Crossing the Danube: NATO allies face rising waters together

Photo By Sgt. Samantha Hall | Romanian Armed Forces Cpl. Cazan Sandel of the 72nd Engineer Battalion, 10th Engineer Brigade, stands watch as Romanian boats secure individual floating segments of a pontoon bridge spanning the Danube River, constructed by Romanian Armed Forces in conjunction with the U.S. Army, on June 21, 2019, in Bordusani, Romania for Saber Guardian 19. “I can build a bridge almost anywhere,” said Romanian Armed Forces Lt. Col. Adrian Gheorghe of the 72nd Engineer Battalion, 10th Engineer Brigade, who coordinated the building of the bridge during a time when the river is at its very highest. "It was very difficult to build the bridge, but it's much easier when we learn from each other." Saber Guardian 19 is an exercise co-led by the Romanian Joint Force Command and U.S. Army Europe, taking place from June 3-24 at various locations in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. Saber Guardian 19 is designed to improve the integration of multinational combat forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha Hall)  

BORDUSANI , ROMANIA

06.22.2019

Story by Spc. Samantha Hall 

126th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

“I can build a bridge almost anywhere,” said Romanian Armed Forces Lt. Col. Adrian Gheorghe of the 72nd Engineer Battalion, 10th Engineer Brigade.

The Danube River seemed to have taken his statement as a challenge during the proceedings of Saber Guardian 19; its waters were flowing high and strong, threatening to send trees from her banks careening into the pontoon bridge built by the Romanian Armed Forces, partnered with the U.S. Army in Bordusani, Romania.

Thanks to the watchful eyes of coordinating U.S. Army liaison officers and Romanian Land Forces coordinators, the wet gap exercise had proceeded without incident.

"They watch all the time to keep us safe,” said Gheorghe. “For me, it’s going well. We’ve completed all our tasks and have not had a hazardous situation.”

Saber Guardian 19 is an exercise co-led by the Romanian Joint Force Command and U.S. Army Europe, taking place from June 3-24 at various locations in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. Saber Guardian 19 is designed to improve the integration of multinational combat forces.

“We love to work with our partners, any time. Especially to solve a crisis situation like this,” said Gheorghe. “Each guy brings an experience. If they share it, it’s much easier to look in the future, to put this solution together and, of course, to solve our task in no time.”

A pontoon bridge is constructed by connecting individual pontoon rafts, piece by piece, until they span a body of water. Pontoons are rigged to a boat, which sets anchor and helps stabilize the bridge even after all the pontoons are hinged together.

During Saber Guardian 19, Americans and Romanians have engaged in different ways of fording troops and equipment across the Danube River to include rafting and construction of a pontoon bridge, respectively. However, both nations have taken this opportunity to learn from he experiences of the other during this exercise.

"It was very difficult to build the bridge, but it's much easier when we learn from each other," said Gheorghe.

• Date Taken: 06.22.2019
• Date Posted: 06.22.2019 06:59
• Story ID: 328770
• Location: BORDUSANI , RO