Following a decision issued this morning by the National Committee for Emergency Situations, two Romanian Air Forces C-27 J Spartan aircraft configured for fire extinction and a C-130 Hercules aircraft configured to provide logistic support are ready to act in support of the disaster response forces from the Republic of Slovenia, which has been affected by the forest fires over the last few days.


The C-27 J Spartan aircraft will take off today, 23 July, around 13.00, from 90 Airlift Base, the C-130 aircraft being scheduled to take off from the same air base on Sunday, 24 July.


The Romanian Air Forces' aircraft are operated by almost 30 military pilots, navigating and auxiliary personnel.

Taking into consideration the serious situation several European countries go through because of the forest and vegetation fires, Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Department for Emergency Situations, as National Point of Contact, notified its European partners with regard to Romania's support availability. Also, Romania specified the need of disaster response force and means offered by our country by means of the CECIS Information System dedicated portal (Common Emergency Communication and Information System) of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Journalists interested in attending the C-27 J Spartan aircraft taking off (estimated to take place at 13.00) will be expected at the entrance of the 90 Airlift Base from 1 Zborului Street Otopeni, starting 12.00. Point of contact: Commander Mihai Albu, tel. 0722.734.412.

Also, the MoND will broadcast live on its official Facebook page and will distribute video images with the aircraft taking off.

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It is the third such international mission performed by the Romanian Air Forces, the first taking place in July 2018, in Greece, the second being performed in August 2021, in North Macedonia.

The C-27 J Spartan aircraft, configured for fire extinction, which can carry up to 6,000 liters of water (six containers) at each flight, have also acted from 2017 up to present for the extinction of the fire fires in our country - in Mehedinti, Alba, Hunedoara and Buzau Counties.

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EU Civil Protection Mechanism coordinates the response to natural and man-made disasters, allowing for the provision of a coordinated, effective and rapid assistance in support of the affected population.

The European Response Capacity is achieved by voluntarily pooling together the resources allocated by its member states in order to immediately respond for assistance within or outside the EU.

The Emergency Response Coordination Center is the operational core of the civil protection mechanism: activates non-stop and coordinates the EU disaster response efforts.

The Press Office