The "CHASSEUR ACCOMPLI" Romanian-French joint flight exercise was concluded today at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Constanta County, in the presence of State Secretary and Chief of the Department of Parliamentary Liaison, Legislative Harmonisation and Public Relations, Mr. Marius Balu, the French Ambassador, Mr. Herve Bolot, and the Chief of the Air Force Staff, Lieutenant General Gheorghe Catrina.

The aim of the 121 flight hours of the exercise, conducted between September 12-23, was to increase the interoperability of the two countries' air forces, by engaging the participating personnel in joint crew/formation flights, in escort, interception and close air support missions. For the first time, day and night live firings with Mirage aircraft were conducted during this exercise in Smardan Firing Range, Galati County. A number of 14 French pilots flew joint flights with Romanian pilots in two-seat MiG-21 LanceRs.

The Romanian Air Force participated with 130 troops, eight MiG-21LanceRs, one IAR-330 PUMA helicopter, one IAR-330 PUMA SOCAT helicopter (MEDEVAC) and one IAR-316 B ALOUETTE helicopter. The French Air Force were present in the exercise with 150 troops, five Mirage 2000 D and three Mirage F1-CT aircraft.

Similar joint training activities have been conducted since 1997. In 2003, the exercise took place in Timisoara and in 2004 at Colmar Air Base in France.

MoND Press Office