The graduates are the first US-made fighter jet pilots trained in the nation since the centre was operationalised.
ADVERTISEMENTSeven Romanian pilots who started training in November at the Fetești Training Centre have completed their courses and received their "mission-ready" designation.
They are the first F-16 pilots trained in the nation since the centre was operationalised.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Borcea Air Base, during which F-16 demonstration flights were organised.
"Hollywood" is one of the first seven pilots who trained at the European Training Centre in Fetești. He amassed nearly 500 flight hours in the seven years he had operated Mig-21 aeroplanes and needed training to transition to the F-16.
"The transition to F-16, as my instructors have said, is quite difficult, but we coped with it brilliantly, at least in our opinion," he told Euronews.
"The Mig-21, as you know, is an aircraft of Eastern origin and the flight philosophy of an aircraft of Western origin is a little different. However, we on the Mig-21 have always flown to NATO standards. Thus, for us the transition was probably much easier than it is probably going to be for the pilots of other nations", he explained.
Being designated "mission-ready" means the pilots can now operate the aircraft in their assigned squadrons. They took theory classes, trained in the simulator and began flying with instructors in January. Solo flights followed, during which they simulated all kinds of combat operations.
"We're very proud of them. The trainees have completed the most difficult program required of a military airman. And the multi-role aeroplane makes this by far the most difficult training we have so far. All the trainees simulated combat with both F-18 Hornet and Typhoon aircraft," "Wizard", an instructor contracted by Lockheed Martin, the company that produces the F-16 aeroplanes, said.
"So, in front of you is a group of fighters who are going to go into the system, protect Romania's sovereignty and be great NATO partners."
"The Romanian trainees have quickly completed over 200 hours of theoretical training, over 500 hours of simulator training and over 400 hours of flying. They are now fully prepared for all types of missions", Gabriel Nicușor Anghel, advisor to the Minister of Defence, explained.
"During this course, the trainee pilots learned not only how to operate an advanced fighter, but also how to use team intelligence while executing modern air-to-air and air-to-ground flight tactics," Kathleen Kavalec, US Ambassador to Romania, added.
F-16 jets 'a beacon of NATO militaries'
Romania now has a squadron of F-16 fighter jets with which the military carries out air patrol sorties. They were also raised from the ground for surveillance during Russia's latest attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube.
The planes have a combat range of more than 500 kilometres and are constantly on alert to combat threats in the airspace.
Recently, the first nine of the 32 second-hand aeroplanes purchased from the Norwegian government have been delivered to Romania, and the others will be delivered in the next period.
Establishing the European Training Centre in Romania will make training pilots who previously had to be taught how to fly Western-style jets in other countries faster and more efficient.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Netherlands Air Force provided the F-16 pilot training centre with 14 aircraft, seven single and seven with dual controls, for practice.
"With hundreds of F-16 jets operating in Europe, this aircraft remains a beacon of NATO militaries, supporting the Alliance's joint defence missions and ensuring the protection of our airspace", Frank St John, Chief Operating Officer at Lockheed Martin told Euronews.
The training centre in Fetești can also train F-16 pilots who want to move up to the next level or military personnel who have never flown fighter planes.