Ceremony marks end of RAF's air policing mission in Romania
A formal ceremony has taken place in Romania to mark the end of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing’s (140 EAW) enhanced policing mission in the Black Sea region.
Personnel from the RAF, who have spent the last four months on the deployment, paraded alongside members of the Romanian Air Force at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in south-eastern Romania.
Seven members of 140 EAW were also recognised with the Romanian Air Force Emblem of Honour during the parade.
Typhoons from 3 (Fighter) Squadron and Romanian Air Force F-16s also conducted a flypast to mark the occasion.
Air Vice Marshal Robinson, Air Officer Commanding No 11 Group, attended the ceremony to thank the personnel for their contribution to the NATO operation and said the level of flying seen on the deployment "is an incredible achievement".
Watch: UK fighter jets watching Ukraine's Snake Island battle in real-time.
"Testament to the efforts of all those on parade, and the commitment, professionalism and dedication you have shown," he said.
"I thank you all and your families and loved ones at home for the support they provide to you.
"We've asked a lot from you and you have delivered."
Since the mission started in April, 140 EAW has flown over 325 sorties, totalling 850 hours of flight time - over three times more than any previous UK enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania.
Watch: Take a tour around a Typhoon FGR4.
The height of activity came in early May and saw Typhoons from 3(F) Squadron scramble 34 times, delivering 19 Close Air Support missions.
This totalled over 350 hours of flying in a 3-week period.
140 EAW will soon hand over the enhanced Air Policing responsibility to the Royal Canadian Air Force before returning to the UK.
It comes after a pilot deployed on the mission told Forces News observing the fighting between Ukraine and Russia "in real time" in the Black Sea region has been "eye opening" and a reminder the conflict "is pretty close to home".
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