Capu Midia Range, Romania -- Soldiers from Delta Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment alongside Airmen from the Romanian 1st Homing All the Way Killer Battery conducted a rapid air defense interoperability exercise November 3-6 as part of the first ever U.S.-Romanian air defense exercise, Patriot Shock, which was designed to highlight both nations' speed of interoperability.
As night fell on Mikhail Kogalniceanu Airport in Romania the sound of engines turning over could be heard echoing from the nearby railhead. The clock measuring how quickly the Soldiers from Delta Battery, 5-7th ADA could establish interoperability with their Romanian allies had started to tick. As these grizzled air defenders set out on their convoy to Capu Midia Range the confidence in their training, their equipment, and their allies was evident in every task they performed. There was no doubt that these guardians of freedom would accomplish their mission.
Days later, the triumphs and successes from that first dark night were evidenced by the smiles that could be found on every face in both the U.S. Patriot site and the Romanian HAWK site. These two units had showcased their nations' ability to rapidly establish interoperability demonstrating their combined desire to deter aggression in the Black Sea Region.
"The things we've achieved in regards to equipment interoperability during this exercise have been incredible," explained 1st Lt. Joseph Foss, a plans officer for 5-7 ADA Battalion, "but none of it would have been possible without the strong working relationship we've built between our two nations. The strengthening of our partnership is the real success."
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when determining the magnitude of the successes that these two nations have had is that this exercise is the first time a U.S. Patriot Battery has visited Romania. This simple fact highlights that with a strong enough working relationship and open communication between multinational partners, nations who have very limited experience conducting interoperability exercises together can make dramatic advances towards a Stronger Europe in a very short amount of time.
As Patriot Shock moves on to the Live Air Training portion of their exercise, both the Romanians and the Americans find themselves looking forward to exercises Saber Guardian and Tobruq Legacy next year with eager anticipation.
"These things we have accomplished here are good, but they are just the beginning." states General Cavalera, the Deputy Commander of the Romanian Air Force, "We look forward to conducting future exercises with the U.S."
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