US to Withdraw Troops from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania
Bucharest, Romania – October 29, 2023 – The United States has informed Romania of its decision to withdraw American soldiers stationed at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, according to reports citing sources within the Romanian ministry of Defense and confirmations from American and European officials. The move signals a potential shift in the US military posture in Eastern europe, though the full implications for regional security remain unclear.
The planned withdrawal affects over 1,400 US military personnel currently based at the Mihail Kogălniceanu facility, a key hub for American operations in the Black Sea region. While the timing and scale of the withdrawal are still being finalized, the decision comes as the Trump administration reportedly notified Western allies earlier this week. This progress raises questions about the future of US-Romania defense cooperation and the broader security landscape in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
As of April 2023, Romania hosted a total of over 1,700 US soldiers across multiple locations including Mihail Kogălniceanu, Deveselu, and Câmpia Turzii.At Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57,soldiers from the US Army’s 2nd Brigade,101st Airborne Division “Task Force Strike” had recently replaced the 3rd Brigade,10th Mountain Division “Task Force Patriot” on March 26th.
The Romanian Ministry of defense stated on april that it had not received any official notification regarding a potential withdrawal at that time. Further details regarding the withdrawal process and any planned adjustments to the US military presence in Romania are expected in the coming days.
