US Air Force will step up its missions in Romania
"I anticipate several air forces that will rotate in the future in Romania", said General Tod Wolters, Commander, US Air Forces Europe and Africa.
16 Martie 2018, 13:48
US Air Force will step up its missions in Romania, same way it has over the recent years, US Air Force Commander in Europe and Africa, General Tod Wolters, said on Thursday in a telephonic press briefing, organized by the US Department of State.
In the context of Russia’s recent actions in northern and eastern Europe, General Wolters said that the United States Air Force continues to closely follow Russia's actions in this area, including by stepping up missions in the Baltic Sea airspace. Both multi-purpose but also research and recognition aircraft are involved. Russian Air Force's actions have not intensified much, but they have not diminished either”. “US Military Aviation, along with NATO air policing missions, has monitored all of these activities that accounted as regular for 95% of the time", he said.
RRA Military Reporter Radu Dobrițoiu has asked General Wolters if in the near future there is the wish for a permanent rotational presence of the United States Air Force on the Romanian territory, at Mihail Kogălniceanu Military Base near the port of Constanța at the Black Sea.
General Tod Wolters: "Our relationship with the Commander of the Romanian Air Force is very strong. We congratulated the new Commander, [Brigadier-General Viorel Pană, Commander of Romania’s Air Force, n.a.] for his appointment.
You can anticipate that the rotational presence with our U.S. Air Force assets will continue to increase in Romania as they have over the course of the last several years, and just as you pointed out, the wonderful Air Base that you have, MK, that’s in the far eastern side, I anticipate more exchanges with our rotational forces there over time.
We’re very, very excited to work with your Air Force. We’re very, very impressed with the improvement of your F-16 capability, and we certainly look forward to seeing all the wonderful things that will occur with the Air Force and with your Armed Forces with respect to the utilization of the Patriot missiles.".
General Todd Wolters is responsible for the activities of the United States Air Force in 104 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, but also in the Atlantic, Indian and Arctic Oceans.
Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei
