The European Training Center for F-16 aircraft is currently being inaugurated. The event takes place at the 86th Air Base "Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociornita" in Fetesti. Authorities and diplomats of the states involved in the creation of this center, the United States, the Netherlands and Romania, are participating.

It will be an extremely important unit, as the head of the new Training Center declared: "Unique in Romania is the fact that there are at least three countries, meaning Romania, Lockheed Martin, which belongs to the United States of America, as well as to the partner that provides the aircraft. At the same time, among the instructors there may be other nations, all NATO members, former military pilots, who will be part of this center. It is important in the current context, because we give a signal that we are united, we give a signal that we are all in the same boat and we give a signal that 'we stand together'."

According to the RRA correspondent, Luisa Rosetti, the new unit will be an international center for the training of F-16 pilots, both Romanian pilots and those from partner states, including Ukraine. The Romanian Ministry of Defense made the air base and training facilities available. The planes come from the Dutch Air Force, while the instructors and maintenance are provided by the American company Lockheed Martin. Currently, the Romanian Air Force operates a full squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcons and will soon receive another 32 F-16 aircraft from Norway.

Translated by: Radu Matei

SOURCE: Radio România Actualități