ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Virginia Army National Guard soldiers were awarded one of the highest Romanian military honors that can be awarded to members of a foreign military in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Lagman, Nov. 11.
Col. Marius Harabagiu, commander of the Romanian 1st Mechanized Brigade and a member of Combined Team Zabul, presented the Romanian Land Forces Emblem of Honour in a ceremony that celebrated U.S. Veteran’s Day.
116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recipients were: Col. Blake C. Ortner, commander, Col. Eric W. Barr, Lt. Col. William P. Scott, Lt. Col. Lt. Col. William L. Zana, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas H. Yancey. Also recognized were Lt. Col. Jeff R. Stewart, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment commander and Navy Cdr. Richard Lawlor.
A similar award ceremony was held in August for soldiers of the outgoing 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division who were relieved by the 116th IBCT. Romanian soldiers are scheduled to leave FOB Lagman in December.
Combined Team Zabul is a partnership between U.S., Romanian and Afghan forces conducting counterinsurgency operations in support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Zabul province.