US, Romania showcase engineering capabilities during Resolute Castle event

SUBIU, Romania -- U.S. Army Europe Commanding General Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, Romanian Land Forces Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Nicolae-Ionel Ciuc�, and several additional dignitaries participated in a distinguished visitor's event as part of Resolute Castle in Cincu Training Area, Romania, July 25.

The USAREUR-led multinational operation consists of several construction projects executed in Romania, as well as Bulgaria, which are intended to better enable training and partnership among allies.

"Romania is a strategic partner to the United States because it is such a professional and reliable ally," Hodges said about Romania, which has been a member of NATO since 2004. "This is why the Army is here now, to assure our allies that we will always be here."

From isolating unexploded ordinance in the training area to improving roadways and training sites, the day's events demonstrated the Romanian and U.S.'s engineering capabilities, those that would help achieve the end state of establishing a land forces training center with the assets and capabilities necessary to better enable and train Soldiers.

"We want to take advantage of every opportunity we can to ensure NATO maintains its political relationships and partnerships," said Capt. Adam Yunker, quality assurance and control officer, Alabama Army National Guard's 877th Engineer Battalion. "This is a perfect example of just that."

Along with increasing the training capacity available for NATO forces, demonstrating the Army's commitment to the alliance, the engineer-centric operation serves as a force multiplier, highlighting the importance of the State Partnership Program.

By incorporating units such as the Alabama Army National Guard's 194th Engineer Brigade, the strength of the National Guard is better integrating into Operation Atlantic Resolve, the ongoing joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies.

"We want to seize every opportunity to train together with our allies in Europe," added Yunker, a Mobile, Ala., native. "What we are doing is paving the way for the future of our partnership."

Resolute Castle began June 15, with units continuing to rotate through Cincu Training Area, Romania and Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria until Sept. 15.