CINCU, Romania - Romanian and U.S. Army Reserve engineers officially marked the beginning of Resolute Castle 18 together at the Land Forces Training Center, "Getica," Cincu, Romania during an opening ceremony on May 11, 2018.
"This is a crucial element to Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO mission between the U.S., its European Allies, and its partners to support regional stability and promote peace in Europe," said Lt. Col. Abigail Cathelineaud, commander of the 397th Engineer Battalion, 372nd Engineer Brigade, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. "From its launching, Resolute Castle has represented a key landmark of Romanian and U.S. cooperation."
Romanian army Col. Vasile Ionescu, commander of the 10th Engineer Brigade, Cincu, Romania, stated the main objectives of this exercise consist of increasing the readiness of engineer troops in accordance with the NATO standards, and improving the training infrastructure within the joint national training center.
The ceremony marks the fourth year that the two nations have worked side-by-side constructing a training area suitable for both infantry and armored-based training scenarios.
"It represents a comprehensive cooperation framework aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, improving military interoperability, as well as refining both of our nations' ability to provide security and stability in Southeastern Europe," said Cathelineaud.
Over the extent of the next five months, seven different engineer units from the Army Reserves will rotate through the training center, continuing the construction projects until the mission is complete.
"We will leave this facility for other units to conduct realistic and challenging training so as to improve their ability to fight and win in the unforgiving crucible of war in defense of the values which our peoples hold so dear," said Cathelineaud.
The projects currently in progress include constructing nine-meter wide road, rebuilding of guard towers, installing a moving armored target for tanks to engage and successfully qualify and building a concrete masonry unit (CMU) that will be used to store equipment for range operations.
Cathelineaud said the two nations are also honored this year to have the expertise of the engineers from the Royal Netherlands army.
"Our three nations will benefit from these core pillars: the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder, build a strong friendship between our nations, and to increase training proficiency," said Cathelineaud.
She concluded by saying this partnership would continue to develop and expand by taking full advantage of all opportunities and the potential of a remarkable bilateral relationship.
"With this ceremony officially kicking off Resolute Castle 18, I have no doubt that the relations between Romania and the United States will advance towards a new level of excellence," she said.
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