The move made by the US Army in Romania, shortly before the news of the reduction in the number of American troops
The US 3rd Infantry Division replaced the 1st Armored Division on Monday in a ceremony at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. PHOTO: Regina Koesters, US Army
The 3rd Infantry Division took over command of the Army's operations in the Black Sea region on Monday, with a task force of soldiers sent to Romania for a nine-month mission, the US Army announced, cited by Stars and Stripes publication. On Wednesday, the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced the reduction of the number of American troops in our country.
The 3rd Infantry Division replaced the 1st Armored Division on Monday in a ceremony at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, which serves as the main hub for US forces in Romania, the US military said in a statement.
The operations, writes the military publication Stars and Stripes, involve approximately 3,000 soldiers participating in missions in Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.
During its deployment, the 1st Armored Division's Task Force Iron “provided the integration of US-NATO command and control with detailed planning for crisis response operations, eastern flank defense lines, and forward ground force deployment,” the Army statement said.
The number of American soldiers in Romania had increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Strengthening military forces and command capabilities in the Black Sea area has become a priority following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The increase in the Pentagon's military forces in Europe also included an increase in the number of soldiers in and around Romania.
The arrival of the 3rd Infantry Division, Stars and Stripes reported Tuesday, comes amid an ongoing review of military force posture within the Pentagon that could have implications for the mission of U.S. European Command.
On Wednesday, the Romanian Ministry of Defense did indeed announce a “resizing” of US troops in Europe, information first revealed by the Ukrainian publication Kyiv Post.
According to MApN, “approximately one thousand American soldiers will remain deployed” in Romania.
At this moment, there are approximately 2,000 United States soldiers on Romanian territory, of which approximately 1,700 are at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Base. There are about 200 soldiers operating the Aegis Ashore anti-missile shield at the base in Deveselu, while there are over 100 other soldiers at the air base in Câmpia Turzii.
MApN: We have been informed of the redistribution of American troops
“The Ministry of National Defense has been informed about the resizing of part of the American troops deployed on NATO's Eastern Flank, as part of the process of reassessing the global posture of the US military forces,” says MApN in a press release.
According to him, among the elements of the brigade that will stop rotating in Europe, there are also forces destined for Romania, from the Mihail Kogălniceanu air base. Previously, HotNews.ro sources had said that, if there are reductions in American forces in Romania, these troops from Mihail Kogălniceanu will be targeted.
According to Bucharest, “the decision was expected, Romania being in permanent contact with the American strategic partner.”
“The resizing of US forces is an effect of the new priorities of the presidential administration, announced as early as February. The decision also took into account the fact that NATO has strengthened its presence and activity on the Eastern Flank, which allows the United States to adjust its military posture in the region,” says MApN.
The American decision is to stop the rotation in Europe of a brigade that had elements in several NATO states.
“Approximately 1,000 US troops will remain deployed on national territory, contributing to the deterrence of any threats and continuing to represent a guarantee of the US commitment to regional security,” the statement added.
