In this handout photograph from the US Navy, US service members deployed to the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu, groups center and right, bow their heads with members of the Romanian Military, left, during a religious moment of the establishment and assumption of command ceremony in Deveselu, Romania, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. The NSF Deveselu Base, established more than 20 years ago, will be part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System. The US Navy has taken control of a new missile defense base in southern Romania, one of two European land-based interceptor sites for a NATO missile shield which Russia strongly opposes.(AP Photo/U.S. Navy / LT j.g. Alexander Perrien, Handout) (The Associated Press)
BUCHAREST, Romania – The U.S. Navy has taken control of a new missile defense base in southern Romania, one of two European land-based interceptor sites for a NATO missile shield which Russia strongly opposes.
The base at Deveselu is scheduled to be operational in 2015 as part of NATO's ballistic missile defense system.
"Ballistic missile threats to the U.S. and our allies are real and growing," said Rear Adm. John Scorby, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia on Friday.
"Fortunately, NATO's capabilities ... against these threats are also real and growing."
The system is the key component in President Barack Obama's plan for a phased deployment of a missile defense umbrella in Europe. Another missile base is scheduled to become operational in Poland by 2018.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
