SMARDAN, Romania - Sun Tzu once said, "The limit between disorder and order lies in logistics". A particularly important role for the successful execution of exercise Steadfast Dart 25, is being played by military logisticians and engineers. Even though the final execution phase of the exercise has not yet begun, Romanian and British soldiers in these two military specialities have been deployed to Smârdan Training Area, in Galați, Romania, where they are carrying out preparatory activities for the largest NATO exercise this year.
It is well known that behind every successful mission stands a strong team. This is being confirmed by the logisticians of these two nations, who meticulously handle all aspects of military equipment deployment, troop transportation, nutrition of the soldiers and accommodation arrangements. Alongside the logisticians, teams of military engineers are also providing support, working shoulder to shoulder to lay the groundwork for a successful exercise.
At the Smârdan Training Area, intense work is underway to build the facilities for the two bases where Romanian and British troops will be stationed. A great deal of effort is being put in. Logisticians and engineers from both nations collaborate closely to ensure that the soldiers involved in the exercise will have the necessary conditions they need, adapted to the operational environment. The ultimate goal is for Steadfast Dart 25 to meet all expectations.
Right now, we are setting up tents and preparing the accommodation spaces. We will prepare the spaces where the meals will be served, where the command headquarters will be, as well as carrying out other administrative activities.
Soldiers from the British and Romanian armies working hard together to prepare the base for the arrival of main body of troops
First lieutenant Luiza from the Romanian Army said “We have deployed an advanced group from the 15th Mechanised Brigade to set up the camp where our soldiers will be accommodated for the next 3 weeks. Right now, we are setting up tents, preparing the accommodation spaces. We will prepare the spaces where the meals will be served, where the command headquarters will be, as well as carrying out other administrative activities”. She continued “About 800 soldiers from the Romanian brigade will be accommodated in our camp. We will have two logistics modules, where there will be a dining room, two toilet containers and two shower containers. Behind these spaces will be the military vehicle park. Also, in the coming days, we will install a combat training ground for Military Operations in Urban Terrain, where the soldiers will be trained".
With construction taking place right behind the Romanian base, the personnel there have been keen to assist the teams from the UK and Romania, they loaned some of their equipment to unload the ISO containers being delivered to the training area.
"We came out in advance, and we've set up the field kitchen. We received
some of the vehicle fleet that came here on lorries, and we received all the ISO
containers containing our kit and equipment. Basically, what we are doing
is starting to build the base where we will operate from and then, when
the soldiers arrive, we will put them into the accommodation,
where they will sleep and show them where their vehicles are going to be parked” said WO2
Scott from the British Army.