Commander Catalin Bahneanu was born on 16^th April 1968 in Tibucani, Neamt County.
He graduated Military High School “Stefan cel Mare” in Campulung Moldovenesc, in 1986. His love for flying and, thus choice of becoming a pilot, made him attend the Military School for Commissioned Officers “Aurel Vlaicu” in Boboc which he graduated in 1990. Becoming flying personnel he went on in pursuing the course of his career. After few years of successful professional life he attended courses of National Defense Univerity “Carol I” in Bucharest, choosing Command and Staff Faculty and specializing in aviation and air defense leadership. He graduated in 2004.

During his career Commander Bahneanu has improved his knowledge and skills through post-academic courses such as:
- Post-academic course for improving organizational management skills, University of Bacau, 2005;
- Post-academic course for improving Air Force command and control skills, National Defense Univerity “Carol I”, War College, Bucharest, 2007;
- Post-academic course for strategic command, National Defense Univerity “Carol I”, War College, Bucharest, 2009.

Starting his professional career as a military pilot, Commander Bahneanu has passed through all stages and performed assignments as pilot, chief-pilot / flight instructor, patrol leader, simulator instructor, Deputy-commander 951^st Air-to-Surface Squadron, Commander 951^st Air-to-Surface Squadron, Deputy-commander 95^th Air Base Bacau. In October 2008 he was invested with official authority of the 95^th Air Base Commander until February 2009 when he was officially appointed 95^th Air Base Commander. As a result of the Romanian Armed Forces transformation program, since 1st of July 2010 the 95^th Air Base has been transformed in 95^th Air Flotilla.

Commander Bahneanu is a first class pilot and flight instructor for MiG-21 LanceR aircraft. His has accumulated over 1300 flying hours flying aircraft such as IAK-52, L-39 ZA, MiG-21, MiG-21 LanceR and IAR-330 L helicopter (since 2009).

As a military officer and pilot he participated in many international mission such as:

1998 – COOPERATIVE PARTENER, Romania;
1999 – COOPERATIVE PARTENER, Bulgaria;
2000 – bilateral flights Olanda – Romania;
2000 – VOLKEL Air Show, The Netherlands;
2000 – bilateral flights Romania – France;
2001 – TIMISOARA Air Show, Romania;
2006 – MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU Air Show, Romania;
2007 – CHASSEUR ACCOMPLI, Romania.
2007 – Opening of THUNDERBIRDS Air Show, MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania;
2008 – GIORNATA AZZURA, Italy.

For his remarkable skills and achievements Commander Bahneanu was rewarded with:

• 2007 – Emblem of Honor of the General Staff;
• 2008 – Order “Aeronautical Virtue”, in Rank of a Knight with military signs;
• 2008 – Emblem of Honor of the Romanian Armed Forces.

Colonel (Av.) Catalin Bahneanu is married and has a daughter.