For immediate release - Black Sea Rotational Force Romania Deployment closes in ceremony

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania (June 24, 2010) - A ceremony, June 24, at Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield officially ended the first deployment of Black Sea Rotational Force Marines and Sailors to Romania.

Black Sea Rotational Force is the first Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force to deploy to Romania. Since the force's opening ceremony, May 17, the Marines and Sailors have been conducting peacekeeping operations training with Macedonian, Ukrainian and Romanian Marines and soldiers. Additionally, a detachment of two U.S. Marine Corps KC-130T Hercules aircraft supported the force, providing cargo and personnel aerial lift capabilities and training support for Romanian airborne forces.

"I would like to thank the Romanian people, so well represented by their Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, for their incredible hospitality," said Lt. Col. Tom Gordon, the Black Sea Rotational Force commander in an address to senior U.S., Romanian and Ukrainian officials at the ceremony. "Since our arrival two months ago, my Marines and I have felt welcomed and have been afforded the opportunity to enjoy Romania's rich culture, while completing a vitally important mission. "

In addition to hands-on training in partnership with nations in the region, Black Sea Rotational Force has supported multiple community improvement projects, operated military-to-military familiarizations in several nations throughout the region, and worked with Romanian forces to host symposiums on subjects including military intelligence and military and civil affairs.

"In the relatively short time we have been here, my Marines and Sailors have tried to give something back," said Gordon. "These projects, though small, are examples of our resolve to not only strengthen the military-to-military relationship, but to build a rapport with the local community."

Most Black Sea Rotational Force Marines and Sailors are now scheduled to move south to Bulgaria's Novo Selo Training Area to begin peacekeeping operations training with Bulgarian soldiers, but a number of Marines will stay at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield throughout the force's deployment to Eastern Europe to support an additional logistics symposium.

Senior U.S. officials also said they see a growing partnership based on the success of the Black Sea Rotational Force.

"My staff is already working with your staffs to coordinate activities for next year's events which expand in both size and duration," said Brig. Gen. Paul Brier, the commander of Marine Corps Forces Europe. "These events will include peacekeeping operations training, counter-insurgency training, military to military familiarizations, symposiums, bi-lateral aviation events, conducting ‘train the trainer' noncommissioned officer academies and expanding our community relations projects.

"It is easy for me to see the future value of the BSRF to the Marine Corps," added Brier. "I hope that it is evident to all of you as well that these opportunities to work with U.S. Marines provide valuable insight into how we do our business."

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For more information, media may contact Staff Sgt. Christopher Flurry by e-mail at Christopher.flurry@usmc.mil; office at 0241 608 352; or mobile at 0731 294 522.

20100624-M-4597F-001 - U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Josiah Moreno, salutes as the U.S., Ukrainian and Romanian national anthems play at the Black Sea Rotational Force closing ceremony, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, Romania, June 24. Moreno, a nonlethal weapons instructor for Black Sea Rotational Force, is part of a force of more than 100 Marines who deployed to Romania with the mission of promoting regional stability, bolstering partner nations' military capabilities and building partnerships in the region.