Baza 71 Aeriană Câmpia Turzii (Romania) 2022

In memoriam Laurenţiu KIRU Chiriţă * 1970 † 2010

The suspension of flight operations of the Romanian MiG-21 LanceR after a crash in March and the subsequent decision to retire the MiG-21 on May 15, 2023 moved a renewed visit to Câmpia Turzii to the very top of the author's priority list, after all the last visit there had been four years earlier. While the trip to the "home airfield" after BIAS 2019 had failed because of scheduling problems, the worldwide COVID hysteria had prevented corresponding attempts in 2020 and 2021.

In autumn 2022 – thanks to the kind support of many people involved – the time had finally come. Because BIAS 2022 disappointingly took place without any MiG-21 participation, the planned "grand tour" with visits to the airshow in Bucharest and to the bases at Câmpia Turzii and Feteşti turned into two separate trips to the two locations a month apart. In view of many uncertainties regarding further visits during the MiG-21's remaining service, the author had expressly declared his trips to Romania a farewell tour – of course in the hope of also being present at least at a ceremonial end of service in May 2023 ...

Much has changed since the last visit to the airfield in Transylvania. Not only have extensive construction works in preparation for the introduction of the F-16 literally left no stone unturned – in the wake of the war in Ukraine, security regulations of a previously unknown extent suddenly apply. Visitors are not only accompanied by the press department – as always – but now a security officer is always present as well. And he not only checks every photo but also categorically demands the deletion of every picture showing anything classified as "sensitive" – including many things that had been photographed again and again in previous years, such as the antennas at the edge of the runway, which are shown quite naturally in the pictures of the Plane Spotters Bacău from April 2023.

But never mind, what matters is that the visit takes place. Three days have been planned by the author and confirmed by those responsible on site. And the weather forecast gives hope of good flying and photo weather. Reality then looks somewhat different. While on the morning of the first day the drive from Cluj to Câmpia Turzii still takes place largely in sunshine, disillusionment comes on entering Turda. Dense grey clouds and high fog cover the whole area as far as Câmpia Turzii, and so it was to remain for most of the day. The sun briefly comes out in between, but the afternoon flying takes place mainly under clouds, though no longer as grey and low as in the morning. And flight operations are no longer what they were four years ago either. Only three aircraft – one two-seater and two single-seaters – stand on the flightline.

The second day begins with pouring rain at breakfast in the hotel, but later it improves, and because flying only begins in the afternoon, at least some pictures with sun are taken. And yet: more than once a thick cloud gets in the way of the perfect picture. In addition there is the change of flying direction, which means the photographer repeatedly stands in the wrong place. As a kind of compensation there is night flying – until 10.30 p.m. – and a nice photo position on the tower.

On the third day it looks as if there will be no access at all for the author. But thanks to kind support (many thanks to Adela, who sacrificed her free time, Andrei and Comandor Cosma) the gates open after all in the afternoon, when flight operations are already in full swing in brilliant sunshine, so that the most beautiful pictures of the trip can finally be taken.

Grey MiGs on grey concrete under a grey sky – not a particularly successful start.

Since the tragic crash in March, the LanceR's activities have been limited to training flights and QRA duty – … — Since the tragic crash in March, the LanceR's activities have been limited to training flights and QRA duty – here one of the two alert aircraft.

After the sun has come out, the SOCATs are the first to take off for their circuits around the airfield.

The MiG-21s first carry out taxi tests after a brake disc change, ...

How many more opportunities will the author have to get this close to MiG-21s?

Refuelling is still done in line, but with only three active aircraft this looks much less impressive than … — Refuelling is still done in line, but with only three active aircraft this looks much less impressive than with half a dozen or more as in previous years.

Besides the local MiGs and helicopters, a C-27J from Otopeni also flies its circuits and drops ever new … — Besides the local MiGs and helicopters, a C-27J from Otopeni also flies its circuits and drops ever new groups of paratroopers.

Towards the afternoon the clouds become denser again. In return there is a nice photo position on the tower … — Towards the afternoon the clouds become denser again. In return there is a nice photo position on the tower with a specially arranged flypast, ...

Flight operations on the second day start with sunshine and – as it is already afternoon – with the author on … — Flight operations on the second day start with sunshine and – as it is already afternoon – with the author on the other side of the runway.

The aircraft that then take off, however, do not line up at this end of the runway as expected, ...

... and take off from there. This of course means walking there quickly ...

... to at least get the aircraft optimally into the picture ...

... on landing. All aircraft active that day have a new paint scheme without base and squadron badges.

While waiting for the next round, an IAR 330 repeatedly circles over the airfield, sometimes passing over the … — While waiting for the next round, an IAR 330 repeatedly circles over the airfield, sometimes passing over the runway at a height of only one metre

There are long faces when the take-off direction changes again in the next wave ...

... and the aircraft are already high in the air above the author 's position. — ... and the aircraft are already high in the air above the author's position.

The IAR 330, on the other hand, "flies" so low that the main wheels roll on the runway.

Then the sun gradually disappears behind the clouds ...

... and bathes the last daylight landing – again from the other direction – in golden light.

For night flying it is back up the tower, where landing lights in combination with fresh paint schemes allow … — For night flying it is back up the tower, where landing lights in combination with fresh paint schemes allow one or two atmospheric pictures.

The third day, with by far the best weather, begins – as mentioned – for the author outside the base, where … — The third day, with by far the best weather, begins – as mentioned – for the author outside the base, where at first only a C-130 is flying.

... a little too high for perfect pictures, but still nice to watch.

The C-130 drops paratroopers over nearby Luna ...

... and then lands again right away to pick up the next group.

The last pictures are then taken on the airfield again, ...

... and at close range. As always it is difficult to get the rapidly approaching MiGs completely into the … — ... and at close range. As always it is difficult to get the rapidly approaching MiGs completely into the picture, ...

... but after numerous attempts it finally works perfectly.

The C-130 also flies round after round ...

... and the transport aircraft heads home to Otopeni.

On leaving the base there is finally the opportunity to photograph the hitherto "neglected" 9526, which was … — On leaving the base there is finally the opportunity to photograph the hitherto "neglected" 9526, which was also recently overhauled and repainted.

The author thanks General de Flotilă Aeriană (ret.) Dr. Lian Someşan, Comandor Laurenţiu Mititelu, Comandor Cosmin Cosma, Maistru Militar clasa II Adela Oltean and all members of the Forţele Aeriene Române who made this trip possible.