Captain Commanders Andrei Constantin and Catalin Miclos became the first Romanian pilots to fly an F-16 Fighting Falcon, on Wednesday, November 26. The flight took place during the training course for the passage to flying F-16 aircraft, at the 5th Air Base in Monte Real, Portugal.

The two pilots come from the 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii, having over 15 years of flying experience, with over 1,100 flight hours each, 900 of which on MiG-21 LanceR aircraft. Along their careers, the two officers participated in national and international missions and exercises, among which the NATO-led Air Police mission 'Baltica 2007' and annual exercise 'Dacian Viper', 'Air Solution', 'Blue Danube' and 'Dacian Flag'.

The Romanian Air Force detachment that attends the training course for the passage to flying on an F-16, at the 5th Air Base of Monte Real, Portugal, consists of 23 troops, officers and Warrant Officers. At present, there are three pilots that accomplish the passage to flying an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The two years-long training program is going to have several sessions and includes the training of 80 personnel, nine of which are pilots.

MoND Press Office