The US Navy officially took over the command of the Deveselu military base in South – Western Romania through a ceremony last Friday. John Scorby, Commander within Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

"Today's ceremony is an important milestone as we improve our ballistic missile defense capability in Europe," Scorby said, according to a statement of the US Embassy to Bucharest. "Our continued close work with our Romanian partners exemplifies how crucial our European allies are to building up NATO's overall ballistic missile defense system."

Captain Bill Garren assumed duties as the first Commanding Officer of NSF Deveselu. The military base at Deveselu is expected to be fully operational in late 2015.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: romania.usembassy.gov)