The presence of the Romanian Army in Afghanistan

The last Romanian soldiers returned from Afghanistan after a 19-year uninterrupted presence of the Romanian Army in this country, one that contributed to its transformation and modernization and to the increase of the prestige of the Romanian soldiers within NATO.

In these years, 27 soldiers lost their lives and almost 240 were injured.

The Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff spoke about all this at the repatriation ceremony, which took place during the night at Base 90 Otopeni. Catalin Purcaru reports.

Reporter: 19 years of uninterrupted participation of the Romanian military in missions in one of the most difficult theaters of operations - all this period meant a continuous transformation of the Romanian Army, stressed the Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu.

Daniel Petrescu: We learned a lot of lessons in the theater of operations, we learned to strengthen our new capabilities, we were with the first contingents that deployed in Afghanistan, for three operations: Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support and ISAF and we are among the last to leave.

Reporter: The Romanian military was one of the main partners of the United States in Afghanistan, as evidenced by the fact that they were entrusted with important missions, such as ensuring the security of the military base in Kandahar. The commander of the “Jderii” Force Protection Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Vasile Mironescu, has a long experience in the Afghanistan.

Vasile Mironescu: I will never forget the moment when we were the last detachment I deployed from Kandahar to Bagram. I looked at the aircraft and saw that we were all safe and healthy, then I went back to base and said "I have matured here" and at the same time I thought of the Afghans, may God give them strength, to create a rule of law and enjoy the freedoms we all want.

Reporter: The process of withdrawing North Atlantic Alliance troops from Afghanistan began in May, after NATO officials decided to withdraw all Allied troops by September 11th. The date is a symbolic one. In 2001, the twin towers were destroyed in the terrorist attack, which led to the United States then sending the first troops to Afghanistan.

Translated by: Radu Matei