The history of the 71th Air Base
The tradition of aviation within the region of Transylvania is deeply linked to the history of the Romanian wings. During the transition from war to peace, with the purpose of reorganizing the Air Force and equipping it with air to ground capable aircraft, the military airfield from Câmpia Turzii was built between 1952 and 1953.
As of 1958, it was used as an alternate airfield for the aviation units flying MIG-15s out of Craiova. During this period, the runway and barracks were under the care of a small formation that provided security and logistics.
Planes participating in the Cluj and Târgu Mureș military parades from 1964 were able to take off from the Câmpia Turzii airfield.
In 1969, an anti-aircraft artillery division was set up for the direct defence of the Campia Turzii airfield.
In 1971, the 376th Airfield Command was created and stationed in Câmpia Turzii. The Airfield Command consisted of an Air Navigation and Transmission Point company, a guard platoon and a maintenance platoon. The purpose of this formation were to ensure the availability of the runway and to carry out missions of particular importance.
In order to increase the mobility and effectiveness of the Army and Air Forces, under the Commander of the Military Aviation’s order, no. 14 of 17.03.1982, the 376 Airfield Command of Câmpia Turzii becomes part of the 48th Fighter Aviation Squadron of the 91st Fighter Aviation Regiment, deployed at Deveselu in Olt county. A small group of officers and soldiers would consequently appointed by the 48th Fighter Squadron commander to operate out of Câ,pia Turzii in order to ensure the availability of the runway and oversee the construction of new structuers and building within the garrison.
By O.G. no. 14 from 17.03.1982 and by Order of the Grand Staff no. PR 003259 from 11.06.1982, as of 30.06.1982 the 48th Fighter Aviation Squadron acquires the status of military unit (U.M. no. 01980) and is deployed at Deveselu aerodrome until such time that the airfield at Câmpia Turzii becomes suitable to host flight missions. On the 30.06.1982 the heart of what was to be the 71st Air Base “began to beat” at Câmpia Turzii.
By O.G. no. 10/22.02.1086 and by Order of the Grand Staff no. 33/00535 from 19.05.1986, as of 30.06.1986 the 48th Fighter Aviation Squadron became the 71st Fighter and Bombardment Aviation Regiment.
After five hard years of efforts and sacrifices from all staff involved, on June 9th 1987 the first double-seater aircraft belonging to the 71st Fighter and Bombardment Aviation Regiment landed at Câmpia Turzii airfield. All necessary logistics were also deployed from Deveselu within a few days making it possible for the first training flight to take off from Câmpia Turzii airfield on 3 June 1987.
On 02.03.1988 the unit is deployed to Târgu Mureș aerodrome while the airfield at Câmpia Turzii underwent certain changes in infrastructure. All works were completed by spring of 1990.
During the events of December 1989 the unit had staff and logistics divided between the two airfields, Câmpia Turzii and Târgu Mureș, but through flawless organization and discipline, all challenges were met.
Thus, in accordance with the provisions of the Decision of the Supreme Council of National Defence no. 0056 from 06.10.1994 as well as of the Law no. 41 /1990 on the organization and functioning of the Ministry of National Defence, on 01.06.1995 the 71st Fighter and Fighter Bombing Base and the 71st Fighter Aviation Group were both garrisoned in Câmpia Turzii.
On 24 January 2001, our unit was equipped with the first MIG-21 “LANCER” air-to-ground and later air-to-air aircraft.
The 71st Fighter Aviation and Fighter Bombing Base and the 71st Fighter Aviation Group operated as such until 2002 when, in accordance with the Order of the Minister of National Defence no. M.S./25 issued by the Head of S.M.F.A. with no. S. H. 435/08.03.2002 concerning the disbanding/transformation/establishment of some units of the peacetime composition of the Romanian Army, during the period 01.03. – 30.06.2002, the 71st Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Base integrates the 71st Fighter Aviation Group, Dn. 401 Antiaircraft Artillery, Battalion 70, 72, Company 71, 73 Radiolocation.
Over the years, the 71st Air Base and the MiG 21 LanceR aircraft have been designated to participate in a number of missions and exercises, including:
NATO Exercise AIR MEET-2005, Oerland, Norway, 2005;
Mission “BALTICA-07” for the execution of the Air Police Combat Service under NATO command, Siauliai, Lithuania, 2007;
Air Policing missions, from Boboc airfield, during the NATO Summit in Bucharest, 2008;
AIR SOLUTION, Romanian-Serbian bilateral exercise, 2009/2011/2016/2018/2019/2020/2021/2022;
INTERCEPTOR, Romanian-Hungarian bilateral Air Police exercise, 2019/2020/2021;
BLUE DANUBE, Romanian-French bilateral exercise, Câmpia Turzii, 2012;
STEEL, Câmpia Turzii, 2021/2022;
RAMSTEIN GUARD-21, NATO electronic warfare training, 2021;
DACIAN THUNDER, Romanian-American bilateral exercise, 2009/2011/2015;
DACIAN WARHAWK, national exercise, 2015/2021.
