Airforces

a more diverse set of scenarios.

“Our training schedule has not changed,”

observed Lt Col Marincas. “We continue

our training programme as before to

maintain our readiness and to prepare

new pilots that are coming in.

“Whenever there’s an overlap with the

RAF detachment’s training schedule

we try to make the most of it, but we

also have specific training missions that

we plan and perform with them.

“We train with them in various scenarios.

We send our more experienced pilots to

train with their younger pilots and they

do the same for us. We have a common

briefing and we do DACT BFM [dissimilar air

combat training, basic fighter manoeuvres],

from basic 1-v-1 to more complex scenarios.

“We’ve also been training with them

in other missions, close air support

with the US JTACs [ Joint Terminal Attack

Controllers], joint operations with

ships in the Black Sea and operations

with US helicopters in Romania. We’re

working with [the RAF] to strengthen our

relationship and to have a better common

understanding of how we all operate.

“Very small details matter and we

train to be able to make these details

clear. Everything from very small

differences in wording up to social

interaction helps create a stronger

bond and if it comes to performing joint

operations we’ll all be better off having

had these joint training missions.”

Wg Cdr Coe described the training between

the Typhoon and MiG-21 as “sensational”,

adding: “It’s great for the interoperability

between us. We’ve done some air-to-air

work with the Romanian Air Force Pumas,

the first time this has ever been done.

“We’ve done fighter affiliation training,

which means helicopters trying to evade

a fighter trying to shoot it down. The

Puma pilots as well as the Typhoon pilots

have had a great training exercise.

“Another thing we’ve been doing is

working with the Romanian Navy [in] a

maritime integration exercise. We’ve

had [their] Type 22 frigates out to sea

with a US ship, the USS Oscar Austin,

and our Typhoons and the MiG-21s, and

we’ve had a big operation all together.

“It was the first time we’ve done that and

we’ll do it a few more times during our

detachment here. It would be unwise to

miss the opportunity to train with Romania,

with whom we’re really good friends.”

Sqn Ldr Hanson noted the advantages

of having “fantastic” airspace and ranges

for training: “We’re going to be involved

in major exercises in the area with some

of the neighbouring countries. There’s

also the US Army, US Marine Corps

and US Air Force in the area and we’ve

been able to train with them too.

“These opportunities don’t present

themselves as much in the UK so it’s a

different style of training here, a different

emphasis, but very, very valuable.”

Expeditionary force

The 135 EAW has brought more than jets to

Romania: it’s designed to be able to deploy

to just about any airfield in the world, and

brings a range of personnel to do the job.

Wg Cdr Coe explained: “There are people

in Bucharest controlling the aircraft;

we’ve brought fire trucks to work with the

Romanian fire service, we have paramedics

and doctors working together and all of

a sudden we’re learning. Everybody is

working together, from the mechanics

on the ground up to the pilots.”

Meanwhile the pilots from the two nations

have discussed similar missions

and experiences. “When it comes to

intercepts we’ve made in the past, we don’t

discuss classified information at pilot level,

but we do discuss the experiences we’ve had

to deal with,” remarked Lt Col Marincas.

Paul Hanson added: “Although there are

some differences among what we’ve seen,

they’re pretty minor. On the whole our

experiences and reactions are the same.”

NATO AIRCOM is confident that Operation

Biloxi will strengthen the response against

air threats on its eastern border and

reaffirm NATO’s commitment to its allies.

“We’re convinced that the Royal Air Force

detachment will successfully contribute to the

safeguarding of Romania’s airspace integrity,”

the AIRCOM spokesperson declared.

“Their presence is sending a visible

signal of NATO’s commitment, solidarity

and resolve to the Romanian public

until their handover to the Royal

Canadian Air Force in September.”

Operation Biloxi began on May 1 and

will end on August 31. With several

large-scale international exercises

taking place on Romania’s ranges this

summer, there will be more opportunities

for both air forces to strengthen their

operational readiness even further.

Below: The sharp end of 135 Expeditionary Air Wing.
The RAF Typhoons will remain on duty in Romania
until August 31, after which the Royal Canadian Air
Force will assume QRA duties with CF-188s.

70 // SEPTEMBER 2017 #354 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com

ENHANCED AIR POLICING: ROMANIA

Hungary

Bulgaria

Moldova

Ukraine

Romania

Bucharest

Bucharest-Henri Coanda

Borcea-Fetești

Mihail Kogălniceanu

Câmpia Turzii

Boboc

Bacău

Serbia

Black Sea

AFM