Troops belonging to the Romanian Air Force will perform an unprecedented mission from 1st April to 1st August 2006, consisting of Kabul International Airport (KAIA) overtaking in the name of Romania, as lead nation. The first Romanian troops contingent took off to Afghanistan in the evening of 21st March, on board of a C-130 Hercules aircraft, from 90th Airlift Base, followed by a second one, on 26th March 2006.
On 30th March 2006, Romanian Air Force took over the Kabul International Airport (KAIA), in Afghanistan, from Hellenic Air Force. The ceremony was presided over by the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan Deputy Commander (ISAF), Major General Hans-Werner Ahrens.
The command change was marked by Afghanistan, Greece and Romanian Anthems toning up and KAIA flag overtaking by Colonel Marinescu, the representative of Romanian Air Force, within a military parade. With this occasion, the outgoing and in charge Commander, Colonel Konstantinos Prionas and respectively Colonel Adrian Marinescu, presented addresses.
Colonel Adrian Marinescu, KAIA Commander, speech:
"Minister, Generals, dear guests,
I am proud to be part of the COMKAIA family which has had the privilege to conduct with honor the activity of this airport,
to develop cooperation with local authorities and servicemen and women from a multinational environment supporting the
peace and security in Afghanistan.
We will implement managerial methods with positive impact over the efficiency and capacity to face with demanding tasks,
intensive missions and professional training, to create a paramount importance of safety as a vital reality for success of
ISAF operations.
We came here as a group of 39 people able from the very beginning to prove their skills and commitment and what is more
important dedicated to the framework principle posted in key positions throughout the airport including: Air Traffic
Control, Air Ops, Flight Safety, Supply, Logistics, Communications and CATO.
Romania currently has over 700 servicemen and women in Afghanistan.
During the hand-over preparation period we realized once again the importance of KAIA activity as a Gateway to the World,
where the multinational, cultural, ethnic and religious entities are living in a community with "No Problems but just
Solutions".
The reconstruction of the airport, the optimization of common airspace by providing effective air traffic control
capability, Move to the North Plan is our challenge to be part of the future reflecting our optimistic approach."
The 39 Romanian troops will staff positions in the airport administrative and command structure, performing their activity within ISAF (International Assistance Security Force), being under NATO operational command. During four months, the Romanian detachment will perform missions concerning airport command, daily air operations coordination, take-offs and landings control, air traffic monitoring in the area, weather conditions analysis and prognosis, communication apparatus maintaining in functional parameters, as well as logistic support of airport operations.
Romanian troops will develop their activity within a multinational environment, subordinating and collaborating with other NATO members' troops. The cultural diversity, linguistic variety as well as long distance from home mean real touchstones for the ones who assume the responsibility to serve their country from thousand of kilometers.
Their mission is not easy at all. It is estimated that they will coordinate over 15000 aircraft movements concerning more than 35000 persons airlift and more than 15000 m3 cargos, in an unfavorable geographic environment. Kabul airport lies in an area surrounded by mountains, which makes take-off and landing very difficult. More than this, sand storms render more difficult the pilots and those responsible of flies' coordination and surveillance activity. Last but not least, nobody must forget that there is a war area, with many and unconventional threats.
Despite all these difficulties, the Romanian troops' mission in Afghanistan is a proper occasion to prove their professionalism in a place called "the door to the world, where there are no problems, but solutions only".
COMMANDERS OF KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DURING ISAF OPERATIONS:
