1/8 Assumes Command of Black Sea Rotational Force

Photo By Staff Sgt. Immanuel Johnson | Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines salute the colors during the transfer-of-authority ceremony aboard Mihail Kognalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 22, 2016. The rotational force of Marines and sailors gives U.S. European Command the continuous capability to integrate with NATO and partner nations in Eastern Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released)  

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA

01.22.2016

Story by Cpl. Immanuel Johnson 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania – The transfer-of-authority ceremony for Black Sea Rotational Force took place aboard the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 22, 2016.

3rd Battalion, 8th Marines replaced Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment for the next iteration of the six-month deployment. Both units are stationed out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Kemper Jones, the outgoing commanding officer, highlighted the mission that the oncoming battalion will assume.

“Combined Arms Company and some of weapons company brought in tanks, artillery, engineers and the infantry enabling the opportunity to combine those forces and coincide training was a success,” said Jones. “The Romanian forces were in the middle of the fight participating alongside our mechanized forces throughout our time here.”

The oncoming battalion brings approximately 500 Marines and sailors scheduled to conduct two large-scale exercises, five “Platinum” exercises, as well as numerous military operations working cohesively with several NATO allies.

“As Marines, we come to this part of the world to support NATO and show our commitment. We have people here that have fostered relationships for years. We have people that have directly assisted BSRF,” said Ansel. “Those relationships transcend boundaries that contribute directly to regional security.”

Lieutenant Col. Ansel and Sgt. Maj. Brian Alsleben, the oncoming sergeant major, uncased the unit’s colors during the transfer of authority, which Col. James Donnellan, deputy commander for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, attended.

The outgoing BSRF rotation conducted 44 military-to-military engagements, four small scale, and five large scale exercises training alongside 17 countries.

Black Sea Rotational Force is a biannual rotation of Marines and sailors that are able to respond to a broad spectrum of military operations in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. BSRF enables the continuation of regional stability while strengthening and maintaining partnerships with allied nations.

The rotational force of Marines and sailors gives U.S. European Command the continuous capability to integrate with NATO and partner nations in Eastern Europe.

• Date Taken: 01.22.2016
• Date Posted: 01.27.2016 12:41
• Story ID: 187145
• Location: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO