Press Release
☷Garrison employee rocks host nation job with help from Freddie Mercury
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
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Oana Copaceanu stands in front of the Army Support Activity - Black Sea headquarters at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base , Romania , April 28 . The Army hired Copaceanu to serve as the host - nation advisor here in April 2021 and she ' s met challenges like the COVID - 19 pandemic , massive multinational exercises , and the current operations in support of NATO efforts . She ' s the "human bridge" for relations between the United States and the Romanian government here . MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE , ROMANIA - - When it comes to keeping up relations between Americans and Romanians here each day , we can all thank Freddie Mercury and Jim Morrison for the employee who helps make it possible . Oana Copaceanu became the host - nation advisor for Army Support Activity - Black Sea , Romania , in April 2021 . As host - nation advisor , she serves as the human bridge between her country and the United States , advising the ASA - Black Sea garrison commander , US units , the Royal Air Force , and others deployed here . She is also a consistent point of contact for Romanian politicians , civic leaders , and the local Romanian population . Now a year into her service with the garrison , Copaceanu’s role as both host - nation adviser and public affairs representative is expanding thanks , in part , to a garrison teeming with deployed troops from several different countries . That is a challenge she welcomes . “I want to make a difference , ” she said . “That’s really important to me . ” She recently helped organize a soccer tournament in the local area with US , Romanian , UK , and other teams that drew more than 400 players and 200 spectators . She worked alongside the RAF , Red Cross , and other Army Soldiers to build a first - of - its - kind Easter Egg hunt for about 65 Romanian children and their families . She also eases the burden of mundane tasks for permanent party staff like registering cars , sorting out utility bills , and finding housing . Each day , more than a few people walk into her office and ask questions only she , as the host - nation expert , can answer . Break on through Copaceanu grew up in Constanta , the largest port on the Black Sea and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania . In 1989 , at age 12 , the Romanian Revolution changed her life and the lives of millions of other Romanians forever . In the chaos of the following years , the country evolved around her , becoming part of NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007 . She evolved as well , learning to speak English by first listening to music by Queen , the Doors , and others on cassette tapes . She also gained language knowledge by reading through motorcycle magazines and watching documentaries narrated by David Attenborough . “I had this little dual cassette player and would play the cassettes over and over . I would write down and spell out how I thought the lyrics went to all their songs in a notebook . That’s the primary way I learned English , ” she said . "I had this little dual cassette player and would play the cassettes over and over . I would write down and spell out how I thought the lyrics went to all their songs in a notebook . That’s the primary way I learned English" - - Oana Copaceanu As her English skills grew , so , too , did her curiosity . She finished high school , studied in Bucharest , then earned a degree in English from the University of Constanta , writing her final thesis about Saul Bellow’s last novel , Ravelstein . She had stints with a German shipping company in Hamburg , the Constanta county council , and served as a volunteer for the European voluntary service in Poland . Before landing here some years later , she served as a translator and simultaneous interpreter for a US Army exercise . “I’ve always been curious , ” she said . “I think that’s helped me grow into every role I have had in my career , and I think that helps the organization in positive ways . ” Busy times at MK Host - nation relations have been crucial during several extensive military exercises and the COVID - 19 pandemic , helping American officials understand host - nation measures and policies . Today , with more than 2 , 000 troops on the ground and daily operations buzzing , Copaceanu said the busy pace of the garrison has allowed her to grow her professional portfolio . “Oana’s role with the garrison has become more important as our team wants to know what the community is saying and how they feel about what’s happening here at MK , ” said John Strader , garrison executive officer . "Oana’s role with the garrison has become more important as our team wants to know what the community is saying and how they feel about what’s happening here at MK" - - John Strader , MK executive officer Busy garrison operations have also allowed her to grow her public affairs skills , writing more stories and advising on issues with local and regional media members . She’s connected Garrison Commander , Lt . Col . Jeremy McHugh , with the local community through personalized video messages in English and Romanian . And without songs like We are the Champions and Riders on the Storm , she wouldn’t be here . “Oana has helped open up doors and connected us more closely with our Romanian partners , ” McHugh said . “Without her on our team , we wouldn’t be able to accomplish many things we do from day to day . ”
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