Home  /  Newsroom  /  2024  /  Integration training of Finnish and Romanian Air Force displays Allied interoperability

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania – Finish and Romanian fighter aircraft conducted flying training missions with a Romanian C-130 transport aircraft on the Black Sea shores demonstrating close integration and cooperation.

Since 2014, for ten years now, Allied fighter detachments have deployed to the Black Sea region in a display of Allied cohesion and solidarity. 

Deployed to Romania for NATO Air Policing and Air Shielding, the Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets fly training missions with Allies almost every day. In a special event the Finnish pilots practiced intercept and escort manoeuvres with their Romanian colleagues.

For the first time since Finland joined NATO in 2023, Finnish F/A-18 fighters are deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near Constanța for two months demonstrating their support to NATO enhanced Air Policing. Photo courtesy Finnish Air Force. 

A Romanian C-130 transport aircraft enable intercept and escort training for the Finnish and Romanian fighter jets enhancing pilot skills and interoperability. Photo by Bogdan Pantilimon. 

Romania employs their fleet of F-16 fighters from Borcea Air Base for NATO Air Policing over the country. Allied fighter jets like the Finnish F-18s fly alongside them demonstrating NATO cohesion and commitment. Photo courtesy Finnish Air Force. 

NATO introduced the defensive air mission in Romania and Bulgaria in 2014 as a response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. For ten years now, Allied fighter detachments have been deployed to the region in a display of Allied cohesion and solidarity. The goal of the mission is to demonstrate the collective resolve of Allies and to deter aggression or the threat of aggression against NATO Allies on the Black Sea.