Ministry of National Defence of Romania

02/09/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/09/2023 02:38

Ten more citizens repatriated with Romanian Air Force Aircraft

Ministry of National Defence continues to act in support of the citizens affected by the recent earthquakes produced in Turkey.

Thus, Romanian Air Force aircraft repatriated during the night of 8/9 February ten more Romanian citizens, two of which being children. The citizens were embarked in Adana and Malatya airports.

The number of repatriated persons with the MoND aircraft, since February 6th up to present, amounts to thirty-one Romanians and two Polish citizens.

Yesterday, on February 8th, three Romanian Air Force military aircraft - a C-130 Hercules and two C-27J Spartan aircraft, alongside two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft of the Strategic Airlift Capability from Papa Air Base, Hungary, airlifted to Turkey a RO-USAR rescue team, medical personnel, search and rescue equipment and bare necessity goods.

The flight with C-17 Globemaster III aircraft was requested by the Ministry of National Defence, through the Joint Forces Command, as part of the flight hours quota allocated to Romania, as a member state of the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability.

The three Romanian military aircraft began their airlift missions to Turkey on Monday, February 6th, when they transported the equipment and the first RO-USAR rescue team, made up of General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations specialized personnel qualified to intervene in such situations.

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According to the Decision of the National Committee for Emergency Situations no.4 as of 8 February on the augmentation of the provision of free international assistance to Turkey, Ministry of National Defence, at the request of the Department for Emergency Situations, will also conduct airlift missions for the transportation of the personnel, material and means of equipment provided by other states which offer support to Turkey - under the aegis of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism - but do not own these capabilities.

Romania continues to meet is international commitments, remaining a partner in solidarity with the states which face major emergency situations.