Joint Task Force-East Press Release

Proof of Principle exercise opens with ceremony

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania – Romanian Soldiers joined with U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen to form Joint Task Force-East during the Opening Day Ceremony at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base today.

The proof of principle exercise is being held to validate the concept of U.S. Army brigade-sized rotational units training in Romania and Bulgaria with the opportunity to train with militaries from other countries from throughout Europe.

The ceremony started with invocations from the 341st Infantry Battalion’s military priest and the Task Force Deep Steel chaplain.

The ceremony continued with the posting of the U.S. and Romanian flags, Romanian and American national anthems, honors presentation, and speeches by both commanders.

The Joint Task Force-East Commander U.S. Army Col. Peri Anest and Romanian Army Col. Eugen Romanescu, Romanian Exercise Director participated in the ceremony. Romanian and American military officials and local government officials attended the ceremony.

“The exercise will offer significant opportunities to train staff and unit operations in a Joint and Combined multinational environment,” said Anest. “This opportunity will build interoperability and military relations essential to success in current and future coalitions.”

Romanescu underlined that this exercise represents the beginning of a new stage in the training of Romanian troops. One of the main objectives of the Romanian Land Forces in 2007 is to train the troops as they fight.

Approximately 270 Romanian Soldiers are scheduled to participate in the exercise.

Media representatives who wish to participate in media opportunities during the exercise should send an accreditation request before August 20 to: troy.darr@us.army.mil or fax: 0241 608176.

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