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Romanian, U.S. Soldiers train together in ROMEX

By 1st Armored Division release
July 18, 2005

Babadag Training Area, Romania (Army News Service, July 18, 2005) - The final group of U.S. and Romanian Soldiers arrived at the Babadag Training Area July 17 in support of ROMEX 05, the largest bi-lateral exercise conducted in Romania with both U.S. and Romanian forces training side by side.

Upon their arrival from the 17-hour journey, about 550 members of the Texas National Guard’s 71st Brigade Combat Team conducted Reception, Staging and Onward Integration at Mihail Kogǎlniceanu Airport.

Spc. Chanelle Jackson of the 372nd Forward Support Battalion said her mind was filled with curiosity as she waited in line to go through customs. “I want to get the in-processing done and get out there, meet the Romanian troops, and get active,” she said.

As the U.S. Soldiers rode buses from the airport, weary eyes widened at the first sight of the country’s golden seas of sunflower fields. Meanwhile, more than 100 of their Romanian counterparts from the 26th Infantry Battalion “Neagoe Basarab” were enduring the 12-hour train ride from Craiova.

Tomorrow, Soldiers will prepare for tactical training that is scheduled to commence July 19. Both forces will integrate at the platoon level with one Romanian squad attached to three U.S. squads.

Scouts of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 71st BCT, were performing weapons maintenance as they settled into their tents.

Sgt. John Crutcher said that he was looking forward to integrating with the Romanian soldiers to watch each of the armies learn from each other. His unit is gearing up for a scheduled Multinational Force and Observers deployment early next year to the Sinai Penninsula, Egypt.

“Typically we train dismounted,” said Crutcher. “Putting us together on the mounted training site will come in really handy for the MFO.”

During ROMEX 05, the integrated platoons will hone their skills required for current military operations, including small arms training, convoy and situational live fire, and urban terrain operations. The exercise will continue through Aug. 2, with an official closing ceremony marking its conclusion.