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
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...