BORCEA AIR BASE Home of the Romanian MiG-21 A Photo Report by Frederic Lert Below: A pair of Romanian Air Force MiG-21MF'Fisheds'on the amp at Borcea ai base being pre pared for training fights, omania has a long aeronautical tradition which dates back to 1908 when engineer Trajan Vuia claimed he had successful performed the very first powered fight without assistance from ground equipment. Four years later Henri Coanda, another Romanian native experimented with the firstjet engine. In 1940, Romanian industry produced a wholly indigenous front-line fighter, the IAR 80. Today, Romania stil boasts a very capable aeronautical industry base which produces various types under licence including the Puma helicopter, as well as the IAR 93 which is a version of the Jaguar. The Romanian Air Force or Aviatiel Militare Romane (AMR) currently operates approximately 700 fixed and rotary wing types including a front-line fighter force of 200 aircraft. The AMR has almost 34,000 personnel including 10,000 conscripts. The AMR has eight facilites including the Air Force Base at Borcea, situated near the town of Fetesti, 150 kilometres east of Bucharest Borcea is one of the major bases in Romania and houses a Regiment of MiG-21MF, PFM and RFM 'Fishbed’ versions, along with the last remaining examples of the Hong 5R, which is the Chinese built version ofthe I-28. ‘The Hong 5R retains the twin barrel defensive turret, although the aircraft is used for observation and reconnaissance missions, with two twin-seat version II-28Us which perform training. The aircraft is extremely rare, with those of the Romanian Air Force being some of the last examples to be operated anywhere in the world ‘The MiG-21 Regiment is officially named the Regimentul 86 Aviatie Vanatoare, and wascreated in 1952 when the Russians vacated Borcea. The Fishbed entered service during the 1960s, and thirty years later itis still the most important fighter in the Romanian inventory. The first examples of the MIG-21F were delivered in the early 1960s to replace the MiG-19. The latter type was not popular with either pilots or ground crews, and therefore its retirement was most welcomed. According to the aircrew, the MiG-19 was a difficult aircraft to fly, with many pilots being killed in accidents. The Soviet Union has been the main supplier of weaponry since 1944, with the MiG- 16 becoming the first jet fighter to enter Romanian Air Force service in 1952. The MiG- 16bis followed, before the MiG-17F and MiG- 17PF joined the AMR in 1956. In 1959 the MiG-19 was supplied to Romania, with the MiG-21F arriving soon afterwards. These were replaced by the MiG-21MF, PFM and RFM, with approximately 100 remaining in service, including a dozen two-seat MiG- 21UM versions. The MiG-21 performed the air defence mission exclusively, armed with a variety of ‘ordnance including the AA1 ‘Alkali’ and AA2 ‘Atoll’ air to air missiles. However, the AMR has received a small number of MiG-29 Fulcrums' forthe air superiority role, enabling the MiG-21 to add ground attack and close air supporto its lst of capabilities. For the air to ground role, the MiGs are fitted with rocket pods and free fall iron bombs. In keeping with most of the former Warsaw Pact, the Romanian Air Force flies sorties of short duration, usually of between 20 and 30 minutes. Flights operate within the locality, with sorties rarely venturing far from their home base as pilots are not permitted to perform land away except on the rarest of occasions. The average Romanian fighter pilot flies between 50 and 70 hours each year, which is considerably lower than the 180 minimum flying hours required for their NATO equivalent to remain combat ready. The limitation on flying hours has been imposed due to a combination of a general lack of spare parts, as well as a shortage of aviation fuel. The situation was even worse prior to the Revolution in 1989, with pilots achieving as little as 20 hours each year. ‘According to personnel at Borcea the MiG. 21 requires the pilot to be physically strong as there is much human effort involved. tis not uncommon for aircraft to be flown at 6 or 7G during routine flights to achieve a successful tun. Young pilots are taught basic AIR POWER INTERNATIONAL AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1996 Above: MiG-21MF serial 9612 departing Borcea fora local tain- ing fight Most sorties last be- tween 20 and 30 minutes, and are restricted to operating within the locality ofthe home station. 19