RAF Typhoons Cleared To Conduct Air Patrols Over Romania

Romanian Land Force Soldier on parade with an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon

Royal Air Force Typhoons based in Romania have been given the green light by NATO to conduct air patrols over Romania.

During a ceremony held at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in the south of the country, leading officials from NATO gave formal accreditation for the RAF Typhoons to commence NATO Enhanced Air Policing missions over the Black Sea.

The fast jets are bolstering the alliance's air defence along its eastern flank and will intercept any aircraft that strays into NATO airspace.

Lieutenant General Ruben C. Garcia Servert, of the Spanish Airforce, is controlling the air policing missions:

"Such deployments showcase the ability of the Alliance to interoperate, share and pool capabilities, and to adapt and scale our defensive deterrence posture.

The RAF deployment to Romania is part of the NATO ‘Enhanced Air Policing’ mission, where member states provide assistance to the Romanian Air Force’s own fleet of fast-jet aircraft.

OP BILOXI is the UK contribution to the NATO Southern Air Policing (SAP).

The UK Ambassador to Romania, Mr Paul Brummel, said:

“Such air policing missions ensure we would be able to rapidly and efficiently tackle any potential aggression or threat against the Alliance or its members.

"Furthermore, this year’s mission at Mihail Kogalniceanu has a special meaning, since it marks 100 years since the establishment of the Royal Air Force.”