Task Force 1-8 IN hosts Kids Day at MK International Airport

By Pvt. Nicholas VidroMarch 21, 2017

Task Force 1-8 IN hosts Kids Day at MK Int'l
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Lauren Woods with Task Force 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment allows a local child to monitor her heartbeat as a part of Kids Day at Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport on March 21, 2017. The event was open to school-children from Grig... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Task Force 1-8 IN hosts Kids Day at MK Int'l
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Soldier from Task Force 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment applies camouflage face paint to a local child as a part of Kids day at Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport on March 21, 2017. The Kids Day event allowed the Romanian public an... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Task Force 1-8 IN hosts Kids Day at MK Int'l
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Soldier from Task Force 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment assists a local school child atop a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as a part of Kids Day at Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport on March 21, 2017. The annual event allowed the public... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Task Force 1-8 IN hosts Kids Day at MK Int'l
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Soldier from Task Force 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment secures a protective vest to a local child as a part of Kids Day at Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport on March 21, 2017. The annual Kids Day event gave Soldiers the opportuni... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania -Soldiers from Task Force 1-8 Infantry hosted Romanian school-children of Grigore Moisil School at a static display of military vehicles and other equipment as part of Kids Day at Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport, Romania on March 21, 2017.

The event was in honor of an annual Kids Day event where local school children take a break from class to observe different types of institutions to learn about how they work. This year's event gave the children the chance to see U.S. and Romanian forces working together up close as well as to see what U.S. Soldiers are up to.

1st. Lt. Samuel Jolley, Protection Officer for Task Force 1st Infantry, 8th Regiment spoke on the importance of the event.

"We get the opportunity to get children to see what we're doing here at Mihail Kogalniceanu," said Jolley.

According to Jolley, the day's events were scheduled by the task force over the last month, and were designed to appeal to the public as well.

The Kids Day event showcased the cohesion of Romanian and U.S. forces as they support Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO mission between the U.S. and European Allies to enhance international relationships as well as deter aggression in Europe. This part of the mission was a part of enhancing relationships with the local community, giving the Romanian people the chance to meet the new guests in their country.

The event was broken up into several parts. The children got a tour of multiple vehicles including a M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a UH-60 Black Hawk and a Romanian MiG-21 fighter jet. They also experienced what it was like to wear equipment such as Improved Outer Tactical Vests, helmets, and to don camouflage face paint. There was also a first-aid station available to the kids for them to practice medical techniques on willing Soldiers.

Spc. Adam Struckmeier, a fire engine driver with the 557 Fire Detachment, 62nd Forward Support Company reflected on what he saw in the children at the event.

"By the looks on their faces they had a lot of fun. It's nice to see they're not afraid of us," he said.

Mihail Dumitrascu, a local parent of one of the school-children agreed, summing up the feelings of many at the event. .

"I don't think the children expected all this and they enjoyed it very much." said Dumitrascu.

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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51st country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnership and enhance global security.

U.S. Forces host Kids' Day event in Romania