The U.S. ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, on Friday participated in a graduation ceremony of the first class of Romanian pilots trained at the European F-16 Training Center at Borcea, urging it to open up to Ukrainian soldiers as well.
„We look forward to Romania opening up training to other regional allies and partners, especially Ukraine,” the diplomat said.
She added that the center is remarkable not only for being the first of its kind in Europe, but also for being a tangible example of the fruits of partnership and collaboration between allies.
In this regard, she said that The Royal Dutch Air Force has provided 14 F-16s to date.
” Their agreement with Romania to operate the Dutch aircraft from a Romanian base and conduct training in Romanian airspace was a key milestone on the path to where we now find ourselves – with a new group of trained F-16 pilots. Today’s event is one more example of Romania’s determination is to be a leader in collective defense and security in the Black Sea region – in this case with the potential to enable air and air defense capabilities far beyond their borders as future classes of pilots are trained and join the ranks of NATO’s airmen,” she added.
Regarding the graduates, Kavalec said that throughout this course of instruction, the pilots have learned not only to operate an advanced fighter jet, but how to employ it as a team in formations while executing modern air-to-air and air-to-surface tactics. According to her, the growing cadre of F-16 pilots in Romania turns the country into „an even more critical contributor to deterrence and defense in the air domain on NATOs eastern flank.”
She also mentioned the efforts of the American company Lockheed Martin to sustain the training center.
„I would also like to highlight the efforts by Lockheed Martin and its partner companies to create and sustain the training center, by providing first-class instruction, maintenance, and sustainment of the aircraft, and everything else that goes into maintaining a successful flying operation.’
AGERPRES
