Soldiers from the Johan Willem Friso barracks in Assen will leave for Romania in the first week of November to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. They will stay there for four months and relieve colleagues from Schaarsbergen, who will be the first Dutch troops to go to the country in August.
The 90 soldiers of the 11 Airmobile Brigade are staying at a base built by the Netherlands, France and Belgium near the village of Cincu, in central Romania. There they become part of an international battle group that has to defend NATO territory in the event of an attack.
Because of the war in Ukraine, NATO has decided to fortify its eastern borders, with the main aim of deterring Russia. In addition to Romania, new battle groups have therefore also been stationed in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Drenthe soldiers were also in Romania earlier this year, then only to practice together with NATO allies. Romania borders Ukraine and the Black Sea to the east. The military will also conduct regular exercises during the upcoming mission.
As soon as the four months of the soldiers from Assen are over, they are in turn relieved by a fresh company from the barracks in Schaarsbergen. In principle, the complete mission lasts twelve months, but can be extended if necessary.