Turkish F-16s Under NATO Command to Patrol the Skies over Romania
Turkish Air Force F-16s, under the command of NATO, will patrol the airspace in Romania alongside the Romanian Air Force, carrying out missions of enhanced air space surveillance under NATO command in Romania. This information was reported by the Romanian publication Hotnews, citing the Ministry of National Defense.
Four Turkish Air Force F-16s will participate in the airspace patrol, having already arrived at the 86th Air Base, "Lieutenant Aviator George Mociorniță," in the Romanian city of Borcea. The squadron, in addition to the aircraft pilots, includes around 80 military personnel, including technical staff responsible for aircraft maintenance.
According to Romanian officials, joint missions in airspace surveillance contribute to the development of response capabilities, strengthening operational compatibility between the Romanian and Turkish Air Forces.
Representatives of various NATO member countries participate in the enhanced airspace surveillance in Romania and the Black Sea region. Specifically, on September 22, four US Air Force F-16 fighters arrived at the Fetești airbase in Romania.
Acting NATO spokesperson Dylan White stated at that time that Russia continues its aggressive war against Ukraine, with NATO witnessing a series of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure very close to Romania's territory, one of the Alliance's member countries.
During attacks on infrastructure objects in southern Ukraine, Russian drones have fallen on Romanian territory several times, leading the Romanian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to expand the restricted flight zone near the Ukraine border.
The Gaze previously reported that the US Department of Defense actively participates in training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 flights and plans to provide spare parts for these aircraft.
The US State Department is ready to approve the transfer of US-made F-16 fighters to Ukraine through third countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. To ensure the successful operation of these F-16s in Ukraine, Ukrainian pilots undergo training in the United States and Europe, covering both flight operations and technical maintenance.
However, support for these F-16s will not cease after they are deployed in Ukraine. The availability of spare parts is crucial for their proper functioning, ensuring technical maintenance and continuous flights. The US is ready to provide Ukraine with such support.