CODRU TRAINING AREA, Moldova -- U.S. Soldiers from Regiment Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (RES, 2CR), stationed out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, and the Soldiers of the Republic of Moldova came together for the opening ceremony of Dragoon Pioneer at Codru Training Area, Moldova, May 5, 2016. Dragoon Pioneer is an exercise that brings the two armies together to learn from each other, improve interoperability and build a stronger relationship.
Moldovan Army Col. Mihail Buclis, the commander of the National Army Land Forces, welcomed the U.S. Soldiers with an opening speech to officially begin the exercise and to explain the importance of it.
"The purpose of this exercise is for both the Moldovan and U.S. Armies to train together and to work together," said Buclis. "We are a young army and we need to train and learn to operate with other militaries. This is a great opportunity for us considering your experience. I believe that we can learn from American Soldiers, but I firmly believe that this training will be mutual, demonstrating capabilities between units. I hope that this exercise will be a good beginning of bilateral relations."
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Deraney, the commander of the RES, 2CR, also had an opportunity to share his opinion about the exercise and to express his gratitude to the hosting nation.
"This is the largest U.S. Army formation doing partnered training in Moldova," said Deraney. "It was great to have the Moldovan Land Force commander, the Defense Attachés from Poland, Russia and Ukraine, and the Press here for this ceremony. We have been treated with nothing but kindness and great hospitality. I think this training is going to be a phenomenal opportunity to complement one another; I think it's the beginning of a very strong partnership."
During the next few days, the two armies will work and train side-by-side while conducting medical treatment and evacuation, field maintenance, and basic demolition and engineer operations.
Throughout this exercise the two armies will be able to build bilateral relations, friendship, professionalism and experience. Dragoon Pioneer is part of an ongoing bilateral cooperation between the U.S. Army and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova. (Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Steven M. Colvin/Released)
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