Separate forces, one coalition
Story by Pfc. Blanka Stratford, CFLCC PAO
It is beyond a doubt that all foreign forces, in union with the United States, have made the Coalition Forces Land Component Command into one of the strongest alliances in world history. With their tremendous efforts and contributions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the international powers have worked to ensure the safety and well being of all peoples.
The 383rd Romanian nuclear-biological-chemical defense company is one of these powers.
Since the beginning of March, when the foremost Romanian detachment arrived at Camp Doha, Kuwait, with only 15 servicemembers, the 383rd NBC Co. had worked as an integral element of the Combined Joint Task Force Consequence Management team, an NBC emergency response organization that was also comprised of U.S., German, Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian and Kuwaiti.
With the arrival of its main body in April, the 383rd NBC Co. had become an even greater asset to CJTF-CM.
“As part of CJTF-CM, the 383rd NBC Co. has worked with chemical and nuclear reconnaissance devices and surveillance,” said Maj. Sever Buduca, chief liaison officer for the 383rd. “We have also performed [advanced] training for chemical, biological and radioactive decontamination of personnel and equipment.”
The scope of Romanian expertise in NBC response was shown in a presentation to Lt. Gen. Earl B. Hailston, commander of the Marine Forces Central Command. Hailston’s final analysis was that the 383rd was able to provide strong consequence management in the event that weapons of mass destruction were unleashed during combat operations, said Buduca.
"I was very impressed by the tremendous contribution the Romanian contingent made towards the success of CJTF-CM,” said Maj. Mark Cuttle, operations-in-training chief for CJTF-CM. “They were well-trained and well-prepared to respond to any possible WMD event that may have occurred."
Following the stand-down of CJTF-CM in May, the Romanian company was divided into smaller units, being distributed to CFLCC and the 377th Theater Support Command.
“Our staff officers work as a liaison team at CFLCC headquarters,” said Cpt. Cristian Nita, Romanian liaison officer for the 383rd NBC Co. “Most of the Romanians, however, are now working at the Ash Shuaybah [seaport of debarkation],”
At the SPOD, the Romanians provide services such as area security, force support and the final decontamination of equipment ready for redeployment, said Nita.
The Romanians have been working around the clock, rinsing hundreds of vehicles and containers with every redeployment ship that is loaded, said Buduca. So far, 25 vessels have been loaded for redeployment, each holding approximately 27 pieces of cargo.
“The Romanians continue to contribute to coalition efforts and have made a positive impact to the redeployment phase,” Buduca said. “Continuation of that effort is essential for success within the redeployment mission.”