As Operation Biloxi draws to a close, personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and IX(B) Squadron, stood together with personnel from the Finnish and Romanian Air Force in a ceremony to mark the end of another successful rotation of NATO enhanced Air Policing in Romania.
The operation has seen RAF pilots spend alternate weeks on high-readiness standby to defend NATO’s airspace over the Black Sea, as part of NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission.
The mission was introduced after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and is now part of NATO’s assurance measures.
Six RAF Typhoons and around 200 personnel have been based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in southeast Romania. Over a period of 4 months, the RAF has participated in exercises in Finland and Poland and conducted training with other NATO partners to strengthen their skills and interoperability.
The ceremony, which was conducted in front of an RAF Typhoon, was also an opportunity for the Chief of the Romanian Air Force, Major General Baraboi, to present some awards to RAF personnel for outstanding support and high professionalism during the deployment.
"The men and women of the 140 EAW and IX(B) Squadron have done an incredible job this deployment. It is a real privilege to be able to recognise them here today and for the opportunity to see some of them receive these awards. We have been here in Romania now for 4 months and the fact we have not had to conduct a live scramble shows the collective power of the Romanian, Finnish and UK as a deterrence to our adversaries.”
Wing Commander Bird
Commanding Officer 140 Expeditionary Air Wing
“It was a pleasure to be here on the 9th of April to mark the beginning of this important military operation. And I'm equally proud to be here again to congratulate the 200 strong Royal Air Force's team from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing for an exemplary and successful mission."
His Excellency Mr Giles Matthew Portman
UK Ambassador to Romania
His Excellency Mr Giles Matthew Portman said, “Everyone has played a vital role supporting peace and security in Europe, reiterating to our adversaries the enduring strength of the UK's air power and its ability to respond to threats to prevent conflict and to provide assistance wherever needed.
I also want, on behalf of the United Kingdom and the Royal Air Force, to thank the Romanian Air Force and the Romanian people for being wonderful hosts and to the Finnish Air Force for their support during their first detachment with NATO.”
RAF Typhoons are expected to return to RAF Lossiemouth next week and hand over eAP responsibilities to the Spanish Air Force, marking the end of a busy time for the RAF in eastern Europe.
