A former Soviet airfield in central Romania could become a hub for U.S. Air Force operations in southeastern Europe, where the Pentagon is seeking added fighter plane rotations as part of a mission to deter Russian aggression.
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2021, which is working its way through Congress, includes $130.5 million to renovate Campia Turzii Air Base in what would be the biggest overseas military construction project under the Pentagon’s European Deterrence Initiative, which was initiated in June 2014, shortly after Russia annexed Crimea.
The Air Force has requested major upgrades at the base, including dangerous cargo landing pads, more parking aprons to supporting additional tactical fighter aircraft squadron rotations, fuel storage and a depot to support a deployable air base system.
“Campia Turzii Air Base is one of the primary sources for United States European Command and its Service Components’ ability to respond to an evolving European security environment,” the Air Force said in its 2021 budget request.
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