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90-552: The military sector of Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport is currently home to the 57th Air Base . Since 1999 it has been used by the United States Air Force . Built in 1955 as a military airbase, Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport opened for civil operations in May 1960. It replaced the old Palas Airport (founded in 1932). A passenger terminal with a capacity of 200 passengers per hour was inaugurated in 1962. In 1967

180-730: A Fire & MP Station, a Troop Medical Center, a gym and a post exchange facility. The airfield runway can accommodate rotary-wing through C-5 aircraft. The base has a rail connection with side-loading ramps. Training facilities have company -size maneuver training capabilities and include live-fire shooting ranges . The following flying and non-flying units are located at Mihail Kogălniceanu. Air Force General Staff Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) Ramstein Air Base Ramstein Air Base ( IATA : RMS , ICAO : ETAR )

270-491: A "threat for Bucharest" and warning that the base is "more likely to be among the first targets for retaliatory strikes." The Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission was established in 2014 as NATO's response to Russia's annexation of Crimea. Since then several NATO member nations have deployed to the base to participate in this mission: The first deployment to Mihail Kogălniceanu as part of the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission

360-455: A full view of the massive Air Operations Center map on the opposing wall. The AOC was the largest room in the complex. Its three-story map was used to plot minute-by-minute movements of friendly and unidentified aircraft. But the center was much more than just a tracking station, because it could also react to threats. They always knew the current operational status of air weapons in theater including missiles, and could dispatch armed response "at

450-512: A hospital. The project is divided into four stages, which will be implemented over 20 years. Mihail Kogălniceanu is set to become NATO's biggest airbase in Europe. In June 2022, the Ministry of Defence announced the winners of the first stage of the contract for the base upgrades. Three companies and 22 subcontractors will participate in the works. The state secret-level classified project

540-465: A moment's notice". By the early 1960s, the manual plotting system used to track aircraft at the cave and elsewhere throughout West Germany was too slow and inaccurate for the quick responses necessary. Beginning in 1962, airmen trained in the new 412L air weapons control system began to arrive in Germany and at the cave. Over the next year, the new GE semi-automatic system was installed. When complete at

630-604: A month, to participate in the Resilient Resolve 2016 exercise. Starting from 2022, an ARTEMIS special mission aircraft of the United States Army deployed here for reconnaissance of Eastern Europe. Elements of the French -led Multinational Battlegroup headquartered at Cincu under Mission Aigle are also deployed at the base since 2022. In 2023, an Italian Air Force G550 CAEW was also deployed at

720-467: A period between 1968 and 1973, the 86th Wing , under various designations, has been the main operational and host unit at Ramstein Air Base. Throughout the 1950s, the 86th was primarily a Fighter-Bomber Wing. In 1960, it was realigned to an air defense mission and became the 86th Air Division (Defense). The 86th AD was inactivated in 1968. Returning as an F-4 Phantom II Tactical Fighter Wing in 1973,

810-553: A total area of around 2,800  ha (6,900 acres ). Geopolitical analyst Dorin Popescu considers it will become a "permanent NATO military structure." and a Romanian Defence Ministry official told Euractiv that as a result of the "decision to expand NATO's military base. Romania will have stronger security guarantees." The project includes building barracks, maintenance hangars, social centers, and two new runways. The military city will include schools, kindergartens, shops, and

900-475: A two-month deployment as part of the enhanced Air Policing mission. This marked the first Finnish Air Force deployment on a NATO mission since the country's accession to the alliance . In 2009, construction for the new United States Army base on the site of the former 34th Territorial Mechanized Brigade garrison was completed. The Permanent Forward Operating Site (PFOS) operated by the United States

990-574: Is a United States Air Force installation located in Rhineland-Palatinate , southwestern Germany . It serves as the headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM). The base plays a key role in supporting forward military operations, particularly those deploying to Eastern Europe and Africa . Constructed between 1949 and 1952 by

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1080-565: Is an air base located near Constanța , at the Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport . It is home to the 572nd Helicopter Squadron. The air base also has a significant US Military presence, being the location of the US Army Garrison Black Sea and Area Support Group Black Sea , hosting over 4,500 American troops. In 2024, construction began on a project aimed at modernizing and expanding

1170-649: Is home of the Romanian Air Force 57th Air Base , which was the only unit operating the Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft . The base was disbanded in April 2004, then reestablished in 2018. It has been used by the US Military since 1999. It is currently home to the 572nd Helicopter Squadron which operates IAR 330Ls . Currently, there are plans are to further expand the base, transforming it into

1260-410: Is located near the town of Ramstein-Miesenbach , with the east gate about 16  km (10  mi ; 9  nmi ) from Kaiserslautern , commonly known as "K-Town" among Americans. Other nearby towns include Landstuhl , located 5 km (3 mi; 3 nmi) from the base's west gate. In 1940, construction of today's Bundesautobahn 6 was stopped when a bridge that was being built across

1350-651: Is set to finish in almost nine years. Construction began in 2024 on the south side of the future base, where a high-capacity electrical network and access roads are being built. On 11 June 2024, construction started on the first runway of the base after a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the Minister of National Defence, the Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff, the Air Force Chief of Staff, and

1440-431: The 2 Air Expeditionary Wing and 17 Wing Winnipeg . The Canadian mission is part of Operation Reassurance . The first deployment lasted from August to December 2017. On 5 September 2020, Canada's Air Task Force contributed six CF-18s to the eAP mission. In 2022, eight CF-18s were brought to the base. On 3 June 2024, seven Finnish F/A-18 Hornets of 31 Squadron from Rissala Air Base arrived at Mihail Kogălniceanu for

1530-688: The 21st Theater Sustainment Command . In 2016, the Army Support Activity-Black Sea (ASA-Black Sea) was established with the role of supporting the American soldiers deployed at the base as well as those deployed to the Novo Selo Range in Bulgaria . ASA-Black Sea was first part of US Army Garrison Ansbach  [ de ] then moved under US Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz  [ de ] . In June 2024,

1620-644: The 22nd Fighter Squadron which were deployed at the base for the duration of the exercise. This was also the first time American F-16 crews trained in Romania. On 1 May 2007, the Mihail Kogălniceanu aerodrome was established, with the mission to coordinate the aeronautical activities in the area of responsibility, to ensure the Support of the Host Nation for the armed forces in transit, and to represent

1710-516: The 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing , based at Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France, and two of its squadrons, the 38th and 32d, equipped with the RF-4C Phantom II , were relocated to Ramstein on 5 October 1966. Assigned squadrons of the 26th TRW at Ramstein were: While at Ramstein, the 26th TRW acquired a number of other units with different flying missions. One function gained by the 26 TRW, almost immediately after arriving at Ramstein,

1800-512: The 316th Air Division was activated, centralizing command authority at Ramstein. The 86 TFW became the division's flight operations arm, while the newly formed 377th Combat Support Wing , also activated in 1985, became responsible for the logistical and administrative support on base, replacing the 86th and 7030 Combat Support Wings. On 28 August 1988, Ramstein Air Base was the site of the tragic Ramstein airshow disaster , which killed 72 spectators and three pilots, and injured hundreds. After

1890-425: The 322nd Airlift Division that arrived on 23 June 1978, and SAC 's 7th Air Division that arrived on 1 July 1978. In December 1980, HQ Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force was moved from Ramstein to Heidelberg and co-located with HQ Central Army Group. In 1984, an enlisted airman (Sgt Darrel Dietlein), assigned to the 1964th Communications Group , solicited National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol to charter

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1980-524: The Barents Sea , the two bombers were intercepted by Russian MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters but continued on their flight path to Romania, being escorted by Finnish F/A-18s, German Eurofighters and Romanian F-16s until their arrival at Mihail Kogălniceanu. It was alleged to be one of the black sites involved in the CIA 's network of " extraordinary renditions ". According to Eurocontrol data, it has been

2070-652: The Black Sea . On 15 August 2018, four Eurofighter Typhoons of No. 1 Squadron , 135 Expeditionary Air Wing were scrambled to intercept six Russian Su-24 Fencer bombers over the Black Sea. In August 2017, the Royal Canadian Air Force replaced the RAF on the eAP mission with a detachment of four CF-18 Hornet fighters. The personnel belonged to the 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron , and were supported by

2160-565: The Cold War , the 86th was realigned to become the 86th Airlift Wing . On 1 July 1993, the 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron moved from the 435th   AW at Rhein-Main Air Base Germany to Ramstein. On 1 October, the 75th and 76th Airlift Squadron arrived at Ramstein from the 60th AW at Travis Air Force Base California, and 437th   AW at Charleston AFB South Carolina , respectively. A year later on 1 October 1994,

2250-688: The Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit , in Cairo , to his ambassador in London . It revealed that the United States had detained at least 23 Iraqi and Afghan captives at a military base called Mihail Kogălniceanu in Romania, and added that similar secret prisons were to be found in Poland , Ukraine , Kosovo , Macedonia , and Bulgaria." The US military base infrastructure includes barracks , DFAC and MWR facilities, an Aid Station as well as

2340-643: The Pipera Aerodrome . It was equipped with Po-2 , Yak-11 , Yak-23 and Yak-17 aircraft. The fighter regiment moved to the Mihail Kogălniceanu Aerodrome in 1955, following the escape by seaplane of two aviators from Escadrila 131 Hidroaviație Palazu Mare . On 1 November 1959, it was renamed to Regimentul 57 Aviație Vânătoare (57th Fighter Aviation Regiment). The name was kept until 1995. The base received MiG-17 fighters in 1960, followed by MiG-21F-13s in 1962. By 1972,

2430-538: The Rhine River near Mannheim collapsed, leaving a section of autobahn that could not be used. A part of the unused autobahn to the west of Mannheim, near Kaiserslautern , was used as an airstrip by the Luftwaffe . The airstrip was also used by the advancing U.S. Army Air Forces during the final months of World War   II. The old autobahn section is still used as the access road to the east and west gates of

2520-570: The 1980s, and the two Combat Support units were merged into the 377th Combat Support Wing. There is still a north and south side Fitness Centers . The current northside Community Center before housed the WAF NCO Club. As well, there were two Movie Theaters on the North side and two on the South side. Currently, only two still stand on the north side: a remodeled Nightingale Theater (known before as

2610-630: The 1st Canadian Air Group, 1st and 2nd Divisions of the West German Air Force , and units of the USAFE's 3rd and 17th Air Force. HQ USAFE fully completed its move from Wiesbaden to Ramstein in early 1991. With USAFE's arrival in 1973, Ramstein entered a period of expansion. The duel commander of the 316th AD / 86 TFW became host commander of Americans living in the Kaiserslautern Military Community instead of

2700-408: The 37th   Airlift Squadron was transferred to Ramstein from Rhein-Main. In 1999, the activation of the 86th Contingency Response Group brought the airfield and aerial port operations and provision of force protection at contingency airfields mission to the wing. On 24 May 2004, the 38th Combat Support Wing was activated to enhance support to USAFE geographically separated units. This wing

2790-414: The 57th Air Base, with the 57th Fighter Aviation Group. The group had two MiG-29 squadrons and one MiG-23 squadron. In 2002, the 59th Helicopter Regiment from Tuzla was disbanded and its personnel and equipment were integrated into the 57th Fighter Aviation Group. Parts of the U.S. Department of Defense , principally from United States European Command , started to use the base in 1999. The airport and

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2880-400: The 630th Military Airlift Support Squadron from Rhein-Main Air Base was assigned to Ramstein and a large cargo aerial port constructed. This allowed Military Airlift Command C-141 and C-5 Galaxy aircraft to use Ramstein as a transshipment point for material, which was then moved within USAFE by C-130 tactical transports. In the spring of 1972, the 7th Special Operations Squadron (SOS)

2970-611: The 86th TFW performed that mission until 1994, deploying components to the Middle East during the 1990 Gulf War . On 14 August 1976, the Strategic Air Command 306th Strategic Wing was activated at Ramstein with a KC-135 air refueling and an RC-135 reconnaissance mission. The 306th also functioned as the focal point for all SAC operations in Europe and as liaison between SAC and USAFE. The wing moved to RAF Mildenhall , England on 1 July 1978. In June 1985,

3060-652: The Army Support Activity was transformed into the US Army Garrison Black Sea (USAG Black Sea) of the United States Army Installation Management Command , the ninth US Army Garrison in Europe. As part of Operation Atlantic Resolve , a US Army Light Division is deployed at the base on a nine-month rotation basis. With the reactivation of the US Army V Corps , the unit came under its command. As of 2023,

3150-601: The Division comprises an Infantry Brigade Combat Team , and a Sustainment Brigade . Multiple rotary-wing elements from the Regionally Aligned Forces rotation force are also deployed at the base. As of 2024, over 4,500 American soldiers are stationed at Mihail Kogălniceanu. In June 2022, elements of the 101st Airborne Division were deployed at the base. On 30 July 2022, they uncased their colors and conducted an air assault demonstration together with

3240-639: The European Encampments along with their traditional military studies, cadet programs and aerospace education efforts. The Ramstein Cadet Squadron commander as of February 2022 is 1st Lt Cody Chenowith. The squadron is the central hub for all CAP units in Europe. Membership as of April 2024 was 55 members. In the subsequent years, a companion cadet squadron was formed at Spangdahlem Air Base. Distance learning cadets are located at SHAPE, Belgium and Hohenfels, Germany. Additionally,

3330-879: The Four Corners Theater) on the corner across from the Base gas Station, and the north side AAFES dry cleaners that was known as the Ramstein Rocket Theater. Near the Ramstein Air Base is the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), operated by the United States Army . Although part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community, LRMC has a separate history and was never a part of Ramstein or Landstuhl Air Bases, although both facilities have utilized

3420-678: The French Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , Ramstein Air Base is part of the larger Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), which houses around 54,000 American service members and over 5,400 U.S. civilian employees. Additionally, more than 6,200 German workers are employed within the KMC. Air Force units in the KMC employ nearly 9,800 military personnel, supported by approximately 11,100 family members. Ramstein AB alone hosts over 16,200 military personnel, U.S. civilians, and contractors. The base

3510-848: The General Staff of the Land Forces . In 2007 and 2011, the air base hosted the USAF Thunderbirds during the air shows that took place at the airport. With the closure of the Transit Center at Manas in Kyrgyzstan , the United States military transferred processing operations for military deploying to Afghanistan and other locations to the base. The United States Army 21st Theater Sustainment Command and Air Force 780th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron were responsible for US operations there. In July 2018, during

3600-641: The Kindsbach Cave had become too small and its cost for renovation too high. The USAFE vacated the facility and, on 31 October 1993, control was returned to the German government and the German government returned the facility to the original owner of the land. Today, the Kindsbach Cave is private property, through tours of the cave can be arranged. The cave is overgrown by vegetation, trees, and new housing. The new 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing stood up on 4 September 2008. As of June 2020 ,

3690-524: The Landstuhl spur in 1948, by agreement of the U.S. and French Occupational Forces. Trainloads of earth were moved over the line and spread over the base's current area to raise it to its current level. Once the ground was level, construction work began. Two bases were laid out. Landstuhl Air Base on the south side and Ramstein Air Station (station, no airstrip) on the north. From 1948 to the opening of

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3780-619: The Ramstein Cadet Squadron is the second oldest and continuous operating unit on the installation and even predating the 86th Air Wing. Today, the base is home to the Allied Air Command , which is responsible to Joint Force Command Brunssum , the only and main NATO command unit on Ramstein AB. Close to Ramstein was the site of Air Defense Operations Center (ADOC)  —  Kindsbach , AKA 'Kindsbach Cave' –

3870-504: The Romanian 9th Mechanized Brigade . As of October 2022, about 4,700 soldiers from Fort Campbell were deployed on NATO's eastern flank, 2,400 of which were at the Mihail Kogălniceanu base, marking the first deployment of the 101st Division to Europe in nearly 80 years. In July 2024, the 101st Division completed its rotations and was replaced by the 10th Mountain Division . The United States Marine Corps Black Sea Rotational Force

3960-567: The Soviet Union. The center had a digital computer to work out bombing problems, cryptographic equipment for coded message traffic and its own photo lab to develop reconnaissance photos. Responsible for an air space extending deep behind the Iron Curtain , the center interacted directly with The Pentagon , NATO, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and all USAFE bases. With its massive telephone switchboard and 80 teletype machines,

4050-638: The US Army 21st Commanding General. The Wiesbaden USAF Community was then traded to the US Army Control as for an even Kaiserlautern switch. The KMC from the 1950s to the early 1990s had an average population of Americans of 110,000, outnumbering those Germans in the City of Kaiserslautern for that period. Allied Air Forces Central Europe was established at Ramstein on 28 June 1974. Ramstein subsequently provided support for other headquarters including

4140-535: The West German government continued construction of the A6 autobahn from Kaiserslautern to Saarbrücken, the autobahn cut off access at the south of the base which is where the main gate was in the city limit of Landstuhl. The main gate was moved to the west side of the base which was in the town of Ramstein. The two bases were joined and the current Kisling Memorial Drive cut off to the public which made one base. In 1961,

4230-491: The airport registered a total traffic of 115,107 passengers, an increase by 44% compared to 2022 when 80,007 passengers were registered. The same year, work started on modernizing the airport and improving its infrastructure as part of a series of investments. The project includes work on the control tower , the passenger terminal as well as the development of other facilities. The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Constanța Airport: The airport

4320-544: The airport was transited by 1,300 cargo and personnel transports towards Iraq, comprising 6,200 personnel and about 11,100 tons of equipment. The base retains an important role, given added weight by the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation . The base was disbanded in April 2004, following the retirement of the MiG-29s, becoming an annex to the 86th Air Base . All the MiG-29s remain in open storage at

4410-574: The base and the A6 was rebuilt south of the air base after the war. During the initial postwar era, the USAAF repaired several former Luftwaffe airfields in Bavaria , part of the American occupation zone of Germany. The area was a swamp that had to be built up by two metres (six feet) A train line was laid out from Einsiedlerhof-Kaiserslautern in a yoke shape around to the current base and back down to

4500-517: The base was equipped only with MiG-21 fighters. In 1979, the first MiG-23s arrived at the base. These equipped the 1st Squadron of the Regiment. The 2nd Squadron converted to the MiG-23 in 1980. From 1989, the Regiment started receiving MiG-29s . The MiG-29s were assigned to the 2nd and 3rd Squadrons of the Regiment. In July 1995, the 57th Fighter Aviation Regiment was disbanded and replaced by

4590-443: The base was officially named "Ramstein Air Base." One legacy of the two separate air bases is that the north side of Ramstein retained a separate APO from the south side. The north side (Ramstein AB) is APO   AE   09012, while the south side (Landstuhl   AB) is APO   AE   09009. Also separate Combat Support Groups, the 7030th for the north side, and the 86th for the south side existed. These were consolidated in

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4680-435: The base. On 12 June 2023, two B-1B Lancers of the 7th Bomb Wing stopped at the base for a hot-pit refuel. The aircraft were taking part in the Air Defender 23 exercise. On 21 July 2024, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived at the air base as part of Bomber Task Force 24-4. Operating as the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron , this was the first time Stratofortress bombers operated out of Romania. While flying over

4770-433: The base. The 863rd Helicopter Squadron remained the only permanent unit of the base. Before it was disbanded, the base also received MiG-21 LanceR fighters with personnel from the 86th Air Base. Until the retiring of the LanceRs in 2023, the base hosted the 861st Fighter Squadron of the 86th Air Base. In 2006, the MiGs from Mihail Kogalniceanu took part the Viper Lance 2006 exercise together with F-16 Fighting Falcons of

4860-416: The base. Under the same project, it is planned to build a military city similar to Ramstein Air Base , where more than 10,000 NATO servicemen will live together with their families. The current base commander is Comandor Nicolae Crețu. The 57th Air Base was first formed as Regimentul 14 Aviație Vânătoare Reactivă , soon to be renamed to Regimentul 172 Aviație Vânătoare , on 15 April 1951 at

4950-559: The bases in 1953, it was the largest one spot construction site in Europe employing over 270,000 workers at one time. Enough construction was completed in mid-1952 that Landstuhl   AB was opened on 5 August. Its facilities included a runway, dispersal hardstands, a control tower , ramps, and other flight-related facilities and the associated flying and support units. On 1 February 1952, Det   1, 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing arrived at Landstuhl   AB from Neubiberg Air Base near Munich . On 1 June 1953, Ramstein Air Station

5040-401: The biggest NATO airbase in Europe. Several city bus lines link the airport to Constanța railway station. There are also a few private bus lines operating to downtown Constanța and to the Romanian Black Sea resorts . There is no shuttle service available. There are always cabs available outside airport terminal. The cost of a ride to Constanța is around US$ 30 which is considerably higher than

5130-435: The bus rates which can be as low as 3 lei/US$ 0,43. The Airport is easily accessible by car and is located in north-western part of Constanța, which can be accessed from the DN 2A / E60 Constanța-Hârșova or A4 motorway (Romania) until Ovidiu . The airport can also be reached from the A2 highway by exiting towards Cernavodă driving on DN22C towards Medgidia then through county road DJ 222 passing through Cuza Vodă all

5220-401: The cave was plugged into everything in the outside world. The center was receiving more than 1,000 calls a day. As a further measure of protection, the cave was fully self-contained with its own water supply , electric backup-generators, climate controls , dining facilities and sleeping accommodations for its 125-man crew. Visitor passes were rarely issued to this secret facility. Throughout

5310-410: The cave, the current air picture over East and West Germanies, as well as parts of the eastern Soviet bloc countries, was displayed on a 12-by-12-metre (40 ft × 40 ft) screen with radar information provided by various 412L sites located throughout West Germany. Senior U.S. staff monitored the dynamic display 24/7 . Over the next several years, additional 412L sites throughout Germany joined

5400-403: The commander of the 521st AMOW is Colonel Adrienne Williams. In December 2023 a new Space Force component stands up at Ramstein Air Base. On 7 March 1966, French President Charles de Gaulle announced that France would withdraw from NATO's integrated military structure. The United States was informed that it must remove its military forces from France by 1 April 1967. As a result,

5490-452: The current Ramstein AB Clinic along with Dental Clinic facilities for the whole KMC. In turn, the East Gate to Ramstein   AB will be extended from its current location to just off the Autobahn 6 Einsiedlerhof exit to the base at what is known as the Elvis Gate. From 2004 to 2006, Ramstein Air Base underwent an extensive expansion with a major construction project – including an all-new airport terminal , among other new facilities, through

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5580-423: The deployment, one helicopter was damaged by a storm while refueling at the UN base in Douentza . Several unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles were detected flying close to the base in April 2024. The drones, determined to be small civilian types, were subsequently brought down with electronic warfare equipment, although no remains were found. The military prosecutor's office started an investigation following

5670-451: The disbanding of the 57th Air Base in 2004. In 2021, the first stage of a 2 billion euro project was launched by the Romanian Armed Forces to modernize and expand the base as a response to the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea . Under this project, approved by the Romanian Government in 2019, plans are to build a small military city, similar to Ramstein Air Base . This project will house around 50,000 NATO troops and civilians, with

5760-522: The events. Similar events also occurred over other Romanian air bases since 2022. On the occasion of Her Majesty Margareta , Custodian of the Romanian Crown and Prince Radu 's visit to the base on 17 May 2024, it was announced that the 57th Air Base received the name "Captain Aviator Constantin Cantacuzino", in honor of Romania's top scoring ace of World War II , Prince Constantin "Bâzu" Cantacuzino . The 57th Fighter Aviation Group previously held this honorific name from its establishment in 1995 until

5850-458: The expected move of HQ   USAFE to Ramstein. This entire operation, code-named "Creek Action", was carried out as part of the USAF's new worldwide policy of locating the most vital headquarters in thinly populated rural areas rather than near cities. Later, HQ USAFE was moved, due to the fact that US Intelligence found that the Soviets had plans to invade Western Europe through the Fulda Gap in West Germany. The military thought to move vital HQs on

5940-430: The first "Cadet Squadron" in West Germany, naming the unit "Ramstein Cadet Squadron" and becoming the unit's first commander as a CAP First Lieutenant. The Ramstein Cadet Squadron was formed with Captain Mark Bailey serving as the unit's first liaison officer, as well as other like minded military volunteers and roughly six cadets. To this day, the squadron enjoys vibrant member participation, as well as base support, hosting

6030-411: The former military garrison of the 34th Territorial Mechanized Brigade became the first US base to open in Romania. In 2003, it became one of four Romanian military facilities that U.S. military forces have used as a staging area for the invasion of, and counter-insurgency efforts in Iraq , operated by the 458th Air Expeditionary Group . During the first three months of the 2003 invasion of Iraq ,

6120-402: The head of the Domains and Infrastructures Directorate. The construction of the runway is set to finish in 2027. The news of the base expansion project has caused concern among Russian officials. As early as March 2024, Russian politicians have issued warnings to Romania over the project, with Andrey Klimov , deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, calling it

6210-445: The interface between the foreign armed forces that carried out activities on the aerodrome and the public authorities represented locally. On 1 June, the Administrative Center-Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport (Military Unit 01837) was established and took responsibility of the location. In January 2014, Mihail Kogălniceanu Aerodrome changed its organizational structure by assimilating the Mihail Kogălniceanu Administrative Center subordinated to

6300-405: The medical facilities at LRMC, since they were established in 1953. Currently there are plans on the drawing board from the U.S. Department of Defense to build a new Medical Center on the current U.S. Army Weilerbach Storage Installation just to the east of Ramstein   AB. Construction is to be completed in and around 2024.. It will be a twelve-story facility to house all departments of LRMC and

6390-399: The network, until the manual system had been totally replaced. In April 2015, Ramstein Air Base was reported by German and international media as an important control center in the drone war staged under the Obama administration against targets in areas like Pakistan , Yemen , Afghanistan and Somalia . The German government claimed not to have been informed about this function of

6480-594: The other side of the Rhein River for protection. As a result of this policy change, Ramstein air base became a large multi-national NATO center: in addition to the USAFE's headquarters, it also housed the new NATO headquarters of the Allied Air Forces Central Europe (AAFCE). The AAFCE also commanded the 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force (2ATAF) and the 4th ATAF. The 4th ATAF, which had been headquartered at Ramstein for many years, included

6570-679: The restructuring and modernization of the Romanian Army, the 57th Air Base was re-established and placed under the command of the Air Force Staff. In October 2019, a detachment of 4 IAR 330 L helicopters from the 572nd Helicopter Squadron was sent to participate in the UN mission to Mali . The Carpathian Pumas detachment carried out medical evacuation missions, transport of troops and materials, air patrols, and observation missions. The detachment completed 380 missions until 2020. During

6660-463: The site of Europe's underground combat operations center. The facility was located in a former German western front command headquarters. The French took control of the underground bunker after World War II, and USAFE assumed control in 1953. After major renovations, USAFE opened the center on 15 August 1954. The center was a state-of-the-art, 67-room, 3,400-square-metre (37,000 sq ft) facility where USAFE could have led an air war against

6750-411: The site of NATO's underground combat operations center. The 86th Air Base Group was activated as the main base support unit for Landstuhl while the 7030th HQ Support Group was the main base support unit for Ramstein. On 1 December 1957, the two bases were consolidated into the largest NATO-controlled air base in service on the continent . It was called "Ramstein–Landstuhl Air Base", but later, after

6840-461: The site of four landings and two stopovers by aircraft identified as probably belonging to the CIA's fleet of rendition planes, including at least one widely used Gulfstream V executive jet N379P, later registered, and more commonly cited, as N44982 . European, but not U.S., media have widely distributed reports of a fax intercepted by Swiss intelligence , datelined 10 November 2005, that "was sent by

6930-693: The so-called Rhein-Main Transition Program which was initiated in support of the total closure of Rhein-Main Air Base on 30 December 2005 and transferring all its former capacities to Ramstein Air Base (70%) and Spangdahlem Air Base (30%). Ramstein served as temporary housing for the United States men's national soccer team during the 2006   World Cup . Source: Fletcher, Air Force Bases, Volume II Source: Fletcher, Air Force Bases, Volume II Reassigned from Neubiberg Air Base , West Germany in 1952 and except for

7020-477: The terminal expanded to a processing capacity of 300 pax/hour. In 1974 a major expansion increased the processing capacity to 1,000 pax/hour. Use of the airport peaked at 778,766 passengers in 1979, when foreign tourism to the Romanian Riviera was at a high. Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport handled 127,635 passengers in 2017. That represented a 34.9% increase over the previous year. In 2023,

7110-826: The way to the commune of Mihail Kogălniceanu where the airport is located. Alternatively from the A2 highway there is another exit towards Medgidia on DJ381 and then continue on DJ222. Car rentals are also available. There is free short- and long-term parking right outside the airport terminal. [REDACTED] Media related to Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport at Wikimedia Commons RoAF 57th Air Base The Romanian Air Force 57th Air Base "Captain Aviator Constantin Cantacuzino" ( Romanian : Baza 57 Aeriană "Căpitan Aviator Constantin Cantacuzino" ), also known as Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base,

7200-553: The years, leadership changed but USAFE led the operations through numbered Air Forces. The center's commander was the USAFE Advanced Echelon. The glassed-in office was on the top floor of the three-story underground command center. Directly under the office was the management for offensive air operations. And the bottom floor office was the management for defensive air operations – to include support for U.S. Army forces and West German Civil Defense. All three offices had

7290-508: Was a detachment of four Eurofighter Typhoons of the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force. The detachment, part of No. 135 Expeditionary Air Wing under the code-named Operation Biloxi , arrived at the air base on 24 April 2017. Until August 2017, these Eurofighters belonging to No. 3 Squadron , conducted over 280 sorties in support of the NATO training operations in the region and one sortie in response to Russian Air Force activity over

7380-484: Was activated on Ramstein Air Base, having moved from its joint facilities with HQ USAFE at Wiesbaden AB . What was not generally known at the time and not made public until after the end of the Cold War in 1993, was the desire to have HQ   Twelfth Air Force in close proximity to the Air Defense Operations Center (ADOC)  —  Kindsbach, a.k.a. 'Kindsbach Cave'  — 

7470-480: Was assigned flying C-130Es, C-47As, and UH-1Ns. Because of the special operations mission of the 7 SOS, it reported directly to HQ USAFE for operational control. As part of operation "Creek Action", a command-wide effort to realign functions and streamline operations, HQ USAFE transferred the 26th TRW from Ramstein to Zweibrücken Air Base and the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned from Zweibrücken to Ramstein on 31 January 1973. From its inception, Ramstein

7560-423: Was designed as a NATO command base. In 1957, Ramstein provided support for NATO's HQ Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force , which moved to Ramstein from Trier Air Base on 10 November 1957 upon the closure of that facility. Also on that date, HQ Twelfth Air Force was transferred to Bergstrom Air Force Base , Texas, and was assigned to Tactical Air Command . It was replaced by HQ Seventeenth Air Force (USAFE) which

7650-506: Was headquartered at the base from 2010 until 2018, when the Corps was moved to Norway . In 2016, two F-22 Raptors arrived at the base as part of a Rapid Response program training exercise. After a few hours at the base, the F-22s flew back to Great Britain. In March 2016, four CF-188 Hornets of the Royal Canadian Air Force 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron were deployed at the base for about

7740-505: Was inactivated in 2007. The 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing was activated on 4 September 2008. The wing is the headquarters for the existing 721st Air Mobility Operations Group at Ramstein and the 521st AMOG at Naval Station Rota, Spain . The 521st AMOW provides an enhanced level of control for the AMC route structure in Europe, which includes critical locations for getting people, cargo and patients to and from current war zones. By 1984,

7830-493: Was intended to become one of the main operating bases of United States Army Europe 's Joint Task Force East (JTF-E), a rotating task force initially to be provided by the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Regiment , which was to eventually grow to a brigade -sized force. The JTF-E concept was reduced to the Army-only Task Force East. Task Force East has since been transformed into Area Support Group Black Sea (ASG-BS) of

7920-650: Was moved from North Africa. In turn, the 17th AF was replaced by its mother unit HQ USAFE from Lindsey Air Station, Wiesbaden, West Germany in 1973. The HQ 17th AF was moved to Sembach AB at that time and controlled all USAF Air Divisions and Wings north of the Alps, with the exception of the British Isles and Scandinavia, which were controlled by HQ 3rd AF at Mildenhall. On 31 January 1973, several headquarters were relocated into and out of Ramstein, when Seventeenth   AF moved to Sembach Air Base to make room for

8010-552: Was opened. Ramstein was the location of headquarters, Twelfth Air Force, and supported family housing, base exchange, commissary, dependents' schools and other administrative offices for the WAFs (Women's Air Force). The barracks that were built at Ramstein AS were used to house WAFs and single women that worked as U.S. Government employees at both Ramstein   AS and Landstuhl   AB. On 27 April 1953, Headquarters, Twelfth Air Force

8100-511: Was the maintenance and flying of the HQ USAFE liaison aircraft. In addition, the Wing was responsible for flying members of the HQ USAFE staff to Air Force and NATO bases throughout Europe. In addition, the 26th TRW was only designated as a flight, because of its small size. It consisted of a mixture of aircraft, including: T-29s, T-33s, T-39s, C-54s, O-2s, H-19s, and UH-1s. In 1971 a detachment of

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