U.S. Army logisticians discussed supply and equipment surface movement processes with National Movement Coordination Center Romania to comply with Romanian law in Bucharest, Romania on November 21, 2022.
Romania Army Colonel Ivan Calinov, Chief of Romanian NMCC, and other representatives from NMCC, the authoritative organization and oversight for all foreign military movements in Romania, welcomed leaders from 21st Theater Sustainment Command, V Corps, 101st Airborne Division, 39th Movement Control Battalion, 330th Movement Control Battalion, and Black Sea Area Support Group.
“The enablement of Cross Border Military Mobility is critical for the U.S., NATO and the EU and this engagement and all engagements with NMCCs work to improve communications and processes to support CBMM,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott Gum, Chief of the 21st TSC Theater Movements Center.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Benjamin Pham, liaison officer Romanian NMCC, said the meeting was an opportunity for U.S. representatives to gain a better understanding of Romanian structures and guidelines, discuss potential challenges and make changes to address them.
Pham cited familiarity with Romania’s transportation guidelines as an example.
“It is an important planning factor that units comply with the transit laws of Romania in order to avoid international border issues and mission delays,” said Pham.
U.S. troops must submit diplomatic clearances requests to the NMCC within four to 14 working days. Heavier vehicles, rail movements, and escorted cargo require more time. Romanian officers briefed these timeline requirements, subordinate locations and command structure to attendees.
The Logistics Functional Area Services was a popular meeting topic. LOGFAS is a network used by NATO to share military movement plans and coordination and provides a common operating picture of movements on the national territory.
According to John Gallagher, supervisory traffic management specialist, 21st TSC, Romanian NMCC utilized the system exceptionally.
“The systems which the Romanian NMCC has in place for NATO movements directly supports and enables CBMM and the 21st TSC wants to tie in more closely with the NMCC's utilization of LOGFAS from an interoperability standpoint as we are heavily invested in the system for our movements,” said Gallagher.
An increase in military surface movements from Atlantic Resolve in Romania prompted this meeting to address challenges and ensure military movements are compliant. Atlantic Resolve is a rotational forward presence with approximately 7,000 troops throughout Europe to maintain and enhance levels of readiness, provide operational flexibility, and develop relationships and capabilities while increasing our interoperability.
At the end of the day, there were several plans made to enhance surface movement processes. A 21st TSC representative will visit Romania NMCC and align LOGFAS capabilities and processes to make the two partners more compatible.
“The Romanian NMCC will distribute a daily LOGFAS pull which will provide a diplomatic clearance status update for all submitted movements requiring movement credits,” said Pham.
Romania Army Lt. Marian Voicu, head of the movement and transportation office at NMCC Romania and interoperability officer, was pleased with the information exchange.
“The collaboration and the coordination with [the] U.S. Army permanent liaison officers in Movement Control Center Romania is perfect and makes our life easier for us and for your troops,” said Voicu.
To reduce communication dilemmas, the NMCC Headquarters in Bucharest, Voicu’s office location, was established as the primary point of contact between moving units and host nation military police.
The two nations will continue this exchange by holding a meeting early next year to review and adjust plans for the future.
Social Sharing