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Nov 2 2021

Canadian fighters protect Romanian airspace

RAMSTEIN, Germany – The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has been flying their CF-188s out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania since early September supporting NATO's enhanced Air Policing.

The Canadian detachment consists of 170 personnel and six RCAF CF-188s over the past two months. Canadian and Romanian personnel have worked closely together as a team operating Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to carry out the NATO Air Policing mission. The detachment makes routine intercepts of unidentified or unresponsive aircraft over the Black Sea Region and allied territory to ensure the safety and protection of the airspace.

While deployed, the CF-188 Hornet aircrew also share best practices with their Romanian counterparts, resulting in enhanced interoperability when securing the Alliance's airspace

"We are proud to participate in cooperative defence activities in support of NATO enhanced Air Policing in Romania and to help NATO and Romania protect the integrity of NATO's airspace," said Lieutenant-Colonel Corey Mask, Commander Air Task Force-Romania. "We have six CF-188 Hornets deployed on this operation, and they are ideally suited for this mission. While deployed, the CF-188 Hornet aircrew also share best practices with their Romanian counterparts, resulting in enhanced interoperability when securing the Alliance's airspace," he added.

This is the sixth time the RCAF has deployed to support eAP, patrolling Allied airspace across Europe epitomising the strong transatlantic link of the Alliance. Their teams demonstrate NATO's solidarity, collective resolve, and its ability to adapt and scale its defensive missions and deterrence posture in response to the evolving global security situation. While highlighting the contribution made by Allies like Canada and Romania to the Air Policing mission.

On 1 November, international photojournalists boarded a flight from Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to document the fighters and crews stationed there. Events such as this offer the opportunity to see what a NATO operation looks like and what happens behind the scenes at this 24/7 NATO operation.

Romanian F-16s flew next to a cargo aircraft containing international journalists during a Media Day event on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base. Photo by Filip Modrzejewski, Foto Pork.

Canadian CF-188s flew next to a cargo aircraft containing
international journalists during a Media Day event on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base. Archive photo by Avr Avery Philpott, 4 Wing Imaging.
Canadian CF-188s flew next to a cargo aircraft containing
international journalists during a Media Day event on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base. Archive photo by Avr Avery Philpott, 4 Wing Imaging.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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