CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- Thousands of Romanian and European spectators marveled at aerial acrobatics in the skies and combat capability displays on the ground during the Romanian air force 71st Air Base's airshow and open house at Campia Turzii, Romania, July 23, 2016.
The aviation demonstration took place during the middle of the U.S. Air Force 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's six-month long theater security package deployment to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which aims to bolster the U.S.'s continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region.
The unit, comprised of more than 200 California Air National Guard Airmen from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno ANG Base, California, as well as U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, piloted, maintained and supported the deployment of 12 F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft throughout nations like Romania, Iceland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Estonia and among others.
The F-15Cs took to the skies alongside the 71st AB's MiG-21 fighter aircraft and Puma helicopters for both the airshow, the second engagement of its kind at Campia Turzii under Operation Atlantic Resolve, and the bilateral flight training, also known as Dacian Eagle 2016.