The garrisons in Craiova and Caracal (southern Romania) put on a festive air while maintaining the utmost military rigor to mark the official visit of Colonel Carlos Afonso, commander of Portugal’s 14th Infantry Regiment.
Foto: Brigada Multinațională Sud-Est
Agenția Media a Armatei,
04.11.2026, 14:00
The event was more than a mere diplomatic meeting; it stood as a powerful reaffirmation of camaraderie and a shared commitment to securing NATO’s eastern flank.
For the 200 Portuguese soldiers deployed to Romania, preparations followed the strict routine of a tactical operation. “We prepared this visit the only way we know how: like a military operation,” explained the detachment commander, Major Filipe Pina. “As soon as we learned of the regiment commander’s visit, we began outlining several courses of action, which we submitted to both the visitors and higher echelons. The main objective was to showcase who we are, why we are here in Romania, and what our mission entails. To that end, we briefed our guests on the mission, showed them the living quarters and equipment, and demonstrated how we carry out our duties.”
Now on its ninth rotation in Romania, the Portuguese contingent maintains an intense operational tempo, though longing for home remains a constant challenge. For this reason, Colonel Afonso’s presence sparked great enthusiasm and boosted troop morale. “I am absolutely convinced that the impact of this visit is huge, not only for the deployed Portuguese force, but for the military as a whole. It was certainly a golden opportunity to highlight our core values and the vital importance of the armed forces,” Major Filipe Pina told us. The open atmosphere, constructive dialogue, and spirit of camaraderie made these days a true celebration of their national and military identity. The emotional bond runs particularly deep, as the contingent’s structure is rooted in the community of Viseu.
Colonel Carlos Afonso highlighted this unique connection: “40% of the soldiers we have here come from that locality—they were born there. The remaining 60% hail from other parts of Portugal, but spent about six months in Viseu, the regiment’s home station, training and preparing for this deployment.”
Asked what news he brought from home, Colonel Afonso replied: “The next contingent is currently in training and preparing to arrive; they are also benefiting from the lessons learned here. Tactics, techniques, and procedures are constantly evolving. Warfare is no longer as static as it used to be; therefore, we closely track all developments and challenges emerging in operational environments.”
Lessons identified during exercises in Romania are translated into standardized procedures applied directly to the training of future rotations. An experienced officer in the Portuguese Army, Colonel Carlos Afonso offered his troops advice for the second half of their mission: “First of all, keep up the great work, because you are doing very well. We know that in a six-month deployment, the transition between the third and fourth months is a critical moment. My advice is to approach things exactly as you did on day one: safety first. Those are my two key recommendations for my people.”
This visit demonstrates that collective defense within the Atlantic Alliance yields benefits that extend far beyond the purely military sphere. (VP)
