US National Guard battalion and F-35 flying unit entered Romania./NIAL BRADSHAW
On Tuesday, May 3, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis notified the Senate and MPs that he had approved the introduction of the American battalion into the country “Stryker”.
The situation that arises on the borders with Ukraine and the Black Sea region is annoying. The Stryker Battalion will carry out NATO tasks and hold the defense.
According to the head of state, “this significant contribution is an unequivocal demonstration of US solidarity as an ally and main strategic partner of Romania in the context of efforts to strengthen deterrence and defense in the eastern flank of NATO”.
The escalation of tensions and the strengthening of the Russian military presence near Ukraine and the Black Sea region affect international security and stability, especially European and regional security in the Black Sea. an environment that would allow us to strengthen Romania's resilience, says President Iohannis in a letter to Parliament.
He noted that Romania and the United States must take all necessary steps to strengthen the defense of the allied states and increase security in Black Sea.
In Romania, it was allowed to deploy foreign troops and fighter-bombers
Kogannis also said that in Romania, at the request of NATO, foreign troops and American fighter-bombers can now be accommodated. The 35th detachment on the territory of the country will strengthen the air defense of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Based on the current situation and the intentions of the Russian Federation to confirm its status as a major regional state, a Plan was drawn up to operationalize the area of responsibility of the Supreme Commander of the European Allied Forces (SHAPE) at the level of the Supreme High Command of the Allied Forces (VAKUR), the President of the country said.
After reviewing NATO's request and consulting with a minister from the Supreme Council for National Defense, the country's president approved:
- deployment of a very high response capability NATO Response Force (VJTF) as needed to prepare and/or conduct combat operations in 2022 according to the planning data transmitted by NATO for the current year;
- deployment of ships in the Black Sea to carry out increased vigilance missions as part of a permanent NATO battle group;
- deployment of US, Italian and German aircraft, as well as British and US helicopters to monitor the airspace (ePA);< /li>
- deployment of US intelligence and research forces in the Black Sea and on the border with Ukraine;
- deployment of part of its forces in France as part of the consolidation of the allied presence on the eastern side of NATO (eFP);
- deployment on Romanian territory of part of the US forces in the garrisons of Buzeu, Smirdan, Constanta and the 57th airbase Mihail Kogelniceanu.
The head of state also informed the parliament that in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, “the United States invited a detachment of two F-35 aircraft with appropriate personnel from the Romanian military authorities to fly, land and operate in Romania. They will enhance the deterrent and defense capabilities of NATO airspace.
Latest on NATO:
- NATO activates the Alliance Response Force and establishes a new battlegroup in Romania.
- On May 1, the North Atlantic Alliance began large-scale military exercises “Defender of Europe” and “Quick Response”. They are taking place on the territory of Poland and 8 other NATO members.
- In addition to Poland, the United States, France, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom will take part in the exercises.
- Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland called for strengthening the defense of NATO's eastern flank.
