Romania Inaugurates F-16 Pilot Training Hub For NATO Allies And Ukraine

Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft fly over the inauguration of an F-16 training facility at the Baza 86 military air base, outside Fetesti, Romania, on November 13.

The facility in southeast Romania aims to increase interoperability between NATO allies and better position the military alliance “to face the complex challenges” in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, Romania's Defense Ministry said.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said at the opening, "The next step is that training will start with Romanian crews, pilots and crews, and of course, planning ahead, also for Ukraine."

The U.S.-made warplanes will be supplied by the Royal Netherlands Air Force while the aircraft maker Lockheed Martin will provide instructors and maintenance at the training center.


 

A Dutch Air Force F-16 is shown to the media during the inauguration.

Ollongren said the training center hopes to welcome Ukrainian pilots and crew as soon as possible. 
 

A Romanian serviceman walks by a logo on a hangar door at the air base.

In August, the United States approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training was completed. 

Romanian Air Force pilots sit inside a training room. Seven pilots began their training at the center on November 13.

Ollongren said European allies had to keep supporting Ukraine and they could not "afford any fatigue" regarding the war. "We must increase our efforts, we must continue our support to Ukraine in every possible way," she said.

A Romanian Air Force pilot with the call sign "Red" poses for the media during the inauguration.

Ollongren also welcomed a proposal by EU High Representative Josep Borrell to create a fund with up to 5 billion euros a year over four years to bolster Ukraine, which diplomats last week said was meeting resistance by European countries.

Over 4,600 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Ukraine has actively sought the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian air superiority.

A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter plane flies above the air base.

Romania, which has been a NATO member since 2004, has ramped up its defense spending while NATO has bolstered its presence on Europe's eastern flank by sending additional multinational battle groups to alliance members Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.