Romanian Chief of Defense visits Alabama National Guard

MONTGOMERY, AL (09/26/2012)(readMedia)-- The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a program that pairs developing allied armed forces with a state National Guard for mentoring and training. This federally funded program allows Alabama National Guard personnel to train with their Romanian counterparts.

The Alabama National Guard has been partnered with Romania for almost 20 years. During this time, Alabama Guardsmen have been building a relationship with the Romanians, learning from and teaching each other. For the first time in the history of this partnership, the Romanian Chief of Defense, Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila, came to visit Alabama and see for himself the capabilities of the Alabama National Guard.

Danila visited several key locations in the Alabama Guard. He was accompanied by Romania's 2nd Infantry Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, and Maj. Lucian Indolean of the Ministry of National Defense- International Affairs.

The visitors received briefings and tours at several unit locations across the state to include the Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, 117th Air Refueling Wing, the 187th Fighter Wing, the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element training site at Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center. They also met with Alabama's governor, Robert Bentley.

"We are at a point in our partnership where both sides are drawing down from deployments, and both of us need to decide the direction to go to maintain skills and equipment gained during (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom)," said Lt. Col. Shannon Hancock, State Partnership Program Director. "The Romanians are very interested in exploring how to start a National Guard or Reserve force to reduce their military costs."

"Alabama's partnership with Romania is critical as that country moves from an all active force to an active/reserve structure that provides a robust military capability while conserving resources," said Brig. Gen. Allen Harrell, Director of the Joint Staff, Alabama National Guard. "The relationship is fruitful for Alabama as well, providing an ongoing opportunity for our soldiers and airmen to work with those of an allied nation and preserve the skills needed to succeed in multinational operations."

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Office: Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila, Romania's Chief of Defense, alongside Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, the Adjutant General of Alabama, and several other visitors meet with Alabama's Governor Robert Bentley in his office September 19, 2012. The Romanian military delegation visits with the Alabama National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program. (Photo by Spc. Brenda Thomas)

CHOD: Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila, Romania's Chief of Defense, tours the 187th Fighter Wing to learn more about the unit's organization and missions September 20, 2012. The Romanian military delegation visits with the Alabama National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program. (Photo by Spc. Brenda Thomas)

Gift: Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila, Romania's Chief of Defense, presents Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, the Adjutant General of Alabama, with a large coin displaying the Romanian seal September 19, 2012. The Romanian military delegation visits with the Alabama National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program. (Photo by Spc. Brenda Thomas)

Posted Wednesday September 26, 2012 at 09:41 am by Alabama National Guard
Last Updated Thursday September 27, 2012 at 09:48 am