Photo Information

A Romanian soldier fires an AT4 at a target with Marine from Black Sea Rotational Force 14 during Platinum Lynx 15. Marines and Sailors worked hand-in-hand with Romanian Land Forces during exercise Platinum Lynx 15 in Focsani, Romania. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young/released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young

Marines, Romanian partnerships during Platinum Lynx 15

14 Nov 2014 | Lance Cpl. Ryan Young Marine Corps Forces Europe

Marines and Sailors from the Black Sea Rotational Force, along with members of the Romanian Land Forces and 300th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, worked hand-in-hand during training events on exercise Platinum Lynx 15 in Focsani, Romania, Nov. 2-7, 2014.

Service members trained with their Romanian partners in patrolling, live-fire ranges and weapons familiarization classes. Marines and Romanian soldiers were eager to learn tactics, techniques and procedures from each other.

The patrol lanes integrated teams of Marines and Romanian soldiers to react to simulated enemy contact. Other Romanian soldiers acted as antagonist role players, attacking and creating situations for the patrols to respond to; antagonists would attack from across danger areas, different flanks, and set up improvised-explosive devices to test the patrols’ reaction to different situations.

Different weapons systems were utilized during the live-fire ranges, with service members from each military handing off weapons to each other to learn how they functioned.

“The training is good for us because we learned how to use different methods for our skill set,” said Capt. Mihai Moldovan, 280th Mechanized Battalion Fire Support Company commander.

Combat lifesaver, call for fire, personnel searching and detaining and range estimation classes were all taught to deepen the knowledge and familiarity between forces.

“The Romanians seemed thirsty for the knowledge, they paid attention and were very motivated in class,” said HM2 Andy Chanes, senior corpsman for Weapons Co., 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

Sporting events and shooting contests were also held between the two militaries, fostering brotherhood and competition.

The training provided at Platinum Lynx 15.3 continued to build upon the two countries established relationship of cohesion and interoperability, assuring a long-standing partnership between them.
Marine Corps Forces Europe & Africa