Black Sea Rotational Force 14 kicks off with ceremony

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexandria Blanche | U.S Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division held a ceremony to mark the turnover of a new iteration of Black Sea Rotational Force on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Aug. 21, 2014. 2/2 will be taking 3/8’s place for the winter rotation of BSRF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexandria Blanche, 2nd MAR DIV, Combat Camera/Released)  

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, ROMANIA

08.21.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA — Elements of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, as well as members of the Romanian Armed Forces, attended the closing ceremony for the second iteration of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 and the opening of the new iteration, Aug. 21 at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania.

The second iteration of BSRF-14 began in February 2014 with 3/8. The battalion conducted 13 major exercises and 46 small scale military-to-military engagements in 20 different countries, said Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of 3/8.

“For many Marines and Sailors, this was their first deployment, and a rewarding experience to work with our coalition partners, share techniques, and come away as better friends,” said Hall. “We learned a lot about culture, we learned about capabilities and [developed a] greater appreciation for North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces and how we can support them.”

Tactics and techniques in non-lethal weapons systems, integrating live-fires and coordinating multi-national training exercises were just a few of the lessons Marines and Sailors from 3/8 executed and taught to nations in the Black Sea region.

The battalion participated in more than just military exercises, holding an International Children’s Day celebration as well as an Independence Day celebration for the local nationals.
Col. Ioan Apafaian, Romanian BSRF director, thanked the Marines and Sailors of BSRF 14.2 for their efforts over the past six months and welcomed 2/2 as the incoming battalion. Apafaian assured the continued cooperation and support of the Romanian armed forces.

3/8 was replaced by 2/2, who will be conducting BSRF 14.2A over the winter season. Lieutenant Col. Joel Schmidt is the commanding Marine officer for the new rotation.

My Marines are excited to be working with you and continuing to build the historic relationship we have with the Romanian Armed Forces, said Schmidt.

BSRF 14.2A will take place over the next six months and continue the current missions of conducting multi-national military training , providing regional stability and developing lasting partnerships with nations in the region.

• Date Taken: 08.21.2014
• Date Posted: 08.22.2014 04:05
• Story ID: 140111
• Location: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, RO