US Marine Infantry’s heavy weapons will be transported to Bulgaria, while transiting Romania. The Abrams main battle tanks, three howitzer artillery cannons and six light armored reconnaissance vehicles were first transported to Bremerhaven, Germany, and are accompanied by 160 Marines, according to a press release of the US Embassy in Bucharest.
The unit that is due to be deployed and based at the Novo Selo training area (near Sliven, Southeastern Bulgaria) will be part of the Black Sea Rotational Force, a semi-annual rotation of Marines and sailors. Novo Selo training area will be under the command of the US base in Mihai Kogalniceanu, Constanta.
The transport aims at proving the allies’ capacity to mobilize in order to support military operations during crisis time.
“The transportation of a Marine Corps combined arms capability in the Black Sea region has fostered improved communication and coordination with the allied force and its partners”, Lt Col John Sattely, director of logistics for US Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa said according to the press release.