HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROMANIAN 86th AIR BASE OPEN HOUSE
The hopen house has included the latest-acquired Romanian F-16 fighter jets, the Canadian CF-188 Hornets and more.
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| Canadian CF-188 Hornet and Romanian MiG-21 LanceR flying in formation |
On October 14, the Romanian Air Force 86th Air Base (Baza 86 Aeriană) opened its doors to the public. The event was initially planned for August, but due to bad weather and operational reasons it was postponed twice.
The Air Base is located in Borcea, Călărași County, and it is currently the home of the 53rd Fighter Squadron equipped with F-16s, 861st and 862nd Fighter Squadrons equipped with MiG-21 LanceRs, and of the 863rd Squadron equipped with IAR-330L helicopters.
The 86th Air Base has become the most important Romanian air base with the introduction of new Fightin Falcon aircraft. It recently hosted a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the final three F-16 fighters and mark a milestone: thanks to it the RoAF can now complete the first F-16 Squadron.
The Air Base is located in Borcea, Călărași County, and it is currently the home of the 53rd Fighter Squadron equipped with F-16s, 861st and 862nd Fighter Squadrons equipped with MiG-21 LanceRs, and of the 863rd Squadron equipped with IAR-330L helicopters.
The 86th Air Base has become the most important Romanian air base with the introduction of new Fightin Falcon aircraft. It recently hosted a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the final three F-16 fighters and mark a milestone: thanks to it the RoAF can now complete the first F-16 Squadron.
Romania has signed a contract in 2013 with Portugal for 12 second hand F-16 A/B Block 15 MLU fighter jets to begin the Mig-21 replacement process. The first nine aircraft came into service between October and December 2016, while the last three were just delivered. Beside the 12 F-16s bought from Portugal, Romanian authorities intend to buy at least another 24 F-16s, possibly newer Block 50 ones, in at least two batches of 12.
During the open house, the public was able to admire a massive aerial demonstration of the Vipers through four-plane fly-by and tactical displays.
Portugal also participated in the event with an F-16 to mark the great collaboration between the two countries.
In addition to the F-16s, several Mig-21s took the sky in different formations, one of which featured two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188s. The Hornets are currently based at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport, located in south-east Romania, to ensure the Romanian Airspace in according to the NATO Air Policing Mission (More details here).
The day also included tactical events in the air and on the ground with the presence of helicopters and soldiers.
Written by Matteo Sanzani
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