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Col. Ion Manci (right), senior national representative, Romania, presents the Honor Emblem of the Romanian Land Forces to Lt. Col. Brian Pierce, Forward Operating Base Delta garrison commander, during a ceremony at the Romanian contingent headquarters June 16. Manci also presented the award to Maj. Jennifer Finch, 41st Fires Brigade military intelligence officer-in-charge. Photo by Sgt. Allison Churchill

The Romanian contingent here signaled the end of their army’s operations in Wasit province with a ceremony at their headquarters building June 16.

The ceremony gave both the Romanians and U.S. Soldiers the opportunity to show appreciation for each other.

“We can say we have done a significant amount of work,” said Col. Ion Manci, Romanian senior national representative, who came to Forward Operating Base Delta for the ceremony. “Our achievement and success would not have been possible without the support of our American partners.”

The sentiment was echoed shortly after by Col. Dick Francey, 41st Fires Brigade and FOB Delta commander.

“You can go home and stand proud,” Francey told the formation.

Francey added that due to increased security in Iraq from the combined efforts of coalition forces and Iraqis “we’ve given Iraqis a chance” to turn their country around.

As thanks, the Romanians presented Francey with the Honor Emblem of the Romanian General Staff. They also presented Lt. Col. Brian Pierce, 41st Fires Bde., deputy commander and FOB Delta garrison commander; and Maj. Jennifer Finch, 41st Fires Bde., military intelligence officer-in-charge, with the Honor Emblem of the Romanian Land Forces.

Francey presented Col. Cornel Pavel, FOB Delta Romanian contingent commander, with a Rail Gunner Certificate of Appreciation. Certificates were given to the entire contingent.

The Romanians have provided intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicle support to FOB Delta since 2003. They are scheduled to depart in late July.

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Allison Churchill