Joint Task Force-East

Kids Day event gives Romanian children a look at JTF-East

By Sgt. Aimee Millham
JTF-East Public Affairs

MK Airfield Administration Center, Romania – Joint Task Force East troops learned yesterday that helicopters, fire trucks and games are the way to a child’s heart. A day long event saw about 60 Romanian children from local schools tour Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield Administration Center to learn what Romanian and American troops do here.

“There were unique moments that the children will never experience anywhere else”, said Alexandrina Mirescu, a teacher at “Mihail Kogalniceanu” High School, one of the schools that had students at the event.

The tour took them through demonstrations by the base’s Air Force firefighters, Romanian and U.S. aviation assets, Air Force staff weather officer, and Romanian and U.S. military police. The day’s events ended in a basketball and volleyball game with several U.S. soldiers.

The event, hosted by the JTF-East public affairs office, was a multi-service, U.S. – Romanian operation intended to enhance ties with the community. “It is important to promote the military career and to develop close relations with the local community to demonstrate the benefits for both Romanians and Americans of having a U.S. presence here”, said Romanian Army Maj. Dragos Axinia, JTF-East public affairs officer. The JTF-East leadership hopes to host similar events in the future. “We consider ourselves part of the community, and in order to maintain that relationship we must reach out”, said U.S. Army Maj. Jennifer Johnson, JTF-East public affairs officer.

The feeling seemed mutual for the children.

“I would love to come again”, said Razvan Pascu, 15, whose favorite demonstration was the Blackhawk landing at the airfield here. He added that he hopes to maybe work here one day as a service member.

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