Special Operations Forces mark 20 years of activity

March 1st 2003 is an important day in the history of the Romanian Army, marking the establishment, in Targu Mures, central Romania, of the Special Forces 1st Battalion, the first special operations structure in the country. This year, the 20th anniversary of the Special Operations Forces was marked in an impressive ceremony, attended by over 400 military and 30 technical equipment, including military aircraft. A special moment of the ceremony attended by the prime minister, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the interior and defense ministers was the parachuting of the flags of Romania, NATO and of the Special Operations Forces. PM Nicolae Ciuca emphasized the role played by the Special Forces in guaranteeing national security and the fact that Romania succeeded in building special structures at the level of all categories of forces, being represented by professional military, with high combat skills, able to cope with any challenges.  

Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Marcel Ciolacu, highlighted the importance of the elite units, in the context of the war in Ukraine. ''I know that our Special Operations Forces are made up of highly trained military, professionals with impressive combat and leadership skills, most of them being parachutes, divers and mountain climbers, able to deal with any special situation'', Ciolacu said. I am proud that today Romania has modern units ready to respond rapidly and decisively to crisis situations and ensure the protection of citizens and of national interests. I say this especially because what is going on at our border,'' Ciolacu also said. This structure of the Romanian Army means power, determination and complex missions, Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr said, reminding that ''in the 20 years of existence, the Special Operations Forces also paid a painful blood tribute, as 6 elite military lost their lives in Afghanistan and others died in the country during training missions. Also, 19 of them were wounded in the theatres of operations. ''

You are a mature and efficient component of the Romanian Army, with a strong reaction capacity at strategic level, an interoperable structure, with tight connections with similar allied and partner structures'', Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Daniel Petrescu said in turn. Discrete, modest and highly efficient, the military of the Special Operations Forces serve their country with pride and professionalism, whenever and wherever they are needed, the Defense Ministry said in a communiqué. (EE)