Over 250 airmen of the U.S. Air Force, with six F-16 fighter jets, together with around 200 Romanian military personnel, pilots and technical staff, with MiG-21 LanceR aircraft from the Air Base 71st, will participate, April 10 to 17, in the Romanian-American joint drill “Dacian Viper 2014,” which will take place at the Campia Turzii military airfield.
Photo credit: (c) Lucian TUDOSE / AGERPRES ARCHIVE
“The main goal of the drill is to increase the preparation level by training in a multinational environment, developing cooperation and improving interoperability between the armies of some NATO member countries, as well as practicing the techniques, tactics and procedures jointly with the American partner,” informs a National Defence Ministry (MApN) release issued for AGERPRES.
The six American F-16 warplanes that will participate in the war game are part of Squadron 31st from Aviano Air Base, Italy.
“The drill was planned before the current events in Ukraine. Its aim is to increase interoperability and the training level for combined aerial operations, including air to air, air to ground and the training for air traffic controllers for joint tactical operations. This drill is the most recent illustration of the high level of military cooperation existing between the two countries and reflects the strength of our partnership with Romania,” reads a U.S. Embassy press release for AGERPRES.
“Dacian Viper,” now at its 4th edition, was also held at the Air Base 71st at Campia Turzii in 2006, 2008 and 2012. Its main objective was the joint training of pilots, technical staff, air traffic controllers and staff officers under real conditions, for planning and carrying out some flight missions in mixed formations, but also with joint Romanian-American crews.
According to the MApN, the war game was planned a year before its taking place and it is included in the plan of main activities of the Romanian Air Force Staff.AGERPRES
