Ceremonies marking the retirement from service of the MiG-21 LanceR aircraft

     On Monday, May 15, MiG-21 LanceR aircraft belonging to the Romanian Air Force will perform their last flights as they will be retired from service following the Decision of the National Defense Supreme Council no. 083 from 18.05.2022, for the approval of the Memorandum regarding the “Retirement from service of the MiG-21 LanceR aircraft and the accelerated transition into operation of the F-16 aircraft by the Romanian Air Force”.
     In order to mark this event, ceremonies will be held simultaneously on Monday, May 15, starting with 11.00 A.M. on 71st Air Base “General Emanoil Ionescu” located in Câmpia Turzii and on 86th Air Base “Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniţă” located in Borcea, that will conclude with the takeoff of the last MiG-21 LanceR aircraft in operation from both air bases heading to 95th Air Base “Erou capitan aviator Alexandru Șerbănescu” located in Bacău, where they will be retired from service.
     Starting 12:00 a.m., 95th Air Base “Erou capitan aviator Alexandru Șerbănescu” Bacău will host an “open doors” event for all aviation enthusiasts. Admission is free, and the public will witness the arrival, airport vertical transition and landing of MiG-21 LanceR aircraft taken off from the other two air bases and will have the opportunity to visit the air base’s museum.

     Journalists interested to attend these events are welcomed on Monday, May 15, 2023, according to the following schedule:
        · 71st Air Base “General Emanoil Ionescu”, Câmpia Turzii, Câmpia Turzii, 2, Aviatorilor St., Luna, between 10:00 and 10:30. Requests for accreditation should be sent to proff71@roaf.ro by Friday, May 12, at 15:00. Contact person: lt. Andreea ONIȚA, phone: 0040763871047;
        · 86th Air Base “Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniţă”, Borcea, street DJ308A, West Acces Gate, Călăraşi, between 10:00 and 10:30. Requests for accreditation should be sent to relpub.um01912@roaf.ro by Friday, May 12, 15:00. Contact person: plt.maj. Preda Costel, 0040744787543;
        · Air Base 95, “Erou capitan aviator Alexandru Șerbănescu”, Bacău, 202bis, Republicii Ave, between 11.00-11.30. Requests for accreditation should be sent to baza95aeriana@roaf.ro by Friday, May 12, at 15:00. Contact person: lt. Mădălina Burlacu, phone: 0040743510520.
          
*****
     Romanian Air Force will continue to execute the Air Policing mission with the F-16 aircraft, supported by the allied aircraft deployed in Romania to carry out the Enhanced Air Policing mission under NATO command. Moreover, ground-based air defense systems will continue to perform Air Policing missions under national command, as well as within the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System.