation for setting corrections and time of falling down on
The eternity of a seco ond
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soil. According to the scenario, I thought that in about 10 minutes, the paratroopers would be on soil, folding the parachute veils. My own professional formation, tended to put me in a didactic framework. I was losing my emotional construction and the capacity to understand the eternity of a second. I tried to put myself in the feelings of NCOs Nicolae Baciu, Eduard Marin, Ion Cojocaru and Neculai Fratila. They were sportsmen of performance. They made acrobatic games in the sky torn by sun. Through the gradations of binoculars I could see the worried faces of those who were on soil. In the eternity of seconds a paratrooper thinks only of the ill luck of the 17 incidents and of KAP-3 double command safety device. Only imagination wanted to follow those whose lives are on an edge of suspending ropes. They successfully reached the soil without incidents. A young girl, Lieutenant Adriana Alecu was running to them, to the landing point. Corporal Mirel Zamfir and NCO Eduard Marin landed very close to the combat disposition. They damped very well the jump and from reflex started to whip the suspending ropes. Immediately, at 10 m behind me landed the volunteer soldiers, Cristian Babau, Ion Mateescu and NCOs Ion Cojocaru and Neculai Fratila. They checked their compasses, took out the
Interview near parachute veils
weapons, put on them the gas masks and occupied the defense positions. The green earth patches were covered by the parachute silk veils. The collocutors were not intimidated by the recorder. I knew that their kindness was a consequence of a particular life experience permanently enriched with new values. Captain Cornel Mirea said that "there, among clouds, it is a fight with your chance; you try to stay alive as a mother sweats hard to give birth to a child." It might be, indeed, a remarkable argumentation for a poetic speech of this officer considered by his colleagues as "the poet of the high risk overalls." Lieutenant Vasile Moldoveanu was supervising his subordinates from the main weapons, when he felt me trying to challenge him to a brief dialogue: "I get used to fly. I like to combine the navigation procedures with those ones from the soil. I know that some hard days are to come. But, what it matters most is my fulfillment as a paratrooper." I could see NCO Nicolae Baciu in the left flank of the combat position. He prepared his weapons for repelling a superior enemy force that reached before the defense position. "Indeed, from down one can see in a different way the flight. Seconds could be recorded on a timer. But up, in the sky, their value is lived at the maximum limit. I will confess all about this value, maybe, later." I didn't write about paratroopers, about their lives hanging on the suspending ropes. I heard something about their special team spirit. At least, this opinion was confirmed to me by volunteer private, Ion Mateescu who "annihilated" some enemy's scouts from his temporary firing position. "I'm not afraid of jumping or altitude and clouds that pinch my helmet. As a former conscript private and sport paratrooper I understood the value of your mate. When he offers you help, which means, while dancing with clouds, that somebody is always with you." Corporal Cristian Babau was annoyed. The moment he jumped out the aircraft he felt his right leg benumbed. Was it, maybe, the fear? Was it a sign of the hard training? Anyhow, he told me that "for a paratrooper everything means a fight against time and in time." I couldn't define the geometric place felt by paratroops combatants. Yet, I have the belief that the joy of that day depended on the edges of the suspending ropes. If I put in an equation the paratroopers' missions I would say: courage, love for profession, the geometry of quitting, danger, and gratitude for the second of longevity - even on the edges of the suspending ropes.
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Theatre Areas of Operations
It's Good When You Have Dirt on Hands

a story by Captain Marius VINTILESCU
translated by Livia PRVA
here are people whose importance is noticed only when things go wrong. They could be compared to "the roots", the actor wrote about. People who often, are not taken into consideration even when doing their work professionally; yet, when something goes wrong, they are the main responsi-
ble for it. Such people are the military of the maintenance subunits. There, in Lagman base in Zabul, Afghanistan, there are people such as those from the maintenance of the 33rd Mountain Troops Battalion. After getting the necessary approvals, I went to the motor pool. I met Sergeant first class Liviu Cioara who, when hearing that I wanted to
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write about them looked at me as he had the feeling that he discovered a living octopus in the wash bowl. Probably the motor pool is the only place of a military unit where it's a good idea to have your hands and clothes dirty. Petty officer Petru Sotir and Private Razvan Floroiu are dealt with repairing an armored reconnaissance personnel carrier, a TABC 79. They are not responsible for maintenance but the convoy is from their unit and it's better for crews to cooperate in such instances. It was 5 o'clock in the afternoon and they were rushing to finish their work, to fix an engine piston in its place. They took into consideration that during that week there were teams of equipment specialists from the country deployed in the theaters of operation, military and civil personnel from Bucharest, Targoviste and Sibiu. In fact, everybody seemed to be in a hurry. Warrant officers Marius Urea and Anghelina Marius from maintenance and technical support were running from one team to another as the football players from Dynamo team, while W.O. Marian Soare carried different parts of on engine, whose names I didn't know at all. Even the platoon's commander, Lieutenant Cristi Baiasu had unusual substances on his hands. I spent in the motor pool about one hour, and after taking a few pictures I joined them. For those who don't know, the military from maintenance subunits are as important as infantrymen, mountain troops, artillery specialists, the signalmen or other category of personnel.
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The Iraqi People Look at Us Hoping That Things Will Get Better One Day
Civil and military cooperation projects, or as we call them - CIMIC - in the theater areas of operations are as important as the missions that the fighters take part in order to maintain stability and security in the regions of responsibility.
Captain Cristian CNUCI
translated by Cristina PRVA
ivil and military cooperation projects, or as we call them - CIMIC - in the theater areas of operations are as important as the missions that the fighters take part in order to maintain sta-
bility and security in the regions of responsibility. Gaining local people's trust represents the main tool of each commander who, in order to provide the mission success, considers these projects having the
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same importance as the missions accomplished by his subordinates. "To support the local population is a major objective for us - Lieutenant-Colonel Cristian Dinulica, the commander of the 32nd Infantry Battalion from Timisoara said. We have mission in a wide area of 60 000 km2, a desert area. This kind of climate is very difficult for the Iraqi local people; they don't have water, conditions for a decent life, they enjoy medical assistance only after walking on long distances for it, and those cottages they live in can t be called real houses. They all see us as their hope. These six months can't pass without leaving something behind us. We'll do everything is necessary to support them. These difficulties of local people in Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna Provincess which were the responsibility of 32nd Infantry Battalion "Mircea", were known by the British LTC Andrew Mayfield, the chief of funds planning regarding civil and military cooperation projects (CIMIC) of South-East Multinational Division, when he met the battalion's commander and the Romanian CIMIC officer. The meeting took place when the school in Al Badur was inspected, school which were to be open at the end of September, before the Iraqi pupils
began the new school year, on October 1. The project of this school renewal with new classrooms was firstly issued one year ago, by the Transylvanian Dragons from the 811th Infantry Battalion from Dej. The infantrymen of the 495th Infantry Battalion "Stefan Soverth" from Bucharest took it over and supervised it while its development, and "Yellow Scorpions" from Timisoara established as their first objective the accomplishment of this project, for the school become useful before the first school day. After knowing the actions of military from Timisoara in the civil and military cooperation field, LTC Andrew Mayfield appreciated the way the infantry men used these actions to gain local people's trust. Yellow Scorpions' missions are focused on actions of a decent life for peasants who are far away from civilization, with poor living conditions and without medical assistance. Therefore, medical actions took place as they were planned by the doctors of the 32nd Infantry Battalion. In this way we come closer to Iraqi people, proving the peaceful message of the Romanian military and the ideals they fight for in this country, an unstable country.
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Patrolling in the Unknown

a story by W.O. Elena Popescu
translated by Major Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
ou stand stiff, with the cheek stuck against the turret of the APC, Listening to your own heart beats. Above you, for away, stars are thrilling in the sky. You're rising your head, looking across the rood, blinking an eye, trying to pass the silence interrupted by the crickets song. You have listened for a long time keeping your breath. We have been patrolling for a few hours crossing the depth of the night. We are going slowly gnashing our teeth and having the eyes half closed, to protect ourselves against dust. We are tired after march ? night in force, our lips are dried, our wrinkled foreheads are dirty, our wrinkled foreheads are dirty, sweat is trickling along the temple, bathing the dusty cheeks, and the disheveled hair is getting out and there, beneath the heavy helmet. We stopped for a while. Somebody is asking for a bottle of water. You are looking at the way he drinks, gurgling with thirst, and you cannot tell, him without smiling: "Maybe you have not drunken for a week!". He, our mate wipes his lips with the sleeve of his dusty coot, leaving a white trace on his foee ?. He is turning up without saying a ward, putting his hands to the eye, peer into the dark curtain of the night. He would like to light a cigarette as he saw in war movies, but he cannot because be night disclose his presence in the area.
So cannot do anything else but twisting his cigarette among the fingers remaining for a monument dreamy. We all stopped talking for a long time. Night seemed to stop the time. Crickets seemed to be also numbed and painful silence was setting in. Are we waiting for something and we don't know? Maybe the dawn or anything else? ?? We are starting at the first noise and our breath is stifled. We are looking at the rood, listening to Slowly we start moving. The cold air of night out our cheeks as the sickle cuts the maize, keeping us awake. We are marching and marching and the rood seems to be longer in the night coolness as we are moving away from the base. I'm rising??? my forehead to the sky at the story vault. My body is comprised by happiness. "It is good to live, it is good " - I told to mysey shaking my head. I'm looking at one of my mates and see him smiling. His thought maybe is flying amoy??? to the baby his wife expects. Our benumbed bodies are craving for a warm both and a hospitable bed. Base appears in our sight as a coloured??? repot an this harsh and barren pictures. Sun shyly rises becoming brilliant and brilliant, showing us the way towards home, leaving back the rocky and shapeless mountains.
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Photo:. Dan BOBAN
People under arms
I've Been a Student at West Point

At West Point every day is different from the others. Each day has a certain specific, based on the year you are into, on the season, on the football tournament season of the academy team, on projects or on many other factors which, at first sight, seem insignificant.
Second Lieutenant Marian TEODORESCU
translated by Nataniel TRANDAFIR
here are certain moments that repeat, related to the daily routine which became an unwritten law in this prestigious institution which has a tradition of over 200 years. A day in the life of a cadet in his 1st year starts with the wake/up call, at 05:30, and with the morning schedule, resembling the one we have. Then organizing the work teams follows. One group brings the morning newspapers - The New York from the ground floor, where the press is brought, and delivers them to the personal rooms of the cadets in the higher years, respecting both a certain order and an esthetic sense. Another group of cadets clean the common areas - bathrooms, showers, hallways, living rooms and others. Other cadets dressed in uniforms especially designed for the day in progress group themselves in front of the official watches located at each level 10 minutes before each call the 1st year cadets announce how many
minutes are left until the formation is closed and what uniform is to be worn. Before breakfast, they announce the tables to which they were assigned, the menu for that morning, they pour coffee and other drinks for the other tables, and after that they receive the permission to have their breakfast. Next the cadets attend the daily courses individually. The 1st year cadets are not allowed to talk, watch or move around without a purpose from the moment they left their personal room. At lunch time they gather once again in formation, they give a report regarding the cadets' presence, then they head for the mess hall/dining facility. During lunch, the 1st year cadets have to fulfill the same tasks as for breakfast. After they finish their meal, they can opt for different activities, ranging from briefings to spending time on their own. Then they have two more hours of classes, until 16:00, and after that they can take part in different sports or parade activities, or they can choose to spend time on their own. The 1st year cadets have some more tasks starting with 18:00, like delivering clean laundry to the cadets in the higher years, which has to be accomplished in a certain manner and sequence. During this time the 1st year cadets are approached and "interrogated" by the cadets in higher years regarding some organizational issues concerning the academy, ranks or traditions, which the "interrogated" by the cadets in higher years regarding some organizational issues concerning the academy, ranks or traditions, which the "freshmen" should know by heart and answer without hesitation. The day ends with the compulsory individual study for the cadets in their 1st year, which takes place in their personal room, until 23:30 when they all have to be in bed.
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People under arms
Starting with the 2nd year, the daily schedule becomes more lenient, on one hand because after a year the cadets start to become accustomed to the rules imposed by the academy, and on the other hand because they have already taken a step towards "seniority". The schedule for a cadet in a higher year is not composed of so many administrative tasks, instead focusing more on activities related to education and responsibility, thus studying becoming more and more difficult. The compulsory individual study becomes optional as well as the time to go to bed. The cadets in higher years have more and more freedom, but also higher responsibilities, a lot more work to do, being allowed however to adjust their schedule based on their necessities. The cadets must also maintain a good physical condition in order to be able to pass their physical training tests. During this time they are involved in a great variety of complex projects that can last up to one year, based on the courses they attend. During the four years three fields in which cadets are involved can be pointed out: the academic program, the military program and the physical training program. The academic program starts from the 1st year of study, where the focus is on general knowledge courses, and goes up to the 4th year, where the focus is big scale projects and in which cadets get involved for the entire year of study. The cadets can choose from a wide range of disciplines, from physical training to spacecraft engineering, because the academy trains the cadets also for the moment in which they won't be a part of the military system anymore. The academic program "teaches"you how to learn, not what to learn, practice being considered a primary objective. The military program is divided in two sections theory and practice. The theory consists of shaping the fighter and officer frame of mind/mindset/mentality, developing the leadership sense, as well as the knowledge of how the military system is organized and functions. The practice part takes place during summer, and lasts for two months, when the cadets take part in different specialization exercises and courses with a varied level of difficulty. During the field exercises they practice firing with all types of weapons used by the US Army, from 9 mm caliber pistols to 150 mm caliber cannons, as well as long marches, or rough training in paratrooper or air assault schools. The physical training program has a primary objective maintaining the cadets at the existent standards of physical ability and endurance. At the same time the physical training program also teaches the cadets how to maintain their good physical shape after graduating the academy.
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People under arms
A Student From Iasi in France

Between the 29th of January and the 8th of June 2007, our colleague, Captain Gabriel Turculet attended the land-forces courses at the Land Forces School in Compiegne, France.
Catalin MAFTEI
translated by Mdlina MORTU
aptain Gabriel Turculet not only attended the course, but the appreciations received at the graduation of the course could impress even the best officers from different forces. As it follows I asked our colleague to share something about the way a famous army prepares his land forces officers. Land Forces Course's aims at forming and perfecting officers that work or are going to work for land forces staff in order to be able to study, analyze and propose selections to different general or tactical problems to present options in taking military decisions, to elaborate land forces documents necessary to lead military operations, to work within the command post on different positions. The 19 week-course was organized in two periods: a 3 - month and half period of common training, the other period being designed for specializing. The first part focused on general military knowledge, operational military knowledge, technical field knowledge, computer skills, English language proficiency, working in the command post and conferences about general interest. In the second part, the focus was on working in the command post and using command control procedures, as well as operational standard procedures. The evaluation process was a continuous one; it was developed on the entire period of course. At the end of each period, students were evaluated and the scores they got were used to calculate a final average. The training process aim is to accomplish the proposed objectives by going through all the stages, from simple to complex, combining theoretical activities into practical ones (SIMEX). In the first part,
they focused on themes regarding the military mail; afterwards the effort was transferred to the tactical part, where they studied scenarios of conventional or asymmetrical armed conflict. The schedule consisted of eight hours daily, a time designed both for the classes coordinated by teachers and also for individual study. At the same time, there was a possibility to attend additional courses on different subjects headed by the teachers, or to study individually out of the course classes, the logistic and material base being always available for the students. The teaching board is made up of officers, civilian English teachers or non commissioned officers from the training center. During the training period they proved to be competent and professional in forming the future staff officers. To the lessons held by the teachers were added conferences on different present themes, with the help of the military or civilian personnel of high proficiency.
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Education and Culture
Transformation in the Military Education

Military education system operates according to the national educational standards New concepts in professional training and professional development of the military personnel. 9-month period is necessary for specializing in branch the Army Academy graduates
Lieutenant-C Colonel Dragos ANGHELACHE
translated by Corina STRAT
mong Land Forces Staff priorities of this year there is also the human resource. That is why, this year a great attention will be also paid to improving training of personnel headquarters, large units, units and subunits from the Land Forces. Brigadier-General Ph.D. Nicolae Roman, Chief of Training and Doctrine Directorate within the Romanian Land Forces Staff, specified that military education will be developed according to the national educational standards and regulations of the Defense Ministry in order to develop the socio-professional skills stated in the graduate's profile. The Land Forces units and subunits training process will also take place according to modern principles and concepts, veri-
Military education system operates according to the national educational standards and regulations of the Defense Ministry in order to develop the socioprofessional skills stated in the graduate's profile
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fied/applied within other NATO member states' forces during recent military conflicts and missions in operations theaters. In addition to this, General Roman also stated that accomplishing a total and interesting vision of forces training as a part of the general training process, interoperability achievement regarding the training field along with NATO members states' Land Forces and the implementation of the command and control concepts at Land Forces level is taken into account. Regarding military students' education/training, Colonel Marian Gargaz, Chief of the Education Compartment within the Romanian Land Forces Staff, stated the fact that, starting with 2008, there will be implemented new concepts regarding professional training, development and involvement of officers, consequently warrant officers and NCO'S within Romanian Land Forces. During this period "we came up to some conclusions, disfunctions, compulsions which made us revise the curriculum of all institutions in order to reach the goal that we've designed according to the graduate's profile". One of the long-term concerns of Land Forces Staff regarding teaching activity in military education institutions is for the Land Forces Academy to be able to organize and develop master thoroughgoing studies in the fields the Academy is authorized for, beginning the next educational year. "Another very important issue that we want to bring into discussion is to redesign the study curricula and the analytical ones for specializing in branch the Land Forces Academy graduates according to a minimum 9-month period; we consider that this period is long enough for developing the skills and abilities necessary for a platoon commander of an army branch". At the level of the Land Forces Staff leadership it was considered that the existing 6-month training period wasn't sufficient for preparing a true specialist in branch an officer with command skills necessary for carrying out the specific missions of the subunits. Within Training and Doctrine Directorate there is also developing and will be soon authorized a program which stipulates unique standards for initial and basic training of the personnel that joins Land Forces System, as students or as civilians, to attend the NCO training course directly or as volunteers. "It's a unique program
which develops fighting skills in the some way, time, place being based on the same training program." explained Colonel Gargaz. After that each person will complete their special training by attending a separate module within.
We want to bring into discussion how to redesign the study curricula and the analytical ones for specializing in branch the Land Forces Academy graduates according to a minimum 9-month period
It's a new approach, which will be put into practice starting with this school year; even more, this program with unique standards will be also introduced in the training battalions for the first military volunteers who will be trained by the Land Forces Staff starting with April. By the end of this year, the girl's minimal height limit for entering into military college/ high schools will rise. "We've noticed during a few series of students that smaller girls didn't grow as much as the boys and the fact that they encountered problems when entering into Land Forcer Academy. We've decided to rise the actual limit for entering into high school with 4-5 cm, so that the limit entering into LFA or Warrant Officers and NCO'S School, to be at least 1.65m", concluded Colonel Gargaz.
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"Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy at 160 Years

On June 13, 1847, by Wallachia's ruler Gheorghe Bibescu royal mandatory nr.136, in Bucharest was created the first officers school, whose tradition is kept nowadays with honour by "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy in Sibiu.
a story by Lieutenant-C Colonel Claudiu IORDACHESCU
translated by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU
considerable number of graduates of this institution, from the generations that alternated at the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, live today in the people's minds for their self-sacrifice. The old town on Cibin hosted on June 13 the celebration of its 160 anniversary. The team lead by the Academy's president Colonel Professor Ph.D. Alexandru Babos, mobilized itself exemplarily, succeeding in organizing high quality manifestations, according to the event essence. In this respect, this important celebration was opened by the scientific communication session of students, called "SECOSAFT-2007" (11-12.06.2007), the 12th edition. The scientific works presented on this occasion and reunited under the aegis "The student scientific creation at the beginning of the 21st century" benefited by the participation of more than 45 invitees from nine European countries, USA and Canada. The anniversary day, June 13, started with a meeting inside the academy hall and continued with a reli-
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gious and military ceremonial in the Big Square of Sibiu city which this year got the title of European cultural capital. The end of ceremony belonged to the students who presented demonstrative exercises for the assistance. Important persons assisted the ceremony: Corneliu Dobritoiu secretary of state and chief of the Planning and Defence Policy Department in Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Sorin Ioan - Deputy in Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Teodor Frunzeti - chief of Land Forces Staff, GeneralMajor Ph.D. Ioan Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps commander, Generals and officers with important positions within the superior structures of the military, units and subunits commanders, many of them former students of the academy, church high representatives, members of the local public administration. The religious service was officiated by a high membership of priests starting with His Excellency Visarion Rasinareanul, the dean archbishop of Sibiu. The Romania's President Message transmitted through Presidential Decree on this occasion was read in the presentation ending and the Academy's War Flag was decorated with the Order "Military Virtue" in Knight Rank. A large number of the teaching-staff and academy officers were awarded with medals by the officials at the ceremony, such as: "The Honour Emblem of Land Forces", Excellency diplomas - offered by the minister of Education, Research and Youth, anniversary distinctions. In the evening, starting with 9.30 p.m., the military students made a demonstration of torchlight, on an itinerary comprising the main avenues of the city. Present during the manifestations, MajorGeneral Ph.D. Ioan Ciupei - the 4th Territorial Army Corps commander stated: "33 years ago I walked out the gates of this glorious institution as young Lieutenant and began my career. On my new road I had the privilege to receive the highest honors and rewards for my activities. I became who I am here in this military academy. I found again today, with deep and pleasant feelings, some of my former commanders, a part of my former teachers, now retired. I saw again my classroom, the alleys where I spent years of my youth.(...)I lived with a deep and sincere emotion this event and I am convinced that I will come back to Sibiu garrison with pleasure (...)".
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An Ambitions Plan For the Military Circle of Ploiesti

It is somewhat usual for he inhabitants of Ploiesti to hear music when they are passing under the windows of the Military Circle. Beyond the walls pointed in clay, there is permanently
a story by Lieutenant Colonel Dragos AGHELACHE
translated by Major Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
is somewhat usual for he inhabitants of Ploiesti to hear music when they are passing under the windows of the Military Circle. Beyond the walls pointed in clay, there is permanently somebody who has to do rehearsals. In fact, during the last years, the building on Golesti street, NO. C, become the cultural center of the active and reserve militaries of the garrison of Prahova county. To them, also civilians join. There are activities that, being repeated for years, become already a tradition. Even here one con mention "The Evenings of November" or "Eminescu Evenings" on each January 15 (his birthday).
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Here are invited actors from "Toma Caragiu" theatre or musicians from the "Paul Constantinescu" Philharmonic Orchestra, in order to offer the public a few hours of music and poetry. It is on approach through which one tries to be closer to arts mastered by Caliope, Ercatoo and Eriterpe. This activity has been initiated by the former chief of the Military Circle, Vasile Simion and has been continued with inspiration by bis disciple, Neculai Vicol. Singer of folk music and romance, with concerts held inside the country and abroad, awarded with prizes in different festivals, Vicol proposed for himself two projects during this year, that could be considered ambitions ones. In the artistic plan he wants the Military Circle of Ploiesti to win the first prize at all the festivals organized by the Ministry of Defence. It is, indeed, am extreme ambitions plan, but he considers it feasible because it is based both on the singers with remarkable voice (Mrs. Domnica Sorescu-Voicu, a remarkable voice, laureate of the Golden Chrysanthemum Festival and Mrs. Letitia Gheorghe, With very good talent at dramatic art) and on the talents made within the creation circles of this institution. Under the roof of the Military Circle performers their activity the "Doina Dorului" melancholy music group the "Lied" light music band and "Le Dom" folk group, "the Barracks" theatre formation.
As regards the institution development, the Military Circle already calla borates strongly both with the theatre and philharmonic orchestra from Ploiesti and also with the Inspectorate for Culture of Prahova County, the County Library "Nicolae Iorga", the Country Museum of History and Archaeology and Syndicates Culture House. One cannot neglect the fact that the employees of the Military Circle have TV apparition on the Alpha TV, the local TV station almost weekly. On the "internal" plan,??? the Military Circle organizes courses of sport dance and of English. Additionally here performs circle of radio amateurs (who won prizes at the national and international levels), and of tailoring, audio-video movie projection and finally folk music. The second project of Mr. Vicol aims at creating a tradition hall in collaboration with the County Museum of History and Archaeology and with the county branch of the national associations such as Heroes Cult and of the Reserve and Retreating military personnel. More than that, Mr. Vicol he also being a military reserve officer - was inspired from an approach of the municipality authorities and he intends to organize a club of the military personnel retreated to pension through which these ones could benefit from the facilities offered by the Military Circle of Ploiesti, both the cultural ones and of spending their spare time.
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Land Forces
"Dimitrie Cantemir" Military High School from Breaza at Its 95th Anniversary
Photo: LTC Drago ANGHELACHE
Military Equipment
EXPOMIL Bucharest 2007

Between the 18th and the 21st of October 2007, one can admire state-of-the-art military equipment, inside the area of the exhibition complex, ROMEXPO, Bucharest.
a story by Lieutenant-C Colonel Dragos AGHELACHE and Major Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU
he international exhibition of military equipment, EXPOMIL, reached its 5th edition and it was organized by ROMEXPO staff together with the Romanian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Reform, ROMARM and PETROMIL companies. More than 100 companies from 18 countries - Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Turkey and the United Kingdom - participated in. This aspect highlight the presence within EXPOMIL both of NATO member states and other ones deeply involved in fight against the international terrorism. "An exhibition on military matters is necessary because it makes a natural connection between Romania's constant preoccupations for interoperability and the world of businessmen, specialists, producers, and merchants directly involved alongside the military, in achieving the programs of modernizing the combat equipment, relaunching the national defence industry and exports in this field." - Catalin Trifu, manager of Organizing ROMEXPO Markets and Exhibitions. The range of exhibits was diversified and it comprised: systems and equipment for the land forces, naval forces and aviation, systems for command, control, communication and informatics, EOD devices, equipment for the internal security, weapons and defence systems, basic facilities for supporting missions, protection, safety, survival and risk, uniforms and individual equipment, services. According to our readers interests, our reporters visited the stand of prestigious companies both from Romania and abroad, dealt with military equipment for the land forces. Many of them have a long and traditional collaboration with the Romanian Ministry of Defence within the complex process of upgrading the military equipment. Of course, firstly, our reporters headed to the stands Romanian ones. Specialists did not hesitate to answer the questions and to provide interesting details on the exhibits present.
CARFIL SA is a branch of ROMARM Agency. At the 5th edition of EXPOMIL this company exhibited its traditional products that are known in all the world markets. For this year it came with something new. The mortar bombs were equiped with components made in cooperation with a partner from Germany, Junkhans Co, that is known as the best fuse producer. CARFIL SA made also the 40 mm explosive - incendiary round for RPG-7, portable antitank grenade launcher (AG-7). It is an absolute novelty for this calibre and the company is considered pioneer. Other new exhibit was the active - reac-
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Military Equipment
tive 120 mm round, with its range improved to 15 km, known as BAC 15. This round is fired from the 120 mm mortar, slightly modified, meaning that the mortar barrel is a little longer than that one of the classic mortar. Other traditional products that underwent modifications are as follows: the 60 mm bombs, the 81-82 mm bombs and the 120 mm bombs in an explosive, smoke, incendiary and illumination configuration. Of course, there were also modified the wellknown bombs of RPG - 7 and the 73 mm ones for RPG-9 (AG-9) antitank grenade launcher.
Beginning 1997, the armament producers from Resita have been collaborating with OERLIKON CONTRAVES from Switzerland, a company that belongs now to Rheinmetal. Together with them, they made the 2x35 antiaircraft artillery battalion whose equipment endowed three operational antiaircraft battalions. It was also made with them and the National Research Agency for Military Equipment and Technology ROMARM, the 25 mm gun equiping the infantry combat vehicle made in Mizil. The armament producers from Resita have also artillery equipment in different stages of upgrading, such as: the 100 mm antitank gun that can also fire the arrow round, the 100 mm mountain howitzer and the 152 mm howitzer in two variants that has a device helping the load operations. One doesn't need to put the howitzer barrel in horizontal position when loading the 40-50 kg round and have to fire under large angles. The loading devices were improved by making a pneumatic system that loads the rounds even under large firing angles thus recovering the time lost by bringing back the barrel in a horizontal position. The armament works from Resita came into being in 1972. In April, they celebrated the 35 years anniversary. All this time the works personnel have been making artillery equipment for the Romanian Armed Forces. All what have been delivered till now are reliable devices but they need a serious maintenance.
Resita
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Military Equipment
Plopeni Mechanical Works presented at this edition of EXPOMIL some systems of electronic counter measures for aircraft, helicopters and armor vehicles. One of these novelties is the counter measure system with dual action for armored vehicles, both in infrared and radiolocation. Recently, the dual system in radiolacation and smoke camouflage was tested. It were also perfected - and there are certainly requests for the next year - counter measure systems for helicopters, CHAF and FLARE 1x1 and 1x2. Among other exhibits presented it was also the war head for the missile with increased range and load with dual effect sub-ammunition. The missile has 80 km range, 380 dual effect grenades with a dispersion of 400x400 m. During the last months, there were also deve-
S.C. Uz zina Mecanica Plopeni S.A. ( Plopeni Mechanical Works )
loped the 30 mm ammunition for the naval systems, the NN 30, AK 630 and AK 306 with manoeuvre ammunition for receiving the artillery systems during the periodical inspections, overhauls and demonstrative firing exercises. Outside the EXPOMIL pavilion there were exposed the new and modern Romanian armored personnel carrier (APC), SAUR, produced by Automecanica Moreni, the infantry armored vehicle MLI 84 M produced by MFA Mizil and upgraded in cooperation with RAFAEL from Israel, alongside the Romanian main battle tank, TR 85 M1 the Bucharest Mechanical Plant. SAUR represents a new APC solution for the actual requiments of the modern battlefield. It is totally different from the APC models existing in the Romanian Land Forces units. It is generous as regards the inner space, that allows rapid entrance and evacuation of personnel. It can be also equiped with any type of RCWS weapon system, it is an amphibious vehicle and it has a powerful American engine of 275 HP. Modern sighting systems and also, the night vision devices allow the vehicle to operate in any conditions of time and low visibility. It could be proper for the actual theatres of operations taking into consideration its high performances and adaptability to the battle environment. The Romanian main battle tank, TR 85 M1 is an effective solution for the battlefield of today. It is made in collaboration with companies from France, such as SFIM, EADS, SAGEM, KOLLMORGEN, RKS and L'HOTELLIER. Its performances can be demonstrated by:
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Military Equipment
Effective weapons that provide: high lethality against all target types due to the APFSDS rounds and firing range, stabilized and accurate gun, day and night sighting system with IR/ light intensifier, modern control fire system. Improved survivability through: additional passive armor, laser illumination warning sensors, flare/smoke grenade launcher, rapid fire supression system, NBC protection. Improved mobility provided by: a modern, powerful engine and transmission system, effective suspension, hydrogas shock absorber, two-bolt tracks .
Among the foreign companies that have traditional cooperation with the Romanian ones, as regards equipment, ammo and weapons for land forces, is also RAFAEL from Israel. It has a long collaboration in this field for more than six years with Romanian companies, such as MFA Mizil, where specialists said that they form together with the Romanian ones, a very good team, especially as regards upgrading the infantry armored vehicle, MLI-84 M with remotely controlled weapon stations (RCWS). Many of these vehicle are already in the endowment of the o Romanian Land Forces' units that are operational for NATO forces. RCWS is based on the principle of mounting the weapon in an external, above deck mount, while the gunner is located under the vehicle deck in any convenient position and protected by the vehicle's armor. At EXPOMIL, one can
RAFAEL
admire the SAMSON -RCWS which is an advance development of the previous generation's overhead weapon stations (OWS), which were pioneered jointly by RAFAEL and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to provide the best available protection for the crew. The system provides also "on the move" target aquisition and firing. It has a low silhouette and it is lightweight. It can be easily mounted on any type of vehicle. PRO OPTICA may be also, in the next future, another serious Romanian partner for RAFAEL and the Israeli specialists hope to have a very good collaboration as regards the optical systems. "Taking into consideration the number of participants in this event the EXPOMIL can be considered a real success both for the companies present, Romanian defence industry and for visitors. We belive in the positive impact in time of this event upon development of the military relationship between Romania and our neighbours, the NATO member nations, partner nations and military equipment producers. One of our goals is also to demonstrate our nation's capacity to produce and export military equipment, weapons and ammunition, especially at NATO standards" - the minister of Defence, Teodor Melescanu appreciated.
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Sports
Second Place in Sporty Relay Race of the Military Ski Championship in Spain
Between the 5th and 9th of March, the National Military Championship of Spain took place in Candanchu and Astun.
an interview by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU
translated by Corina STRAT
delegation led by Colonel Ioan Armanu, chief of the Sport Development within the Land Forces Staff was invited by the Spanish homologues to participate together with a sportsmen team of the "Bucegi" Military Sport Club.
Colonel, for the beginning, can you give us some technical details regarding the participants? There were eight groups from four countries, over 100 participants from Spain, the host country, Germany, France and Romania. Taking into account the other "white sport" competition can you tell us why there were a low number of participants? There were problems with the snow, because in Spain the temperature was high enough; because of this, the contest took place at 2,000 m altitude, the organizers invited us and tried to provide the best conditions for this event. tion? Didn't the other countries accept the invita-
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Sports
of the high temperatures, the unfavorable weather conditions in Europe. For instance, USA and Italy decided not to participate at the last moment. How the championship was structured, which were the sport events? There were relay and slalom events. We brought guns with us, because the organizers had announced us that there would be a biathlon event but it
was cancelled, the schedule was changed. The biathlon is also a long distance contest, but it includes lying and standing firing positions. We had a 4-person team, all of them being biathlonist and they had to compete in long distance contests. Did our competitors participate in the slalom contest? They didn't participate in slalom. Although the delegation was reduced, the contest took
place at over 2,000 m altitude, on ice and low temperatures and our team succeeded in getting the 3rd prize in the individual contest, through Staff Sergeant Vasile Sneaga and the 2nd prize in relay race. I think the results are very good under these conditions. The delegation was composed of Vasile Sneaga, Claudiu Suciu, Cristian Mosoiu and Alexandru Trisca, but our best sportsman, Anatol Szolt, missed because he was gone in Sapporo, Japan. Were there any differences from "CASTA" Italian Championship? This is the 8th edition of this contest and the Italian one was the 59th. Our country participates for the second time in Spain, the first time, twoo years ago; our delegation was composed of girls also, and we won the first place in all the events. Last year we didn't attend and this year we've had a small delegation. At the end of the competition there were present the Commander of the Military Physical Training Department, Chiefs of the Physical Training Departments of the three branches and Civil Guard.
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Sports
The Tradition of Being on the Podium

The 59th edition of "CASTA 2007" Alpine Troops Ski Championship was open between January 28th February 2nd where more than 200 skiers came from 9 countries to fight for their egos and trophies.
a story by Second Lieutenant Andreea POPESCU
translated by Nicoleta DOROS
was a traditional competition for the military skiers from all over the world, especially for the Romanian sportsmen, who, on this 11th participation, won the second position in the general classification among teams, this being the best position up to now.
It
As in every year, our country was represented by the best skiers, such as the ones from Bucegi Military Applicative Sports Club in Predeal. They competed against players from Italy, Germany, USA, Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain, Argentina and Croatia. Our team led by Colonel Ioan Armanu, chief of Physical Training Department in the Romanian Land Forces Staff and by the team leader, LTC Madalin Hincu was formed of: the girls team: Simona Craciun, Ruxandra Scortea, Simona Cojenelu, Mihaela Purdea; and the boys team: Zsolt Antal, Claudiu Suciu, Cristian Mosoiu, Sgt. 1st class Vasile Sneaga: coaches: Sgt. 1st class Ileana Ianosiu - Hangan, Sgt. 1st class Daniel Mazilu and Captain Ion Prundaru. In 2006, Romania was the third country after Italy and Germany in the general top, but this
Nr. 1 2007
51
Sports
year the skiers from Predeal outran the German skiers' team and got the second place. It was a remarkable result considering the fact that the Romanian skiers took part in only three events, while Italy had several teams: Guard of Finance, Guard of Forests, Iulia Alpine Brigade. However, Italy was a traditional winner of this competition, hence the presence of some famous people from the Italian Army to the festivity opening and closing: the Secretary of Defense, chief of Italian Army Headquarters, the Commandant of Alpine Troops and the Italian Ministry of Defense, who declared: "In terms of sports, Italy is proud and always eager to be on top". The Romanian skiers participated into the long-distance race, relay race, biathlon and they got a place on the podium for all of these events. In individual female long-distance race Mihaela Purdea got the first
place, and in individual male long-distance race, Zsolt Antal got the third place. In female relay race Mihaela Purdea and Simona Craciun got the third place just as Zsolt Antal and Claudiu Suciu in male realy race. At biathlon the girls Craciun Simona, Scortea Ruxandra, Cojenelu Simona and their coach Sgt. 1st class Ileana Ianosiu - Hangan got the first place and the boy team got the second place at the same event. The Romania skier Mihaela Purdea also took part in the Biathlon World Championship in Antholoz, together with the Romanian team. Congratulations to the military sportsmen who always represent the Romania Army with pride and returned from these competitions with glory and cup prizes. May their lately success result in the Romanian traditions of the podium.
52
Land Forces
www.rft.forter.ro

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EVENIMENT

Publication issued by the Romanian Land Forces Staff

THE EDITORIAL STAFF

A StudentFrom Iasi in France 34

ROMANIAN LAND FORCES IN ACTION

Transformation in the Military Education 35

The scouts' ardent mornings 18

The Lacustrine Experiences of Engineers 20

Flight Half Torment, Half Time 24

SPORT THEATRES OF OPERATIONS

The Tradition of Being on the Podium 51

ISSN 1842-3051 B 00420 C 4092/08

The Romanian Land Forces Day

The Romanian Land Forces Day

The Romanian Land Forces Day

Common Points of Wiew Between Armies of two Countries

The Romanian Land Forces Day

Partners in Supporting Peace and Stability

Turkish Land Forces Commander

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Militaries Performed Outstanding Mmissions

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY

Romanian Land Forces

EU HELBROC BATTLE GROUP EXERCISE - GREECE

Translated by: Elena CISMASU

Photo: Captain Marius NITULESCU

Translated by: Luigi-M Mihail COJOCARU

Romanian Land Forces

Photo:Captain Marius Mihai

Translated by: Elena CISMASU

General HERBIA AL SAAD Commander of the 3rd Iraqi Brigade

Translated by: Elena CISMASU

Romanian Land Forces

Dialog Proof of Principle

Photo: Cristian SURUGIU

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian's Ambassador Visit

Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

Photo: Cristian SURUGIU

Romanian Land Forces

News MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROMANIAN LAND FORCES DAY

Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

Translated by: Second Lieutenant Andreea Popescu

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces in action

Signalmen From Craiova

Between traditio on and mo odernizatio on

A place of pro ofessio onals

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces in action

in common training with the battalion's militaries.

The Armed Fo orces - a safe and a real career

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces in action

The Scouts' Ardent Mornings

At the first ho our

Romanian Land Forces

Romanian Land Forces in action

Labo orato ory lesso on

Search and rescue missio on