A ceremony in honor of the Knighthood Order 'Virtutea Aeronautica' [Aeronautics Virtue] awarded to the Colors of the 90th Airlift Flotilla, Otopeni was organized on Friday, January 28, in the presence of the Chief of General Staff, Major General Stefan Danila. The ceremony was also attended by personnel of the Flotilla, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, Air Force Staff, former commanders of the unit and retired military personnel.

In his message to the 90th Airlift Flotilla personnel, the Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Oprea congratulated the troops saying 'The over 1500 air missions, translating into flights of over six million kilometers – equaling 150 journeys around the world – is an impressive business card. It stands proof of the special role this large unit, one of its kind in the Romanian Armed Forces, plays in accomplishing the pledges of our country as a NATO partner\'.

Minister Gabriel Oprea highlighted the contribution of the Flotilla crews and aircraft to humanitarian missions: 'We have to emphasize today the important role played by the air component in the Military Emergency Medical Service, in the many humanitarian missions that saved lives, often desperate cases, as well as the participation of the air forces together with their colleagues of the other services, in assisting the flood stricken population last year'.

MoND Press Office