RAF Typhoons have arrived in Romania to start a four-month deployment in support of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing of the Black Sea region.
Their arrival comes just over a month after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine which borders Romania.
The four RAF Typhoons from 3 (Fighter) Squadron, from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, will join other aircraft already deployed as part of the RAF’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), based at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in southeast of Romania.
Operation Biloxi will see the Typhoon forming a crucial part of NATO’s existing alliance across Eastern Europe.
It will improve Britain’s interoperability with regional Allies as part of a multinational combat capable force operating alongside Romanian and American aircraft.
Wing Commander Dutch Holland, Officer Commanding 140 EAW, watched the Typhoon aircraft arrive and welcomed the pilots with Romanian Air Force Colonel Dodu, the commander of Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base.
“140 EAW forms a key part of the UK’s contribution to NATO enhanced Air Policing within the Black Sea region which will involve us operating closely with out NATO partners throughout the deployment,” Wg Cdr Holland said.
“ Op Biloxi is a pre-planned UK operation which seeks to reinforce our commitment to European security, highlighting that NATO remains ready to counter any threat within the region.”
RAF and British Army personnel have been deployed in Romania since early March after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ahead of the Typhoons’ arrival.
“It’s a privilege to command a team of skilled RAF and British Army personnel who enable us to fulfil our purpose and effectively co-operate with our NATO partners.” Wg Cdr Holland said of his EAW.
Op Bilox 22 is the fourth time that the RAF has deployed to Romania to undertake NATO enhanced Air Policing. Previous deployments were in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
