US Stryker Battalion And F-35 Detachment Deployed In Romania

The additional forces have been deployed to strengthen NATO's defence.

A US Stryker battalion and an F-35 detachment have been deployed in Romania.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has announced this.

"The escalation of tensions and the massive strengthening of the Russian military presence near Ukraine and in the Black Sea region affect international security and stability, especially European and regional security in the Black Sea, which would allow us to strengthen Romania's sustainability," President Iohannis said in a letter sent to parliament, Point.md reported.

According to the head of state, "this weighty contribution is an unequivocal demonstration of US solidarity as an ally and Romania's main strategic partner in the context of efforts to strengthen deterrence and defence on NATO's eastern flank."

"The deployment of a United States battalion in Romania demonstrates at the same time the strong commitment of the United States to deepen the transatlantic partnership within the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as in direct relations with the United States in the sense of consolidating in a unified and consistent manner the entire eastern flank, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, that Romania has with the United States, and it is consistent with the decision of NATO as a whole to take all necessary actions aimed at enhancing the allied states' defense," says the report.

"Based on the current situation and the intentions of the Russian Federation to reaffirm its status as a major regional power, an Operational Plan for the Area of Responsibility of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe at the level of the Supreme Allied Command has been drawn up," the letter sent to parliament by the head of state reads.

President Iohannis said that after analysing NATO's requests, the security situation in the region, following constitutional and legal provisions, on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Supreme National Defence Council, it was approved:

to deploy, if necessary, the NATO Response Force with a very high response capability to prepare and/or conduct combat operations, in 2022, in accordance with the planning data transmitted to NATO for the current year;

stationing in the Black Sea to carry out vigilance tasks as part of NATO's standing battle group shipborne group;

deployment of aircraft belonging to the United States, Italy and Germany, and helicopters belonging to the United Kingdom and the United States for air surveillance missions

deployment of US intelligence, reconnaissance and research capabilities in the Black Sea and on the border with Ukraine;

deployment of some French-owned forces to consolidate the allied presence on the eastern side of NATO;

deployment in Romanian territory, in the context of redeployment to Europe, of some US-owned forces in Buzau, Smârdan, Constanta garrisons and the 57th Airbase named after Mihail Kogălniceanu.