US Sends F-22 Warplanes To Support Romania From Russian Threat
April 27, 2016
The jets landed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, near the Black Sea port of Constanta in southeastern Romania.
Two F-22s and approximately 20 supporting Airmen, with the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on the on April. 25.
The Raptors deployed to RAF Lakenheath, England, earlier this month, and will continue training in Europe until May.
The deployment comes as U.S. commanders are re-evaluating the military's role and responsibilities in Europe with Russia's resurgence prompting Washington to rethink the number of troops in Europe in order to counter what Washington regards as possible threat by Moscow. The deployment is partially funded with the European Reassurance Initiative, which seeks to support allies increasing wary of Russian Federation,
according to the release.
USAF Europe and Air Forces Africa commander General Frank Gorenc
said: "It's important we test our infrastructure, aircraft capabilities, and the talented Airmen and allies who will host these aircraft in Europe". They are part of the Operation Atlantic Resolve, a USA commitment to NATO's collective security and regional stability.
The conflict has left neighbouring countries in eastern Europe concerned over future Russian aggression in the region.
The men behind the exercise, taking smartphone pictures of their planes and handing out badges and uniform patches to local Romanian crews, know their job is not to lock horns with President Vladimir Putin's pilots, but to keep their North Atlantic Treaty Organisation friends happy.
US Ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, said the US and Romania were seeking to improve ties, telling
Sky News that there needed to be better security in south eastern Europe "as a result of the aggression by Russian Federation that has brought so much instability to this part of the world over the past two to three years".
Major General Laurian Anastasof, Romania Air Force chief, has voiced concerns about Russia's intentions in the region.
On Monday, the Pentagon deployed a pair of F-22 fighter jets to southeast Romania in an effort to deter hypothetical Russian aircraft.
US Defense Department officials have, in recent weeks, expressed their belief that Russian Federation is actively implementing a potentially effective strategy aimed at blocking NATO's ability to patrol freely the air, sea and ground security perimeters belonging to its constituent members.
