The 81st 'General Grigore Balan' Mechanised Brigade of Bistrita marked on Friday, in an official setting, 107 years since its establishment, an occasion on which the contribution of its soldiers on NATO's eastern flank was highlighted.
Alongside the current leadership of the unit, the event was attended by former commanders, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division Gemina, Bogdan Cernat, and soldiers from the Dej, Turda, Arad, Baia Mare and Prundu Bargaului sub-units.
Local authorities attending the event included Prefect of Bistrita-Nasaud County Teofil Cioarba, Vice-President of the County Council Daniel Tamas, Deputy Mayor of Bistrita Stefania Stere, as well as heads of institutions in the fields of defence, public order and security.
Commander of the 81st Mechanised Brigade Ciprian Balica spoke in his address about the contribution of the soldiers under his command on NATO's eastern flank, which demonstrates 'the ability to operate in an integrated, efficient and coherent manner alongside allies.'
'In the current regional security context, our contribution is just as important. The brigade's soldiers are actively participating in the allied deterrence effort through deployment within the NATO Battle Group in Poland and, in the coming period, in the one in Slovakia. The presence of the 81st Mechanised Brigade on the eastern flank demonstrates Romania's firm commitment to collective defence and our ability to operate in an integrated, efficient and coherent manner alongside allies. A defining moment in our recent trajectory was 2023, when, following the CREVAL-type evaluation, the brigade was certified in accordance with NATO standards and declared Mission Ready'. This result was possible due to sustained work, discipline, leadership and the team spirit that define us. The history of the brigade is written by people, by the men and women who served before us, by those who serve today and by those who will carry this flag forward. The sacrifices of our predecessors oblige us to be better, better prepared and more responsible,' Balica said.
At present, the 81st Mechanised Brigade numbers over 3,000 soldiers and is due to undergo a NATO recertification procedure next year.
As part of Friday's official ceremony, promotions in rank took place along with a Drill Team demonstration by the 'Transylvanian Dragons' from Dej, and the event concluded with a parade of personnel and an exhibition of equipment and technology.
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