RAMSTEIN, Germany - Four Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighters landed at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in the Southeast of Romania on March 30 to support NATO's enhanced Air Policing in the South.
The deployment is a pre-planned UK operation which seeks to reinforce our commitment to European security, highlighting that NATO remains ready to counter any threat within the region.
The RAF deployment, called Operation Biloxi by the UK military, will see the Typhoons forming a crucial part of the existing reinforcement of NATO's posture across eastern Europe; they are joining an Italian Typhoon detachment that has been in Romania since December 2021. The Allied mission provides a unique opportunity to improve the UK's interoperability with regional Allies whilst part of a multinational combat capable force operating alongside Romanian and other Allied aircraft in the region.
On the arrival of the Typhoons, Wing Commander Dutch Holland, Officer Commanding 140 EAW, was present to watch the aircraft arrive and welcomed the pilots alongside Romanian Air Force Colonel Eduart Dodu, Commander of Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base.
Four Royal Typhoons taxiing at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. Photo by UK Royal Air Force
The Typhoons are forming a crucial part of the existing reinforcement of NATO's posture across eastern Europe. Photo by UK Royal Air Force
Romanian Base Commander, Colonel Eduart Dodu (left) talking to Wing Commander Dutch Holland (right) after the arrival of the Typhoons. Photo by UK Royal Air Force
"140 EAW forms a key part of the UK's contribution to NATO enhanced Air Policing within the Black Sea region which will involve us operating closely with out NATO partners throughout the deployment," Wing Commander Holland said. "The deployment is a pre-planned UK operation which seeks to reinforce our commitment to European security, highlighting that NATO remains ready to counter any threat within the region," he added.
Personnel from across the RAF and British Army have been deployed in Romania since early March as part of 140 EAW in preparation for the Typhoons' arrival. This deployment also offers them an opportunity to represent the RAF in support of key Romanian public engagement events.
"It's a privilege to command a team of skilled RAF and British Army personnel who enable us to fulfil our purpose and effectively co-operate with our NATO Allies," said Wing Commander Holland.
The present deployment is the fourth time that the RAF has deployed to Romania to undertake NATO enhanced Air Policing. Previous deployments were in 2017, 2018 and 2021. The mission was instated in 2014 as NATO's response to Russia's annexation of Crimea. At this time of the worst military aggression in Europe for decades, the Alliance and all Allies are continuing efforts to bolster their military posture along the eastern flank shielding the region from potential aggression.