RoAF 71st Air Base

The location of the base was used during World War II for air operations in the Aiud–Turda–Cluj area. In 1952, a concrete runway began to be built with the aim of basing Soviet-made Ilyushin Il-10 attack aircraft there.{{cite web|url=https://actualdecluj.ro/baza-aeriana-din-campia-turzii-a-marcat-aproape-patru-decenii-de-la-infiintare/|title=Baza aeriană din Câmpia Turzii a marcat aproape patru decenii de la înființare|language=ro|website=actualdecluj.ro|date=1 July 2020}} In the summer of the same year, the 167th Assault Aviation Regiment was deployed at the base, which offered a firing range.{{cite magazine|author=Vasile Tudor|url=http://www.virtualarad.net/orizont_aviatic/decembrie_2004/articol4/articol_4.htm|title=Modernizarea aviației militare române| language=ro|magazine=Orizont Aviatic|issue=26|date=December 2004}} Until 1958-1959, the base was mainly used as a reserve airfield for the MiG-15 fighters of the aviation unit from Craiova.

In 1969, an air defence unit was created on the airfield in order to provide protection against air attacks. A paratrooper regiment was also founded and assigned to the Câmpia Turzii base in 1980.[http://www.roaf.ro/ro/unitati/bz71.php History of the 71st Air Base] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327014207/http://www.roaf.ro/ro/unitati/bz71.php |date=2008-03-27 }}, Romanian Air Force official site. Retrieved on March 27, 2008 In 1971, the 376th Airfield Command was formed with the task of maintaining the airfield and executing missions of particular importance. This Airfield Command became part of the 48th Fighter Aviation Squadron from the 91st Fighter Aviation Regiment which was stationed at the Deveselu base.

On 30 June 1982, the 48th Squadron became a standing military unit based in Deveselu until the capabilities of carrying out missions from the Câmpia Turzii base were achieved. In 1986, the 48th Fighter Aviation Squadron became the 71st Fighter Bombardment Regiment. In 1987, when the air base finally became fully operational, the 71st Regiment was moved to Câmpia Turzii and started operating MiG-21 fighters. Between 1988 and 1990, the 71st Regiment was moved to Târgu Mureș while some infrastructure works were carried out at Câmpia Turzii. According to the restructuring plan of the Air Force, the 71st Fighter and Bombardment Base with the 71st Fighter Aviation Group were formed at the Câmpia Turzii in 1995. On 24 January 2001 the unit received the first modernized MiG-21 LanceR fighters, which carried Matra Magic 2 missiles.

File:MiG-21 LanceR C.JPG taking off from the base in 2008]]

On 1 June 2002, according to a Romanian Armed Forces reorganization and modernization program, the 71st Fighter and Bombardment Base was merged with the 71st Fighter Aviation Group, the 401st Anti-Aircraft Divizion, and the Radiolocation battalions and companies, to form the 71st Air Base. At the same time, the 58th Helicopter Group from Sibiu was transformed into a squadron and assigned to the 71st Air Base. During late 2004, the RoAF 93rd Air Base was disbanded and its helicopter units were relocated at the 71st base. Since then, the 71st Air Base participated in a large number of national/multinational military exercises and training missions. Also, it often participated in various humanitarian missions, in cooperation with other Romanian Government institutions. Between 2010 and 2013, the 71st Air Base was organized as the 71st Air Flotilla.

The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 included $130.5 million to renovate Câmpia Turzii Air Base, in order to enhance the United States' ability to use it to for operations in the Black Sea region.{{cite news |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/air-force-wants-to-turn-soviet-era-base-in-romania-into-nato-black-sea-hub-1.636877 |title=Air Force wants to turn Soviet-era base in Romania into NATO Black Sea hub |newspaper=Stars and Stripes |first=John |last=Vandiver |date=July 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/baza-aeriana-de-la-campia-turzii-va-fi-modernizata-de-sua-americanii-vor-rota-ii-ale-aeronavelor-de-lupta-pentru-descurajarea-rusiei_604180.html|title=Baza Aeriană de la Câmpia Turzii va fi modernizată de SUA. Americanii vor rotații ale aeronavelor de luptă pentru descurajarea Rusiei|language=ro| website=defenseromania.ro|date= July 9, 2020 | access-date=October 22, 2020}} On 15 May 2023, the MiG-21s were retired. A retirement ceremony was held at the base, after which the aircraft were flown to Bacău for storage.{{cite web|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/mig21-campia-turzii-retragere-armata-romana-15-mai/32412858.html|title=Ultimul zbor al MiG-urilor. Mărturie impresionantă despre misiunea de salvare a unui avion prăbușit|language=ro|first=Ovidiu|last= Cornea|work=Radio Free Europe|date=15 May 2023}} On 19 September 2023, the construction of new parking aprons, a hangar, and the Squadron Operations Facility, worth $34 million were completed.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/453726/romanian-and-us-officials-campia-turzii-celebrate-new-facilities-air-base-71-part-more-than-100-million|title=Romanian and U.S. officials in Câmpia Turzii celebrate new facilities at Air Base 71, part of more than $100 million in U.S. investments in the Romanian base|work=DVIDS|first=Christopher|last= Gardner|date=19 September 2023}}

With the purchase of F-16s from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, a new squadron, the 48th Fighter Squadron (Escadrila 48 Vânătoare), was activated at the base. The first three F-16s arrived at the base on 19 April 2024, while another three F-16s previously arrived at the 86th Air Base.{{cite web |last=Dumitrache |first=Ciprian |date=19 April 2024 |title=Escadrila 48 începe să prindă contur în România. Primele 3 avioane F-16 au ajuns la Câmpia Turzii |url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/escadrila-48-incepe-sa-prinda-contur-in-romania-primele-3-avioane-f-16-au-ajuns-la-campia-turzii_627945.html |language=ro |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=www.defenseromania.ro}}

On 1 October 2024, the decision was approved by the Romanian Parliament for the Romanian military to participate in the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine. As part of this decision, the 71st Air Base will host a logistic point, the Logistic Enabling Node - Romania, with up to 100 military personnel.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/social/s-a-aprobat-participarea-armatei-romane-la-misiunea-de-asistenta-de-securitate-si-instruire-nato-nsatu-si-infiintarea-unui-centru-de-instruire-maritima-pentru-militarii-ucraineni-in-romania-22504298|title=S-a aprobat participarea Armatei Române la misiunea de asistență de securitate și instruire NATO-NSATU și înființarea unui centru de instruire maritimă pentru militarii ucraineni, în România|language=ro|author=Andreea Soare|website=mediafax.ro|date=3 October 2024}}

In January 2025, it was announced that the first phase of the expansion and modernization works of the base was completed. The works are aimed at improving and expanding the infrastructure of the base and preparing for the reception of the first Romanian F-35 Lightnings around 2030.{{cite web|url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/extinderea-si-modernizarea-bazei-de-la-campia-turzii-finalizate-inainte-de-termen-aici-e-dislocata-a-doua-escadrila-de-f-16-a-romaniei-si-in-viitor-si-f-35_632122.html|title=Extinderea și modernizarea bazei de la Câmpia Turzii, finalizate înainte de termen. Aici e dislocată a doua escadrilă de F-16 a României și în viitor și F-35|language=ro|website=defenseromania.ro|date= 23 January 2025}}

{{main|Baltic Air Policing}}

File:71st AB Control Tower (front).jpg

Four MiG-21 LanceR Cs belonging to 71st Air Base were deployed from August 2007 to November 2007 at Šiauliai, in Lithuania for Baltic Air Policing. The Romanian detachment succeeds the French Air Force Mirage 2000Cs of Escadron de Chasse 01.012 from Cambrai, which fulfilled the Baltic Air Policing since May 2007. Once the RoAF finish its three-month stint, a Portuguese Air Force detachment will take over the mission.{{cite magazine|title=LanceRs on Alert over Baltics|magazine=Air Forces Monthly|date=November 2007|pages=36–37}}

The four aircraft and a total of 67 personnel, among them nine pilots, are part of the detachment: 63 serve at Šiauliai, while other four serve at the air traffic control centre in Kaunas, to ensure smooth cooperation with local authorities. The Romanian detachment has attracted huge attention from the local media, not least from the fact that it is only the second time a fighter from the Soviet era has deployed to Šiauliai; Polish Air Force MiG-29s have also been deployed there in 2006. The RoAF will most probably perform again Baltic Air Policing in future.

File:F-16 and MiG-21 Lancer formation flight over the RoAF 71st Air Base 2.jpg

In 2012, an Alabama Air National Guard contingent composed of eight F-16 fighters and nearly twenty fighter pilots of the 100th Fighter Squadron was deployed at the base to participate in the three-week "Dacian Viper 2012" exercise. The contingent exercised with approximately 200 Romanian soldiers, technical staff, and pilots flying six MiG-21 LanceRs.{{cite web|url=https://www.codeonemagazine.com/p3_article.html?item_id=109|title=Dacian Viper: Guard F-16s In Romania|website=codeonemagazine.com|author=Clare Reed|date=11 October 2012}} The 100th Fighter Squadron was deployed at the base again in 2015 for exercise "Dacian Viper 2015".{{cite web|url=https://www.187fw.ang.af.mil/News/Display/Article/870003/187-fighter-wing-airmen-f-16s-return-from-romania/|title=187 Fighter Wing Airmen, F-16s return from Romania|website=187fw.ang.af.mil|author=Christopher Baldwin|date=12 November 2015}}

A Royal Canadian Air Force detachment of 6 x McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornets from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron was based here between 5 May and 22 August 2014. The detachment participated in NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission over Romania under the Canadian Operation Reassurance. After finishing their deployment, the Canadian Hornets were moved to Šiauliai Air Base for Baltic Air Policing duties.{{cite web|url=https://english.mapn.ro/cpresa/4107_canadian-aircraft-to-land-at-campia-turzii|title=Canadian Aircraft to Land at Câmpia Turzii|website=english.mapn.ro|date=7 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.intelligencer.ca/2014/08/22/canadas-atf-completes-mission-in-romania|title=Canada's ATF completes mission in Romania|author=Jerome Lessard|work=The Intelligencer (Belleville)|date=22 August 2014}}

In March 2015, an advance group of four A-10s of the U.S. Air Force arrived to take part in an exercise. The “Dacian Thunder 2015” operation, held between 27 March and 7 July 2015, involved 350 Airmen and 12 A-10s.{{Cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2015/03/30/usaf-a-10s-romania/|title = U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II jets have deployed to Romania|date = 30 March 2015}}

In 2019, the first MQ-9 Reapers of the US Air Force were deployed at the base. These drones were operated by the 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group, Detachment 2 based at Mirosławiec in Poland.{{cite web|url=https://ameliairheart.substack.com/p/usaf-mq-9b-reaper-activity-in-romania|title=USAF MQ-9A Reaper Activity in Romania|work=Amy's OSINT|date=25 April 2021}} In 2020, they participated in the "Dacian Reaper-20" exercise.{{cite web|url=http://presamil.ro/exercitiul-dacian-reaper-20/|title=Exercițiul DACIAN REAPER-20|language=ro|website=presamil.ro|date=19 February 2020}}

In February 2021, the US Air Force deployed approximately 90 airmen and several MQ-9 drones of the 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, Detachment 1 at the base. The Reapers started flying remote-split operations on 1 February. The drones are managed by the newly activated 731st Expeditionary Attack Squadron while air operations are handled by the 25th Attack Group, located at the Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The group is subordinated to the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing.{{cite web|url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/07/14/mq-9-reaper-crashes-in-romania/|title=MQ-9 Reaper Has Crashed in Romania|author=Amelia Smith|work=Overt Defense|date=14 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2510100/mq-9-begins-flying-missions-from-romania/|title=MQ-9 begins flying missions from Romania|author=Bethany Karlberg|date=16 February 2021|work=United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa}} On 14 July 2022, one of the drones crashed in a cornfield south of the base, while conducting a training mission.{{cite web|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/31592-usaf-reaper-drone-crash-romania|title=USAF MQ-9 Reaper drone crashes in Romania|author=Clement Charpentreau|work=AeroTime Hub|date=14 July 2022}}

Also in 2021, the US began participating in the enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania by deploying F-15 fighters of the 336th Fighter Squadron to the air base.{{cite web|url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2021/usf15romania2021-2|title=US F-15 Fighter aircraft successfully supported NATO Enhanced Air Policing in Romania|website=nato.int|date=23 December 2021}}

In October 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it will send MQ-9 Reaper drones to Romania with the task of monitoring the eastern flank of the Alliance. The three drones belonging to the 306 Squadron were redeployed from the Curaçao International Airport in the Caribbean and arrived at Câmpia Turzii in early 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/mq-9-reapers-deploy-romania-nato-eastern-flank/|title=MQ-9 Reapers deploy to Romania to surveil NATO’s Eastern Flank|author=Andrew Salerno-Garthwaite|website=airforce-technology.com|date=2 February 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/306-squadron-reapers-to-romania|title=306 Squadron Reapers to Romania|work=Scramble (NL)|date=13 January 2024}} The Dutch drones are operated remotely from the Leeuwarden Air Base, and their operational testing was concluded in March.{{cite web|url=https://defence-industry.eu/dutch-mq-9-reaper-drones-begin-intelligence-operations-on-natos-eastern-flank/|title=Dutch MQ-9 Reaper drones begin intelligence operations on NATO's eastern flank|work=Defence Industry Europe|date=6 March 2024}} It was announced in February 2025 that two Dutch drones will continue the deployment to Romania for one more year until 31 March 2026.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/02/21/nederlandse-mq-9-reapers-vliegen-nog-een-jaar-boven-oostflank-navo|title=Nederlandse MQ-9 Reapers vliegen nog een jaar boven oostflank NAVO|language=nl|website=defensie.nl|date=21 February 2025}}

File:080723-F-4210L-003.jpg

Twelve United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle fighters and more than 150 aviators of the 492nd Fighter Squadron were deployed from 27 March to 6 April 2008, in order to provide air policing together with the Romanian Air Force fighters during the NATO 2008 Bucharest Summit held at Bucharest.{{cite web|title=Bolar Spring Break 2008|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/300554/bolar-spring-break-2008/|website=lakenheath.af.mil|author=Randall Haskin|date=July 23, 2008}} These fighters were assisted by Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers located at the Budapest Airport in Hungary.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediafax.ro/social/sase-avioane-f15-si-sute-de-militari-americani-la-baza-de-la-campia-turzii.html?1688;2491302|title=Șase avioane F15 și sute de militari americani, la Baza de la Câmpia Turzii|trans-title=Six F-15 fighters and hundreds of US military personnel deployed at Câmpia Turzii base|work=Mediafax|date=March 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722105233/http://www.mediafax.ro/social/sase-avioane-f15-si-sute-de-militari-americani-la-baza-de-la-campia-turzii-2491302|archive-date=July 22, 2012}} Under the code-name Operation Noble Endeavor, the Romanian-led effort supported by the 323d Air Expeditionary Wing directed the USAF deployment of KC-135 Stratotankers, F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagles, E-3 Sentries, and F-16 Fighting Falcons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/255590/airmen-augment-romanian-security-for-nato-summit/|title=Airmen augment Romanian security for NATO summit|last=Petosky|first=Eric|date=26 March 2008|publisher=323rd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs|access-date=19 December 2016}}

The following flying and non-flying units are located at Câmpia Turzii.{{cite web|url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/romania/romania-air-force|title=Romania - Air Force|work=Scramble (NL)}}{{Cite magazine |first=Laura |last=Măcărescu |date=2019 |title=Briză și Foc |language=ro |url=https://www.roaf.ro/ro/cer_senin/arhiva/2019/CER%20SENIN%202%20din%202019.pdf |magazine=Cer Senin |volume=2 |issue=157 |page=50}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/netherlands/royal-netherlands-air-force-navy|title=Netherlands - Air Force/Navy|work=Scramble (NL)}}

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Air Force General Staff

• 71st Air Base
• 48th Fighter Squadron
• 713th Helicopter Squadron
• 715th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion

Air Combat Command (ACC)

• Leeuwarden Air Base
• 306 Squadron

{{Col-break}}

United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)

• Third Air Force
• 31st Fighter Wing
• 31st Operations Group
• 731st Expeditionary Attack Squadron

{{Col-end}}

The 71st Air Base has received the following decorations:{{cite web|url=https://canord.presidency.ro/ro/pagina/decoratii-acordate-unor-drapele|title=Decorații acordate unor drapele|language=ro|website=presidency.ro}}

• 50px Order of Aeronautical Virtue, Peacetime (Knight – 2014)

File:301st Fighter Wing F-16C Fighting Falcons at Campia Turzii, Romania.jpg|F-16C Fighting Falcon of the 457th Fighter Squadron at the base in 2019

File:Dacian Reaper-20.jpg|MQ-9 Reaper deployed at the base during the Dacian Reaper-20 exercise

File:MQ-9 Reaper in Roemenië, 20 februari 2024.jpg|Dutch MQ-9 Reaper at Câmpia Turzii, February 2024

File:IAR-330s SOCAT at 71st Air Base.jpg|An IAR-330 SOCAT and an IAR-330 Puma on ground

File:PumaBaza71.JPG|Two IAR 330 Pumas of the 713th Helicopter Squadron taking off

File:Pair of MiG-21s C at the RoAF 71st AB.jpg|Pair of two MiG-21 LanceR 'C' aircraft of the 711th squadron in 2011

File:Pair of Ro AF MiG-21 'A' at the 71st AB.jpg|Pair of two MiG-21 LanceR 'B' aircraft at the base in 2011

• 2nd Guard Aviation Flotilla
• Naval Air Station Sigonella
• Aviano Air Base
• List of American military installations
• Romania–United States relations

{{Reflist|2}}

{{commonscat|RoAF 71st Air Base}}

• {{in lang|ro}} [https://www.roaf.ro/?p=2314 official website]

{{Romanian Air Force}}

{{Romanian Air Force units and formations}}

{{USAF Air Forces in Europe}}

71

Category:Buildings and structures in Cluj County

Category:Military units and formations established in 1953

Category:1953 establishments in Romania

Category:Câmpia Turzii