An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 26, 2012

Romanian defense chief visits Alabama National Guard

By Spc. Brenda Thomas Alabama National Guard

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - For the first time in the nearly 20-year partnership between the Alabama National Guard and Romania, that nation's defense chief paid a visit to Alabama.

Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila visited several key locations. Romania's 2nd Infantry Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, and Maj. Lucian Indolean of the Ministry of National Defense-International Affairs accompanied him.

"The Romanians are very interested in exploring how to start a National Guard or Reserve force to reduce their military costs," said Lt. Col. Shannon Hancock, State Partnership Program director.

The National Guard's State Partnership Program 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.

During their partnership, Alabama Guard members have been building a relationship with the Romanians, learning from and teaching each other.

The visitors received briefings and tours at several unit locations across the state, including 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]," Hancock said

"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."

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...