Romania celebrated the centenary of national aviation, among other things, with an open day at Flotila 71 Aeriană "General Emanoil Ionescu" at Câmpia Turzii on July 18. Although intended solely as a presentation of the unit to the local population, the event turned into a highly impressive show of the capabilities of the Forţele Aeriene Române.
The event was opened with a half-hour display by the local flying clubs, who in their solo and formation flights obviously tried to mow the lawn. At exactly 11 a.m. the hosts take over. A MiG-21 LanceR B two-seater starts with simulated attacks on the local radar station, where "terrorists" have entrenched themselves. After the smoke has cleared, six IAR 330 helicopters approach. Soldiers of a special forces unit rappel down from some of the aircraft, flanked by the other Pumas securing the area. In the background, meanwhile, six MiG-21 LanceR of the A (fighter-bomber) and C (fighter) versions take off. At the same time the elite soldiers advance, supported by two approaching Humvees. Thousands of rounds of blank ammunition are fired from the infantrymen's Kalashnikovs and the machine guns on the combat vehicles as the special forces approach the "occupied" radar station. The "terrorists" fire back. MiG-21s fly close air support, making plenty of use of their flare dispensers. Smoke drifts over the scene, the air smells of gunpowder. Finally it is done: the terrorists are neutralised, the radar station taken. The six Pumas fly away in formation, only to line up a little later in a hover for minutes in front of the enthusiastic audience. Hardly have they touched down opposite the hangar apron when the six-ship formation of MiG-21s races in and breaks up over the spectators. At the same time another MiG-21 two-seater takes off for a solo display. Every time it moves away from the spectators, the other MiG-21s fly over the airfield in threes, twos and finally singly, before – led by the two-seater, which has quickly used up its fuel in its aerobatic manoeuvres – they come in to land one by one. One after the other the aircraft taxi in front of the public, line up there with engines running, which are finally shut down on command.
A short video of the event is available on YouTube.
The author thanks his friend Lieutenant Colonel Laurenţiu Chiriţă for his manifold support in organising the visit and Captain Vlad Cosmin for looking after him on site.