SD National Guard firefighters deploy for 9 months in Romania

The South Dakota National Guard is deploying a contingent of firefighters for a nine-month mission in Romania.

The deployment, slated to begin in April, will include 36 members of the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Civil Engineer Squadron, according to a news release from the South Dakota National Guard.

The mission, known as Firefighter Exchange Program Romania, is a partnership between the U.S. and Romanian governments. The U.S. firefighters will work alongside Romanian counterparts at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Constanta, Romania for nine months, providing fire protection and emergency response services.

“The program is a great opportunity for South Dakota Air National Guard members to build relationships with foreign counterparts and to gain experience in an international environment,” said Lt. Col. Jason Krogman, commander of the 114th Civil Engineer Squadron, in the release.

The South Dakota National Guard has sent personnel to Romania as part of the Firefighter Exchange Program since 2008, as a way of improving international relationships and supporting the U.S. Air Force’s mission.

The 36 firefighters will be trained in technical and tactical firefighting, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services in order to effectively combat fires and respond to other emergencies.

The South Dakota Air National Guard firefighters will also gain from the experience, according to the release.

“The program provides an opportunity for the South Dakota Air National Guard firefighters to gain valuable experience and develop their skills in a different environment,” said Krogman.

The deployment is expected to last from April through December 2021.

The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Civil Engineer Squadron will deploy 36 members for a nine-month mission to Romania as part of the Firefighter Exchange Program, an international partnership between the U.S. and Romanian governments. During this deployment, the South Dakota personnel will work alongside Romanian counterparts providing fire protection and emergency response services at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Constanta, Romania.

The firefighters will be trained in technical and tactical firefighting, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services in order to effectively combat fires and respond to other emergencies. They will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop their skills in a different environment.

The deployment is intended to improve international relationships and support the U.S. Air Force’s mission. The South Dakota National Guard has been sending personnel to Romania as part of the Firefighter Exchange Program since 2008. This mission is slated to begin in April and continue until December 2021.

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Written by U.S. National Guard Staff