The United States continues to move its military assets in Europe, in the face of tension on the continent due to the war between Ukraine and Russia. Last Friday (29) the US Air Force in Europe (USAFE) deployed six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters in Romania.
The aircraft of the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) were transferred from Aviano Air Base in Italy and are now operating from the Romanian base of Fetesti.
The six planes are replacing a detachment of the 480th EFS, also F-16 fighters, from the Spangdahlem base in . These aircraft had been in Romania since 14/02, participating in NATO's Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) missions in the Black Sea region, ing forces from Italy, the United Kingdom and Romania itself.
"The continued presence of US F-16s in the Southeast region ensures mission-critical air policing capability and strengthens NATO's collective readiness," said General Jeff Harrigian, commander of USAFE. "Our ability to operate side-by-side with our regional allies bolsters our collective defense and interoperability across the eastern flank."
Airmen from the 510th EFS will continue the mission of the 480th EFS and will work closely with the Italian Eurofighter Typhoons that have been protecting the skies of that region since December 2021, highlights USAFE.
After Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO implemented safeguard measures aimed at ensuring regional stability and securing Allied countries. Central to this effort is the eAP, which demonstrates NATO solidarity, collective determination and the ability to scale defensive missions in response to an evolving security situation.
NATO was already reinforcing its eastern flank even before the start of hostilities between the Russians and the Ukrainians, which is already approaching three months.
Now, a range of assets – including fighter jets, helicopters, troops and intelligence platforms – are present in Eastern Europe to maintain its defense posture in that region.
