U.S. Marine tanks, artillery, and light-armored reconnaissance vehicles have arrived in Bulgaria to support NATO allies and international partner countries. The heavy equipment, assigned to the Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, arrived in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, Aug. 25, 2015. The tanks, artillery, and light armored reconnaissance vehicles were loaded on trains and moved across Europe demonstrating our allies’ and international partners’ ability to move heavy equipment across the region to support operations during a crisis. The equipment will allow the Marines to participate in mechanized regional multinational exercises in Eastern Europe.
US, Romanian and Bulgarian Forces Conduct Multilateral Exercise
3:22 PM1/14/2016
U.S. Marines with the Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force familiarize Bulgarian Soldiers with the M-777 Howitzer artillery cannon during Platinum Lion 16-2 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, Jan. 7, 2016. Exercise Platinum Lion increases readiness and demonstrates our collective ability to operate as a single force committed to protecting the sovereignty of NATO allies and other European partners. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released)
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Gordon Kwei, anti-tank missile man with Weapons Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, fires the tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile (TOW), while Staff Sgt. Wayne Edmiston, combat correspondent with Black Sea Rotational Force, records it during the combined anti-armor team sustainment training for Exercise Platinum Lion 15-3, July 8 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. The Marines launched 10 TOW missiles fired from M41 Sabers mounted to the turrets of Humvees. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force and service members from Bulgaria, Romania, the United Kingdom and Albania are conducting the two-week exercise to promote regional cooperation and foster interoperability in order to combat security threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Sarah E. Burns)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Steven Mashburn, a squad leader with Black Sea Rotational Force, right, holds the American flag during the opening ceremony for Exercise Saber Strike at the Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, June 8, 2015. The exercise brings NATO and other partner nations together for a multilateral training event designed to promote regional stability and security, strengthen partnerships, and foster trust. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
U.S. Marine MV-22B Ospreys from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa departed Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, with a platoon of Marines from the Black Sea Rotational Force to support a multilateral training exercise during Platinum Eagle 15, May 26, 2015. The Ospreys left Morón Air Base, Spain, earlier in the week, and arrived to work with their allies from the Bulgarian and Romanian armed forces. The Ospreys delivered the Marines to the Babadag Training Area, where they demonstrated their ability to conduct security operations. The training represents the first time Ospreys have conducted multilateral training in Romania, where members of BSRF have established a growing relationship with partner Romanian forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force fire a FGM-148 Javelin at Babadag Training Area, Romania, May 19. U.S. Marines, Romanian and Bulgarian service members trained in the use of anti-armor weapon systems on the opening day of Platinum Eagle 15. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Smith)
