On invitation of the Fortele Aeriene Romane (The Romanian Air Force) we made a trip along some Air Bases. The trip by KLM B737 was very uneventful and we landed at a clouded Boekarest Int airport. On the opposite side is we could see the largest part of the Air Forces transport fleet. Knowing we would start there the next morning we did not pay to much attention to the interesting mix of Russian, American and Romanian build aircraft and helicopters. 

The first stop is the museum also situated on the Air port. A fine and interesting collection of aircraft. As it closes at three and we arrive ten minutes to three at  the gate it is very much locked. The soldiers present do not speak a word outside there native language but are very helpful explaining we are not going to get in. Pointing to there shoulders and pointing upwards blaming the man up in the chain of command. Not al is lost. There is a big army museum in the city itself. A lot of tanks but also a small collection of aircraft and helicopters.

Monday morning we present ourselves at the gate of Otopeni. The military side of Bucharest Int. airport. First a briefing on the airbase, the units and the mission. Much, as we will find out on the other air bases, is dedicated to the joining of NATO. Partnership for Peace and Partnership Goals take up important places in the briefings.

After the briefing we are allowed onto the platforms and hangars. Most of the aircraft are to be seen and photographed. Even though it is continuing to rain a lot of pictures are taken.

In the afternoon we are welcomed at Titu. Coffee and something to eat. After an hour journey at lunchtime on a cold wet day this is very welcome. By now we have seen something of Romania including our first horse pulled cart. We will get used to it.

At Titu a test flight of a Socat had been delayed for us so we can take some operational pictures. The different radar and communications stations situated on the air base are of an older War Pac generation. The Socat on the other hand is a modern and impressive weapons platform. IAR – Industria Aeronautica Romana S.A., the Romanian Aircraft Industry, has taken an older transport helicopter and build in into a high-tech and powerful weapon. IAR  has experience with this type as they are license build in Romania. The only other heavily armed Puma I have ever seen was in a Rambo movie.

We sleep in Bucharest and the next morning it is off to Fetesti, home of the once mighty Hong. We are treated to a line up of all kinds of trucks, radar trucks and anti-aircraft guns. At every vehicle there is someone to explain the use and function of it. Most important to us of course are the two MiG21’s, a Lancer A and C, and the H5 at the end.

A visit to the control tower is included and even a request to walk to a line up of Lancers is not a problem. We request to go to the Lancer B as it is the furthest away.

Not all goes well as Romania struggles to make the best of its air force and its funding. The only one of the Hongs that had been upgraded and overhauled crashed the previous year and thus ending that program. We were told we could take pictures of what was left of the aircraft. That we also stopped at the line up of the other H5’s was a very nice surprise. All in all a very hospitable morning.

Tomorrow Mihail Kogalniceanu . The air base were our guide is based. We can walk past the line-up of  MiG29’s. In advance of our visit the canvas covers have been removed. At that moment the MiG’s were awaiting an upgrade program. They had not been flown for almost a year. The Romanian Aircraft Industry Aerostar S.A has (again) designed its own update program for this type of aircraft named Sniper. A few weeks after we got home we heard there will not be an update and the aircraft are offered for sale.

Thursday we faced the biggest challenge of the trip. We had to cross Romania from east to west. Friday morning we were expected at Timisoara. Timisoara is the place to be if you like MiG23’s. From the start of the trip it was not clear whether we would be allowed near the stored Floggers or not. People had been on Timisoara before but had not been allowed near the line. We were very relieved to hear at the gate that the answer was yes. The air base commander did not speak any English but did his best to answer our questions and give us as much information as possible.

After a tour of the airbase and taking pictures of almost every aircraft present we started on the road back to Bucharest. It was a trip of 500 kilometres and we started at half past three. We arrived in our hotel at half past twelve. The last stretch is about 70 kilometres of reasonably good road and 100 km of freeway. This took us about two hours. Driving in the dark is not recommended.

Saturday  KLM home.

The tours had all been very well organized. The reception at every base was hospitable and we could ask for almost anything to take pictures of.

Romania has an interesting air force because of the mix of western and East block aircraft. Also there own updates, like the Socat and the Lancer make it different from other air forces. The impression this week left us was that the people in the air force haven the will and dedication to make something of it. Also Romania’s own aircraft industry has the capability. Financially there is a problem however. They are doing there best to make something of it.

When Romania was asked to provide troops for the mission in Afghanistan they immediately said yes. When the Americans asked what and how much they had to transport from Romania to Afghanistan the Romanians replied that they could do that perfectly well themselves. By placing the action by their words I am sure they have left a good impression of their dedication and capabilities.